Cyclists being fined on Pathways

[mr.steevo]

Hi,

Today I saw about 5 police talking to cyclists on the pathway along the Bow River. CBC 1 reported that police are targeting cyclists for speeding on pathways and will be handing out tickets to those going over the posted speed limit (20 kp/h?).

Yesterday I heard Gordon Stewart - Director of Transportation & Infrastructure encourage commuters to take alternative transportation to work, including cycling.

What is the message?

s.

[MichaelS]

The message is cycle to work, but obey the speed limits.

[mr.steevo]

At 20 km/h?

s.

[Calgarian]

Seriously? how many people have speedometers on their bicycle? this is just another cash grab masked as public safety.

[kw5150]

They should really be on 17th ave watching for speeders.

I go a little bit faster than 20 on the trails, but when I am passing someone I slow down for respect.

[You Need A Thneed]

20km/h when there is a bunch of pedestrians around? Sure. But who cares how fast bikers go when there is no one around.

If the paths get busy enough that going over 20km/h is dangerous, then it's time to build a separate path for bikers, or bike lanes, or something.

20km/h is ridiculously slow for someone trying to commute.

[sim]

I wonder what would happen if a person got off of their bike and just started full out sprinting past them. Would you get a ticket then as well?

This is one of those "laws" if you will, that was meant to be broken. Ridiculous.

[Innersoul1]

Bottom line boys is that our paths currently accomodate, walkers, runners, roller bladers and cyclists. As a result speed limits need to be in place to keep everyone safe. I recognize that 80% of cyclist/roller bladers ride in a manner that makes other users feel safe and comfortable but there are 20% who have no clue.

Until we have a double path system( one section for walkers and runners and one for bikers and bladers) speed limits need to be enforced.

On a side-note I was recently in Seattle doing some walking and riding. The bikers are awesome there. they always yell out "on your left" when passing and are avid users of their bells. Until this is normal in Calgary I think the police are out there to do their job.

Steevo, to use your argument it's like the director transportation and infrastructure encouraging people to use public transport and then all the busses speeding. There are rules for a reason...not trying to be a dick

[Rusty van Reddick]

I see people using bells/"on your left" in Calgary constantly. Been using my bell nonstop.

[You Need A Thneed]

I always use my bell when coming up behind people. That's why Bells are mandatory on bikes in Calgary.

[Innersoul1]

Originally Posted by You Need A Thneed

I always use my bell when coming up behind people. That's why Bells are mandatory on bikes in Calgary.

I appreciate that both of you use the bells and call out. But there are a lot of people who don't

[mr.steevo]

Originally Posted by Innersoul1

Steevo, to use your argument it's like the director transportation and infrastructure encouraging people to use public transport and then all the busses speeding. There are rules for a reason...not trying to be a dick

Hi,

I don't have an argument or a point. Just stating what I see.

There is one side encouraging the use of alternative transportation and another side enforcing a speed limit that discourages use of that type of transportation.

My opinion is that 20km/h is too slow for commuting. To further what you were saying, would people use busses that only drove in 30km/h zones?

And no, you're not being a dick.

s.

[Radley77]

If I plan to be travelling faster than 20 kmphr I am on the streets.

Pedestrians are much more erratic than cars and would hate to be in a messy cyclist\pedestrian accident at 30 kmphr. Travelling at high speeds on a pathway is dangerous for myself and the pedestrian, whereas driving at relatively low speeds on a street is more just dangerous for myself, with more minor damage potential for vehichles but would also results in losses in overall efficiency of the road system.

[mr.steevo]

Hi,

What are your thoughts about a cyclist\automobile accident at 60km/h?

s.

[Innersoul1]

Originally Posted by mr.steevo

Hi,

What are your thoughts about a cyclist\automobile accident at 60km/h?

s.

Typically the automobile wins

[freeweed]

We need dedicated bike lanes in this city, especially for commuters. End of discussion.

[Radley77]

Originally Posted by mr.steevo

Hi,

What are your thoughts about a cyclist\automobile accident at 60km/h?

s.

I choose my route based on what speeds I need to travel. If I'm under 20 kmphr or slow, I will use a pathway, if I'm travelling between 20 kmphr to 50 kmphr I will use a road that is similar speed to that.

I would not cycle commute on a daily basis on a road that has a speed limit of 60 kmphr. I don't have the ability to cycle that fast and it just seems to dangerous.

[Aegis]

I have a spedometer on my bike, and I can say from experience that 20 km/h is very slow for cycling. I can keep up a normal speed of steady cycling at around 30 km/hr. I understand a 20km/h limit on shared pathways, but on dedicated cycling pathways 30 is more reasonable. That being said, there are times when 20 km/h is unsafe, even if it's permitted. Common sense should prevail!

I think it would be far more valuable to enforce the wearing of helmets than speeding. I think its far more unsafe to ride a bike on the street without a helmet, than it is to go 25 km/hr on an off-street bike trail.

I don't think pathways are covered under the provincial highway act. Could someone fight a speeding ticket based on lack of appicable statute or jurisdiction?

[Jimby]

I got pulled over for speeding down the last part of the big hill on the bike path in Sandy Beach.
The By-law Officer who jumped out from behind a tree sapling with his scary looking radar gun gave me a stern talking to and made me cry because of my sordid life of crime. The radar penetrated my aluminum and lead lined helmet and damaged my brain waves. I cope with my SSP therapy.

[mr.steevo]

Hi,

I went past the area where police were stopping cyclists the other day. There is a sign on a post that said "10". I'm assuming that means km/h. I'm not certain but I would expect that is a slow jogging speed.

s.