I support the idea of a…

I support the idea of a cycling network linking Ontario communities and enhancing the cycling tourism business.I believe in order to be successful and provide positive results for both cyclists and motor vehicle operators, the shoulders on all selected roads should be paved and marked as cycling lanes. The would also need to be a maintenance program developed to clear overgrowth and road debris so lanes are kept clear and hazard free. This will provide safety to cyclists by creating a barrier to aggressive drivers, not wanting to give way to slow moving vehicles. The paved shoulders will also allow for steady traffic flow reducing driver impatience caused by slow moving vehicles. The combination should result in far fewer altercations and in worst case scenario, vehicle/bicycle collisions resulting up to and includIng death. As an avid cyclist who obeys the highway traffic act, I have had and seen far too many close calls due to driver impatience or ignorance by not providing a safe passing space to a cyclist . I have also seen a large number of cyclists using the road allowance incorrectly, to try and protect themselves from aggressive divers .Paved and labelled shoulders would reduce both sets of behaviours and provide a mechanism to meet the 3ft law now in effect for vehicles passing a cyclist.

[Original Comment ID: 209183]