Civility on Wheels

Rightwing media often present urban cyclism as a "war on the car" by rabid youth. This plays to the conservative demographic of car-driving, suburban, business-as-usual voters. The Toronto Cyclists Union is now reversing the spin by handing out thank-you cards to attentive and considerate drivers.

CBC Metro Morning, The Toronto Star, and NOW have been telling the positive story. TCU Executive Director Yvonne Bambrick says, “This summer has been filled with sensational headlines about conflicts between cyclists and drivers. What people often forget are the thousands of commuters who arrive safely, and without incident, to work, school and home every day. It’s time to encourage positive behavior and find a way to reward those people who use [our] roads with respect.”