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Mess Media
monitors, analyzes and corrects media reporting errors and bias concerning messengers and couriers.


Messenger Institute
 for Media Accuracy






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From Scorchers to Alley Cats
The Amazing History of the Bicycle in Toronto


From Scorchers to Alley Cat Scrambles

The Market Gallery in partnership with the Community Bicycle Network is proud to present the fascinating history of the bicycle in Toronto through personal histories, compelling stories and beautiful old bicycles. From Scorchers to Alley Cat Scrambles chronicles how the bicycle has influenced the social, political and economic life of Toronto residents since 1869. The exhibit runs from May 20 through October 1, 2006.

From Scorchers to Alley Cat Scrambles will tell the story of the revolutionary changes to transportation in the city and how the bicycle contributed to improving our roads, liberation of women and modernizing consumerism, tourism and professional sport... and that's all before 1900!

The exhibit will feature select items from the collections of the City of Toronto Culture Division, Museum & Heritage Services, The Canadian National Exhibition Archives and the Toronto Public Library. It will also highlight collector Lorne Shield's exceptional collection of historic bicycles, posters and ephemera. Mr. Shield has been a collector for nearly 40 years and recently donated much of his collection to the National Science and Technology Museum in Ottawa. This exhibit represents the first occasion that items of this scale and quality have been gathered together.

The Community Bicycle Network is a community-based bicycle organization with the goal of promoting and stimulating healthy, active, and neighbourhood-friendly sustainable transportation initiatives within the City of Toronto. Among their award-winning programs are BikeShare, an innovative community bicycle-lending program, and Wenches with Wrenches, a series of bicycle-repair workshops run by and for women.

The Market Gallery offers changing exhibitions dedicated to Toronto's history, art and culture as well as educational programs for school groups and adults. Located inside the South St. Lawrence Market, in Toronto's oldest neighbourhood, the main gallery occupies the 19th century city council chamber which is all that remains from the City Hall that stood on this site from 1845 to 1899.

Admission is free to the Market Gallery on the second floor of the South St. Lawrence Market, 95 Front St. E. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Friday 10 am - 4 pm, Saturday 9 am - 4 pm and Sunday 12 pm - 4pm.

More information at CBN

The History of Toronto Bike Messengers


 


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