With the recent cyclist tragedy, near Bloor and Avenue Road, burnt into the minds of Torontonians, the motorist vs. cyclist debate is on once again. Regardless of which side you may agree with, neither form of transportation will disappear from the streets of Toronto any time soon. Although the facts from Monday's incident aren't exactly clear just yet, the notion of safe biking in the cycling has definitely emerged.

Maintaining your bike is a no-brainer. The brakes, chain, gears, etc. should all be checked and in good working condition. Trust me, you don't want to find out you have no brakes going down a steep hill. Unfortunately, as a child, I learned the hard way. Once you've made sure your bicycle is road worthy, it's time to worry about urban utility biking.

Most people downtown aren't biking for recreation; they're biking with an objective in mind. Whether it's getting the groceries, or meeting a friend for coffee, the bike is simply another mode of transportation. As safe as someone's bike can be, the cyclist must always remember that there are other road hazards that can pose a threat. The following is a list of the top five bicycle hazards in our city.

While waiting for the bus in forty-degree weather, I kept reminding myself that I would be in air conditioning soon. Cold air conditioning on a TTC vehicle is just as rewarding as an ice-cold beer on a hot day. I didn't have to wait too long. Thankfully, it came as scheduled. After boarding, I glanced around and saw a lot of shiny faces. Commuters were fanning themselves left, right, and centre. There seemed to be no air conditioning circulating. Before sitting down, I went to open a window and discovered it had been nailed shut - on an almost brand-new diesel/electric hybrid.

Union Station will finally get its long overdue remodel after years of talk. The 640 million dollar renovation is scheduled to take place over the next five years and is funded by city, provincial and federal governments. Go Transit has even chipped in 172 million, along with VIA Rail who put in 25 million to upgrade passenger lounges. The new station improvements come after approval from City Hall earlier this week - with an outstanding 35-1 result.

With the preliminary planning completed, final details about how the Eglinton Crosstown LRT will operate are being solidified. Right of way, street level noise, and construction are just some of the issues that are keeping the project from completion. I have a strong feeling that this proposed route will cause a lot of controversial debate and anger in Toronto over the next few years.

There's no doubt that the St. Clair LRT has caused many headaches over the last few years -- in terms of construction and implementation. So much so, that in 2005 construction was brought to a complete stand still. The issue was quickly resolved, but lasting effects among local businesses and residents still exists. Now that the St. Clair line is under control, the focus has shifted to Eglinton.

At almost 25 kilometers in length, the 501 Queen is one of the TTC's longest routes. It is definitely one of the quickest ways to see much of Toronto in a few hours. As a kid I remember telling my parents that I was going to play at the park with friends. Once there, we would pool all the money we had and catch a ride on the 501. We weren't going anywhere specific; our eyes just wanted to see the city we never had the chance to see on our own. And it didn't matter that it was through the window of a streetcar.

Looking back at those experiences, I can't say it was the safest activity to do as a child, but it's certainly one that I'll never forget. Now that there's a resurgence of the idea of splitting the route into two, I'm not complaining. Although the trip is visually stimulating, there can be severe delays. If you've ever tried to use a schedule on the 501, you'll quickly realize how unreliable it actually is.

VIA Canada has begun to cancel long haul trips in fear of stranding passengers across the country. The company has ensured that customers already en-route or departing before the strike deadline will reach their destination by "train or alternative means." If VIA Rail workers don't reach an agreement by noon Friday, all services will be halted indefinitely.

The railway remains in talks with Teamsters Canada Rail Conference union, which represents the 340 engineers who are threatening to strike. Negotiations are currently ongoing with a mediator in place which was sent from Ottawa in an attempt to avert a strike. I am hoping that this will resolve the situation quickly. The union has been without a contract with the Montreal-based firm since December 31, 2006.