Great idea
re setting an example Ann.
Some
things we might need clarified by agreement with Police Services:
-Does
the Highway Traffic Act require that we ride
single-file in any and all traffic conditions? I’m sure a lot
of police officers would say that, strictly speaking, we are required to ride
single file. Not a lot of fun on a group ride. I’m also sure that most police
officers (OPP and local) would not enforce this as long as we’re not impeding
traffic or otherwise creating hazards. Do we go by the law or by the way it’s
applied?
What would constitute “impeding
traffic”?
-The
Highway Traffic Act requires that bikes be
ridden “as close as practibale to the right
hand curb or edge of the roadway”. Most Police Services interpret
this to mean you can be far enough out to avoid gutter drains. It would be
great if all of us and all the police officers had the same understanding so we
could set that example.
-The
HTA also requires that bikes being overtaken “turn
out to the right” to allow the other vehicle to pass. Does
that mean going right to the curb, or what?
-
I can’t find it in the Act right now, but I’m sure the HTA allows a
cyclist to “take the lane”
when safety requires that. Do we have a common understanding of when
safety requires taking the lane? Some would say that includes any time there is
no separate bike lane provided. Most police officers would consider it permissible
only under more specific circumstances.
-Again,
I can’t find in the HTA what
constitutes a full stop by a bicycle? In some jurisdictions you are
required to shift your weight to a foot on the ground. We’ve talked to CK
Police about getting a change in law allowing what’s called the “
-Bikes on sidewalks: The CK bylaw requires
that all bikes with wheel circumference greater than 50 cms
(just under 20”) stay off sidewalks, but many of our main streets (Grand,
Lacroix, McNaughton, Queen, Richmond, Keil, Park Ave, etc) are by Ministry of Transport standards
and also in the opinion of many citizens unsafe for bikes. This may not be an issue
for most of us, but would you encourage a ten-year-old with his new 26”
cruiser or granny with her shopping tricycle to ride in traffic on those
streets? On the other hand we have recently had pedestrians
iinjured by bike on sidewalks. We have proposed a new
bylaw that would allow bikes on sidewalks on streets that don’t have
cycling-supportive road infrastructure, with provisions to protect pedestrians
sharing the sidewalk. Police Services accepts this idea as recognition of
realities, but Traffic Engineering flatly rejects it. What do we do?
-Passing too close: A meter’s clearance
(three feet in the
You
can probably think of other examples that need clarification.
The official police position has to be
that they enforce the laws they are given.
That’s their legislated
requirement. Operationally, they expect officers to exercise judgment in that
enforcement. That’s great, but it leaves you subject to the judgment of
whatever officer happens to be on the scene. What is let pass a hundred times
can be called and prosecuted time 101.
We’ll
never get rid of all ambiguities in this situation, but we can clear up
misunderstandings and find a lot of common ground by sorting out these questions with Police Services, and then following Ann’s
good suggestion of setting an example
Regards
John Sigurjonsson
Member Services
Cycle Chatham-Kent
519-352-0883
-----Original Message-----
From: ckcycle-bounces@lists.ncf.ca
[mailto:ckcycle-bounces@lists.ncf.ca] On
Behalf Of Ann McKenzie
Sent:
To: Chatham-Kent Commmunity
Cycling Group
Subject: Re: [CKcycle] Moving
Forward.
Well Written James:
Moving Forward....
So what can we do?
I'd like to suggest that we can move the educational
process along ourselves. We can be proactive by setting an example for
our fellow cyclist and motorist. We are a very visible presence in
our community, going out in numbers as high as 30, sometimes more. We
have the opportunity to teach by example. By being consistent in how we
conduct ourselves on the road, weither we are in a group or cycling on our own
, can educate the public. And we can do it without red tape.
Follow the rules of the road, consistently.
