PERSONAL I am a life long…

PERSONAL

I am a life long rules-of-the-road cyclist. I've ridden 95% of my cycling on roads in traffic following the rules of the road. I've been a competitive, recreational, and commuter cyclist. Although retired, I am still active, riding a bike being my preferred means of transportation. My total life time of bike travel approaches 500,000km. I HAVE NEVER BEEN KNOCKED OFF MY BIKE BY A MOTORIST.

I have been active in the Ottawa cycling community since 1987 when I joined the Board of Citizens for Safe Cycling (CfSC). As a volunteer, I assisted the organization's delivery of the national CAN-BIKE cyclist education & on-road training program. During ensuing years I've been an advocate for the legal rights of cyclists. In 1994, I led the successful campaign to rescind the then Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton's single file cycling by-law. I convinced members of Regional Council that riding in a group side by side is safer than in a long single line.

From 1997 to 2003, I served on the Board of the Ottawa Bicycle Club. As Touring Director from 1997 - 1999, I wrote policies including it's group riding instructions which still exist today. I was elected President 2000 - 2003.

Based substantially on my own extensive safe cycling practices and from study of Ontario's Highway Traffic Act, I have a different point of view from both sides of the current public discussion over Premier Ford's plans for bike lanes.

I AM NOT A FAN OF BIKE LANES IN URBAN AREAS.

Bike lanes are not only inconsistent with the Highway Traffic Act (sections 141(2) Right turns and 148(5) Passing) but, with few exceptions, they do not belong in urban areas where every intersection and driveway is a potential turn conflict point. Bike lanes offer a false sense of security by channeling cyclists to the right of right turning vehicles into what is known among knowledgeable cyclists as the "hook zone". On an approach to an intersection (or driveway) it leads cyclists into the blind spots of turning trucks, buses, and other motor vehicles. Such has led cyclists to be seriously or fatality injured. Essentially, in these lanes, cyclists are treated by municipal engineers as "pedestrians on wheels" , despite the fact that sidewalk cycling is a very high risk practise.

On the other hand, bike lanes - as implemented technically in the form of paved shoulders - make sense on high speed rural roads and highways where intersections and driveways are few and far between, and where vehicles turning tends to be infrequent. Existing paved shoulders however need to be upgraded to the level of bike lane standards particularly at intersections.

EDUCATION OF CYCLISTS ESSENTIAL. MOTORIST NEED EDUCATION UPGRADE TOO

Missing from the current media and public discussion is the responsibility of cyclists to acquire the skills and practices to stay safe on a bike. The Netherlands, like much of Europe, is often cited by bike lane activists as a "cycling paradise" even though bike infrastructure makes travel inconvenient for all modes. Regardless, the Netherlands requires all children in middle school to learn how to ride in traffic and to obtain a certificate of compliance by the age of 12.

Also missing is the responsibility of motorists to acquire a better understanding of cyclist legal rights to the road, including respect for cyclist positioning in vehicular lanes. (* 1st supporting link -Vehicular Cyclist). Education of cyclists and motorists should be the Province's number one priority, yet neither the Ministry of Education nor the Ministry of Transportation assume much responsibility for such critical safety programs. As a consequence aggressive driving, characterized by threatening motorist behavior, such as verbal abuse and blasting of horns, results in cyclists being intimidated into riding at the far edge of roadways - a high risk place to be where Illegal and dangerous close passes are frequent.

SUMMARY

Similar views to mine are articulated in a July 11, 2023 Ottawa Citizen article by a Canadian national cycling instructor (* 2nd supporting link below). She states, "Education is critical for mutual understanding, safety and respect. Contrary to what many motorists believe, the Ontario Highway Traffic Act (HTA) treats a cyclist as a driver of a vehicle. It is the adherence to this principle that makes the HTA the best possible framework for protecting the safety of cyclists".

I AGREE