Photo by Whitehorse Star
Pictured Above: DAVE PRUDEN
Bicycle bylaw bans spectre of unilluminated cyclists
Cyclists who take to city roads after dark must now have a headlight and red taillight on their bikes.
Cyclists who take to city roads after dark must now have a headlight and red taillight on their bikes.
The change is one of several adopted in the new bicycle bylaw, which passed third reading and was adopted by city council Monday evening.
The new bylaw replaces the former bicycle bylaw which was adopted in the 1970s and amended only a couple of times over the years to legislate helmet use, bike lanes and other details.
Helmet use and rules around bike lanes remain in the new bylaw with other regulations, including that:
• only those under the age of 12 be permitted to bike on sidewalks, and that there be no biking on sidewalks in the downtown central business district between Wood and Elliott streets and Front Street and Fifth Avenue;
• riders not wear headphones in both ears;
• bikers provide reflectors or taillights for bike trailers and not exceed the manufacturers occupancy limit;
• motor vehicles that are turning yield to bicycles, not park in a bicycle lane and not pass bicycles unless there is a metre of open space between the car and the bike;
• motor vehicles are not allowed to be driven in a bicycle lane downtown.
The bylaw also outlines the powers of an officer to stop anyone riding a bicycle and impound the bike for up to 10 days or until charges are laid if the rider fails or refuses to "produce identification to the satisfaction of the officer”;
• or, after a charge has been laid, if the officer "has reasonable and probable grounds to believe that there are safety concerns associated with the continuation of such breach.”
Further, a bicycle that is impounded shall not be released until identification has been provided and all fines and impoundment fees paid.
Fines under the bylaw have been hiked to between $50 and $300 depending on the breach.
The bylaw was passed Monday after a number of amendments were put forward and passed around minor wording changes and definitions.
Council had deferred third reading of the bylaw earlier this month to deal with a number of concerns emerging from council members.
A council and senior management meeting was held prior to this meeting, with the amendments coming out of that.
Under questioning by Coun. Jocelyn Curteanu Monday night, bylaw manager Dave Pruden told council that, as with all new bylaws, an education campaign will precede any strong enforcement efforts so the public can become aware of the rules.
The city's pamphlet will be updated, with the new regulations highlighted.
Along with making them available at city facilities and local bicycle shops, Pruden said there's also a plan to hand them out at key areas during busy commuting periods.
Before voting in favour of the new bylaw, Coun. John Streicker noted the many ways commuters travel now and the high possibility of potential conflicts between cyclists, vehicles and pedestrians.
So it's a good time, he said, to promote cycling in a safe way that minimizes the danger of those conflicts.
Meanwhile, Curteanu voiced a reminder that the rules of the road for cyclists are not limited to the city's bicycle bylaw.
As she pointed out, it's also important for cyclists to know the territory's Motor Vehicles Act and adhere to those rules as well.
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Comments (25)
Up 11 Down 5
Elsie Picwick on Nov 7, 2013 at 5:02 am
Whitehorse needs to be safe for bike riders, and this is not that complicated. In my experience bikers are very accommodating to other people on the road and trails.
On the other hand Whitehorse drivers need to be reeled in! I support many comments here about the bad driving habits in this city. These comments remind me of recent observations of people who run lights in town.
A few days ago I saw people run red lights every second time I was stopped at an intersection with lights. This is a serious issue which bylaw needs to address. In many cases these reckless people entered the intersection well after the light had changed to red.
Up 6 Down 4
Max Mack on Nov 6, 2013 at 1:25 pm
I suppose we should insist that bicyclists register and insure their vehicles (bikes) and pass an online course to be eligible to drive within city limits.
Why not? Operators of motorized off-road vehicles are now required to by "law".
As for being required to yield to city buses by "law" (because it somehow magically encourages public transportation), I think we can encourage non-motorized transport by requiring all motorized vehicles to yield to bicycles and pedestrians.
After all, that's "good for the environment", right?
