교통

자전거 과속 주행 시 벌금 $50
Speeding cyclists flying into the radar



Bylaw officers are cracking down on cyclists speeding along Calgary's pathways, but one biking activist says the campaign should also target pedestrians who "wander along like cattle at large."

Officers will be patrolling pathways and pulling out radar guns to nab cyclists riding faster than the speed limit or without bells.

Bill Bruce, Calgary's director of animal and bylaw services, said the move comes in the wake of daily complaints about dangerous cyclists.

"We're still seeing some problems," Bruce said Thursday.

"Now it's time to add some consequences."

Tickets for speeding or not having lights after dark come with a $50 charge.

Officers handed out 400 warnings and 500 free bells over the past month as part of an education campaign.

Officers have preferred to remind people about the rules before hitting them with a fine, Bruce said.

Stewart Midwinter, who sits on the executive of Bike Calgary, an organization with 600 members that promotes cycling, said the crackdown is unfairly targeting those on two wheels when it comes to keeping pathways safe.

"It's just another example of picking on the cyclists and not dealing with the totality of pathway users," he said.

"A lot of pedestrians on the pathways wander along like cattle at large. They walk five abreast, go all over and aren't aware a cyclist could pass them."

Midwinter agreed with the move to ticket cyclists speeding in crowded areas, but said other quiet pathway stretches should be left alone.

Bruce disputed Midwinter's argument, saying officers will also be reminding pedestrians to share the pathways.

"This isn't an attack on cyclists," he said. "Anyone who says it's trivial, I would say go talk to a parent whose child has been seriously injured by a cyclist."

Those using the pathway around the lunch hour Thursday had mixed reactions to the campaign.

After James Frail got a warning from officers for going 28 km/h, he said he thought the speed limit was too low.

The speed limit is 20 km/h, except in heavily congested areas like Eau Claire, where it is 10 km/h.

"It's very difficult to ride that speed. I can almost run that speed," said Frail.

Wayne Weber, on his mountain bike for his weekly ride, said he thought officers were doing a good thing.

"Some people don't realize that people are afraid of being on the pathway, of what's coming up behind them," he said. "I've startled a few people with my bell."

"I haven't found any problems during lunch hour," Jeremy Barretto said as he was out for a jog. "During the morning rush, it can be a bit of an issue."

"Sometimes some guys go a little quicker," said jogger Philip Sun of his cycling counterparts. "They should slow them down somehow."


** BICYCLING LAWS

Here are some of the cycling-related regulations Calgary bylaw officers are enforcing

- Obey the speed limit on pathways, which, unless posted differently, is 20 km/h.

- Have a working bell on your bike to alert people you're passing them.

- Have working lights on your bike and turn them on after dark.

- Wear a helmet if you're under 18 years old.