We Have Bike Lanes But Still Have Cyclists On Sidewalks

Let's start enforcing the Highway Traffic Act with cyclists with the same passion as it is enforced against motorists and I will bet there are more jaywalking tickets than tickets for improper cycling.

War Between Cyclists & Drivers Heats Up With Good Weather
Monday May 28, 2007

There are all kinds of natural enemies in the world - cats vs. dogs, Liberals vs. Conservatives and Leaf fans vs. Senators supporters. But of all the opposing forces that you contend with every day, few appear to produce the same vitriol as the one between motorists and bike riders.

The situation is especially intense in the always busy downtown core, where there simply isn't enough space for everyone who wants to squeeze by. Drivers complain cyclists don't obey street signs and traffic lights and are too militant on their two wheels. Bike riders counter that those behind the wheel are in too much of a hurry and refuse to share the road with their less powerful counterparts. And never, it would seem, the twain shall meet.

Mayor David Miller is encouraging Torontonians to trade in their four-wheels for two and participate in Bike Week, but many avid cyclists complain there's just not enough bike lanes to make riding downtown safe. There are currently 370 kilometres of bike lanes in Toronto and the city plans to add more before winter. "Our goal this year is to get 30 new kilometres of bike lanes designated throughout the city for the pretty good even spread east, north, south and west as well," said Adrian Heaps, Toronto Cycling Committee.

Relevant Links:

Check out what the Ontario Highway Act has to say about the penalties for a host of infractions.