What CoW needs is more rules and, more importantly, bigger fines? Right?
Up 15 Down 12
Atom on Nov 6, 2013 at 8:26 am
Ron Black....so there was an out of towner (probably a farmer from Iowa eh?) got hit by a car, one time, sometime? And there have been some close calls for you on your bike on the streets...where cars are licensed and registered to drive...
Very weak continuation of ATV, etc., being dangerous to walkers....it's not good policy to just say things are bad, it makes you look bad and folks won't take you seriously.
It has to be common knowledge that a bicycle is no match for a car or truck in a collision....what's with all the biking on the roads in winter? Bikers should get over themselves and walk....it's just as fast in winter.
Up 8 Down 6
Arn Anderson on Nov 6, 2013 at 6:39 am
The more laws a government passes, the trust gap widens more between populace and their masters.
Up 24 Down 7
Time to play by the rules on Nov 6, 2013 at 5:39 am
Cyclists do ride side by side, they ride during the iciest seasons even. It's hard enough to try to drive safely without being worried that one patch of black ice could cause you to slide and harm anyone including yourself let alone a cyclist. It's hard to respect or have patience for the numerous cyclists putting drivers in nerve racking situations due to them not accepting any responsibility for their actions.
ATVing on the dirt road side paths just past Crestview I once had a cyclist block my way and tell me I had no business being on that path and that he wasn't going to stand for it anymore, this is "their trail". I thought the designated biking lane on the highway was your trail, my apologies, not.
I agree they need license numbers so they can get called in, that would bring to light how dangerous and ignorant these folks really are. (Most, not all)
Up 15 Down 4
Mike Pearson on Nov 6, 2013 at 5:30 am
Josey Wales
Nice post and its nice to see the comments expanding into related concerns because the common denominator is safey in this town.
I am not a climate alarmist or an ATV or sled hater but I feel they do not belong on city streets and city trails.
I recently read that ATV companies are operating like the tobacco industry did for many years. They know there are serious safety issues with young ATV drivers and that these heavy machines offer no protection to people when rollovers occur. They have known this for 25 years and done nothing as they aggressively market these vehicles.
In this town, city councilors will candidly refer to lobby groups the merchants who sell these vehicles to justify their use in the city.
Please consider lost income and intensive hospital treatment and the social effect on the families of people killed or maimed when using these vehicles.
Other countries and many international and provincial medical associations have and some have estimated the cost of accidents over a short time period run into the 100's of millions of dollars.
The COW should take a stand and say they will not react to pressure from local merchants and they want no part of a tobacco industry like conspiracy. What is next?- the right to hunt and discharge firearms in town as long as you are 75 meters away from a house. Why?- because local merchants say gun sales are up and people are complaining the price of gas is high and they should not have to leave town to hunt? Or, liquor sales are increasing every year so council has decided the bylaw needs to be revised so people can have open liquor, drink while driving, and drink on our streets.
Back to bikes. Whitehorse bike lanes and the Millennium Trail and local trails are among the best in the country. Let's keep it that way, promote safety and be safe in this town.
Up 17 Down 8
Ron Black on Nov 6, 2013 at 4:38 am
Atom
There has been serious injuries and at least once death when pedestrians were crossing Second Avenue.
One newspaper actually said something to the effect the victim was from out of town and did not realize how dangerous it is to cross this particular Whitehorse Street.
On a bike I have had too many close calls on Second that I avoid it. Fourth is similar and generally, the downtown is bad.
Up 10 Down 13
woodcutter on Nov 6, 2013 at 4:32 am
Do we really need more bylaws? Is this a process of increasing the city revenue and getting more bylaw officers?
Growing up we had no helmets or lights we did stunts and jumps. We all grew up and have kids and grandkids now. I do not buy the "safety issue" It's more about council and bylaw looking to be smart or protect their jobs.
When will we get a council that tells our bylaw folks "keep out of peoples lives and personal business " .