People will learn far more by seeing the process in action then they will ever
learn from a poster. Public Education,by the city, wll eventually catch
up with us. Unless we can ride faster :)
Ann
From: James
Lively <jalively@cogeco.ca>
To: ckcycle@lists.ncf.ca
Sent: Fri, July 30, 2010 10:02:50
AM
Subject: [CKcycle] Moving Forward.
Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Because this is the discussion
we're having.
Do we need bike lanes, do we need bike racks, do we need education? Yes, yes
and yes but which should come first?
And it all depends on the rider and their purpose.
For the Active Transportation cyclist, safe and secure parking is essential.
However, if the rider doesn't feel safe on the road, the racks will go
unused as no one will ride. Likewise, if the rider can't find a safe and
secure place to park, the lanes won't get used.
John, despite you assertions about where the Tues, Weds, Sun groups ride,
many of us ride to and from the departure point through the urban setting,
as well as riding to and from work. Doesn't this constitute AT? Likewise our
recreational routes take us through the urban setting, for example the full
length of King Street. So when it comes to roadways, there is no distinction
between an active transportation cyclist and a recreational cyclist. Why
we're riding on the road is irrelevant. The fact is we're there and we have
to provide for everyone's safety, pedestrian, cyclist and motorist.
And in all of this education, for cyclist and motorist alike is essential.
Maybe the ACSC has been a little slow in getting this of the ground, but
we're also dealing with funding issues requiring us to get approval from
City Council before we spend any funds. The large displays are just the
start of the education process. But I would ask that in your conversations
with CKPS, you ask them to be part of this process. If they see a cyclist
disobeying the traffic rules, they should stop and educate them. Maybe in a
few months, they could then start issuing tickets. The same scenario as the
cell phone ban. I know people still use them while driving, and many
cyclists will continue to disobey the rules, but that shouldn't be an excuse
for doing nothing. And if they see someone riding wreaklessly, on the road
or sidewalk putting others in danger, no questions, issue the ticket.
And finally, as I have pointed out many a time, the comparison with Europe
is comparing apples to cabbages. When gas hits $3/litre, when the annual
road tax hits $500 (that's what my father-in-law just paid in the UK), when
it takes 1 hour to travel the full length of Lacroix, Sandy's, Orangewood
because of traffic congestion, when parking is at a premium due to lack of
space then you'll have a fair comparison. If you look at Canada's major
cities which are investing heavily to encourage cycling as an alternative;
Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, you see that the last two issues, congestion
and lack of parking are the case.
And fixing Chatham-Kent is going to take time. We're 10 to 20 years behind,
we're not going to fix it in 10 weeks. You know the plan is a 20 year plan.
Now we've started, we've got to keep moving forward. Arguing which should
have come first, the chicken or the egg, is not the way to do it!
Discussing what comes next, bearing in mind everyone has a different opinion
for different reasons and respecting those opinions, is.
James.
-----Original Message-----
From: ckcycle-bounces@lists.ncf.ca
[mailto:ckcycle-bounces@lists.ncf.ca]
On Behalf Of Daniel Brousseau
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 3:32 PM
To: Chatham-Kent Commmunity Cycling Group
Subject: Re: [CKcycle] pull up display
John,
Sorry to say but I don't agree with all your statements...
As stated in the meeting where Matt, James and I where... a Bike Rack is
the least of the riders concerns. It's all about education as with no
education they won't come out.
The police department here in Chatham is just a joke in their dealing
with the rules of the road with cyclists and cars...
The LAWS are there already in place to enforce SAFE Cycling but they
just opt to ignore them and only enforce them at their discretion.
Also note that our Sunday/Wednesday rides do not consist of just
starting and leaving from one location... we do stop at various
locations and sometimes leave our bikes leaning against a wall. This
does not stop us cause there is no bike racks.
So again, Bike Racks & Bike Lanes/Paths will not get more people out if
they feel unsafe to even be on the road/sidewalk(Kids Only) so they can
get to them. Don't forget there are MANY EMPTY Bike Racks here in the
Chatham area. So putting more in won't help on getting more cyclists
out.
