Heavy enforcement undermines Bike ‘Friendly’ initiative

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On Friday morning I was issued a $110 ticket by a City of Guelph Police officer for riding my bike against the posted one-way sign on Carden Street. I don’t object to the officer calling me on my infraction — fair enough. What bothers me is the inflexibility in enforcement and the level of the fine. I believe this enforcement blitz, which I am told originates from your office, is totally counter-productive to the aims of the Guelph Bike Friendly initiative.

I am not opposed to some enforcement, but let us employ a bit of reason. The City will drive people like me off our bikes and into our cars if this continues. Twice over the weekend, in fact, I had the need to pop into town for one thing or another but did not have time to walk. Knowing what another error on my bike would get me, I left my bike at home and drove the 3 minutes into town. It just seems easier and less risky. And I resented it both times. I normally ride my bike all over this city. Bicycle is my preferred transportation option. This kind of enforcement not only puts a bad taste in my mouth, but it reduces the advantages of riding a bike while considerably increasing the financial risk.

I admit that I push the traffic rules on my bike from time to time and have consequently developed some habits that should be corrected, but I am at all times very conscious of safety and as considerate as I can possibly be toward pedestrians and motorists. Case in point was my experience with this ticket. So quiet was Carden Street at the time of my infraction that the police officer stood with me in the middle of the street while he issued my ticket. In fact, he even called another cyclist over from across the street and against the posted direction of Carden Street to issue him a ticket as well. The irony of the three of us standing in the middle of Carden Street (rather than on the sidewalk) on the pretence of receiving fines to promote safety infuriates me.

Still on this safety versus enforcement theme, in this climate of zero-tolerance I was very disappointed to hear from the officer that, while bicycles with wheels of 20″ (?) or smaller are allowed on the sidewalk (presumably to make cycling safer for children??), there is no provision for larger-wheeled bicycles (of parents) to accompany them. So, I am told, if I were to ride my bike into town with my children, they could ride on the sidewalk but I would have to be out on the road with a line of parked cars between us. I like to ride close to my children so I can make sure they are being safe, courteous to pedestrians, mindful of motorists at intersections, etc. If I am out on the road, I will be watching my children and not traffic, and my children will be out of my range of supervision. Enforcing this with the zero-tolerance I have experienced would put my children, pedestrians on sidewalks, me, and motorists who encounter me at MORE risk than if I were riding with my children. Until either it becomes clear that this aspect of the traffic code will not be enforced or my children are old enough to ride in traffic, the is NO WAY I will be going down town on bikes with my children. If we have time we will walk. Otherwise we will drive.

I agree with your office’s assessment that bad cycling (including cycling on sidewalks) is dangerous, and I would go a step further in arguing that reckless cyclists are a major problem in terms of creating an atmosphere where the idea of more bikes on our streets receives widespread support. A warning and a stern talking to would make me think twice about HOW I ride around the city. But the kind of enforcement I experienced discourages cycling altogether.

Toward encouraging cycling, I ask that the City please:

(1) instruct the City of Guelph police to use some discretion in enforcing traffic rules among cyclists, erring on the side of education and public engagement and using a heavy hand when safety is actually at risk and/or cyclist behaviour is truly irresponsible;
(2) revise the sidewalk cycling by-law to allow parents to accompany their children cycling on sidewalks (at least until more bicycle lanes can be established; and

(3) post regular updates on guelph.ca/bike and in the Tribune about enforcement trends and areas of leniency prior to implementing any enforcement blitz.     RC

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