SIDEWALK CYCLING EDUCATION AND ENFORCEMENT INITIATIVE
In 2003 the Cycling Advisory
Committee passed the following motion in order to reduce sidewalk cycling:
That the Cycling Advisory Committee recommends that the Transportation and Transit Committee recommends Council and the Police Services Board to support a sidewalk cycling education and enforcement campaign to be carried out by Transportation, Utilities and Public Works Mobility and Area Traffic Management and Ottawa Police Services.
Transportation and Transit Committee and
Ottawa Police Services Board subsequently passed this motion.
In August two blitzes were undertaken in
partial fulfillment of this initiative. (This is an ongoing initiative and will
be carried out during the next traditional cycling season.)
On August12 Stella Val and Diane Dupuis
worked with two officers from traffic enforcement at the corner of Sparks and
Bank Streets. Nine tickets were issued. One warning was issued to tourists from
New York. On this occasion tickets issued were based on Highway Traffic Act
(HTA) infractions.
On August 25 Diane Dupuis worked with two
officers from the bicycle patrol at the corner of Elgin and Sparks Streets.
Again nine tickets were issued. One warning was issued to tourists from British
Columbia. On this occasion tickets issued were based on city of Ottawa by-law
infractions.
The blitzes lasted approximately one and
one-half hours. Each ticket and warning issued was accompanied by an
information package consisting of a brochure on the dangers of sidewalk
cycling, a share the road brochure and a list of cycling skills education
courses. With one exception from each blitz the information package was
accepted.
We discussed carrying out the next blitz
during the morning rush hour. We also discussed looking at different locations
such as the Cummings Bridge. We may also want to consider keeping stats on how
many people choose not to sidewalk cycle because there is a police presence.