Also this discussion is about the poster in it self and where they
should be placed. This is where the Cyclist of this group come into play
as you would be surprised how many also cycle as a mode of
transportation but also drive a vehicle. So we know both side of the
coin on this topic.
I know John you have this great envision of what Chatham-Kent should
turn into but it won't happen over night. That is why Education is your
most important factor in this planing... Mostly when your local police
force is just a farce on enforcement of the Moving Violations.
When I got pulled over on Grand Ave early summer for "Going to fast"
then changed to "Taking to much room on the road". I was hopping he
would try and fine me... this way it would of been a foot in the door to
show them local officers that the law is the law and can't just apply it
at their discretion.
Yes it can take as much time to fine a cyclist just as a automotive
driver... but still the rules are the same for both.
Same Roads, Same Rules, Same Rights
John Sigurjonsson wrote:
Some super ideas in this discussion of driver/rider education and its
great to see CK Cycle Community take an interest in cycling advocacy.
There is unspent budget from a grant for the educational program in 2010
so a lot of ideas are affordable this year but may not be next year.
When considering what should be done to promote cycling in Chatham-Kent
be aware that the primary community benefit from Active Transportation
comes from replacing motorized trips with people-powered trips. So the
ACSC needs to create conditions that attract cyclists ranging from the
ten year old commuting to school (instead of being Chauffeured by mom)
to granny with her shopping tricycle. These cyclists are very different
from the average member of ckcycle. For example:
Their cycle routes are urban, not the
rural roaming ckcycle
does on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings..
The purpose of their trip is
utilitarian - get from A to B
to work, shop, play, etc.. They enjoy the ride but the primary purpose
of the ride isn't recreational. So they want direct routes to their
destination without having to make detours to find low-traffic routes.
They are not comfortable in traffic.
They need bike lanes or
paths separated from motor vehicles. We're trying to get those built.
They need end-of-trip facilities
(e.g. secure bike racks).
It might be nice if your Sunday breakfast stop had decent secure racks,
but otherwise it's probably not an issue for your recreational rides
that basically begin and end at home. For utilitarian riders who are
going to park the bike where they work, shop, play tennis, attend
classes etc secure parking is an issue.
If these folks in Chatham made the same percentage of their trips by
bike as is done in some European cities, we would have about 10,000
bikes on Chatham streets at rush hours. Wouldn't that be something to
see!
Regards
John Sigurjonsson
Member Services
Cycle Chatham-Kent
519-352-0883
-----Original Message-----
From: ckcycle-bounces@lists.ncf.ca
[mailto:ckcycle-bounces@lists.ncf.ca]
On Behalf Of Josette deBrouwer
Sent: Monday, July 26, 2010 11:27 PM
To: Chatham-Kent Commmunity Cycling Group
Subject: Re: [CKcycle] pull up display
They should be visible at all municipal info centres and other municipal
properties, especially arenas. Also, how about the drivers licence
bureau (whatever that is called) and car dealerships? Like Geoff, I had
three incidents on one ride along hwy 3 west of Blenheim on Sunday. Not
fun.
On 10-07-26 4:12 PM, "James Lively" <jalively@cogeco.ca>
wrote:
As we were riding along on Sunday, I was asked about the bike signs on
the roads. Here's the first information going out to the public. Let me
know what you think as this is a first go, and I'll take your comments
back to the Active Communities Committee.
Thanks
James.
Hello everyone. This pull up display (x2) will be placed in the
Wallaceburg and Chatham Libraries for the month of August. (a bit too
large for the other Libraries), then they can be relocated elsewhere as
needed. There will also be a similar, accompanying poster on the wall -
with the informational tear off sheets. Please advise if anything needs
to be changed. We wanted to keep it light(meaning not too many words) -
focused on the Share the Road and the two different road signs. It is
intended for an adult audience.
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