If I was mayor, I would strike all these meddlesome bylaws from the books, lay off most of the bylaw folks, we only need a few for watch the meters and catch the odd stray dog. The savings could go to reduce our property taxes.
Geesh, do we really want a police state in Whitehorse?
Up 16 Down 2
Josey Wales on Nov 5, 2013 at 1:44 pm
Some great points in this thread in regards to the "bike problem" we deal with.
Oh yeah and the traffic problems... public safety problems...balllooning government problem...leftist zealot problem...fascist right problems...blah...blah...blah.
So folks with those but for a few examples, somehow bikes having illumination devices is getting everyone's panties in a twist?
As many have stated currently there "appears" to be virtually ZERO enforcement of a myriad of societies real laws...neverfreakin'mind civic by-laws.
And even if there were some enforcement of said breaches of societies laws, the courts would/do/strive to water it down.
I've bleated it before folks...matters not what laws are on the books, nobody will be there with any teeth to enforce it as we sure seem to be on our own out here.
Ride single file...and you'll live awhile...to always smile.
ride abreast...you may die like the rest...needlessly that is.
Up 7 Down 15
yukon1973 on Nov 5, 2013 at 9:19 am
Ron Black,
while tragic, that story wasn't at all relevant to the discussion here, what with the lack of bicycles and/or pedestrians involved. Oh, and from what I recall there were no sidewalks, trails, bike helmets or downtown streets involved either.
Up 31 Down 3
Frank on Nov 5, 2013 at 8:03 am
A couple of decades ago people in Whitehorse drove much slower and were more respectful to bikers. There was no need for any special bike rules; you just drove safely by the bikers out of respect for their safety.
About 15-20 years ago people drove impaired on sleds between houses and areas around town. It was the preferred way to get from one drinking place to another late at night. The difference between then and now is that the sleds were driven slowly and safely.
Aggressive driving I think stems from watching too much TV and the lack of physical exercise in jobs today. Years ago men knew they were fit and they were much more confident than men today. No need to stunt and be aggressive with trucks, sleds and ATVs. The emasculation of men has led to the proliferation in aggressive drivers and sales of big toys. Stop watching too much TV, get fit and stop driving like you are in a second rate movie.
Up 8 Down 18
Atom on Nov 5, 2013 at 6:18 am
Ron Black....poor taste to include with no evidence and completely off your argument.....you weren't speaking about someone's safety while on a machine. Your argument is how unsafe (without providing any basis) atv's and sleds and cars, etc. are to pedestrians and trail walkers....if you could be a little open minded regarding motorized vehicles you may realize the sky is not falling.
Up 20 Down 5
Charles on Nov 4, 2013 at 2:57 pm
Welcome to post WW11 COW. Lights on bicycles? What a novelty and about time.
60 years ago when I was a school kid in UK, it was mandatory to have front and rear lights. A new bike meant a trip to buy D cell batteries and lights. Cheap and easily attached. No lights: beware the 'Boys in Blue!'
Later, most street bicycles came with manufacturer built in pedal driven dynamo lights. We didn't have bike lanes, but we survived in heavier traffic than COW, because we had to obey same Rules of Road as everyone else.
40 yrs ago in COW bicycles were a summer pursuit when it was daylight. The year round bicycle community has grown in recent years, but if ridden on a public road a bicycle is a vehicle and should require lights & obey ROR. Why has this taken so long when daytime driving lights have long been required for MVs in YT, but bicycles after dark in COW were OK? Congrats COW even if better late than never. Also agree with other posts re 2 abreast bicycles.
Up 25 Down 14
Just Say'in on Nov 4, 2013 at 2:12 pm
Every walker, skier, snowshoer, in this town figure all the trails are theirs and theirs alone.
As a forty two year resident of this town I can tell you almost every trail was built in the 60's and 70's by Motorcyclists and Snowmobilers or mining exploration. As for cyclists on the highway, the cars should cut them some slack. They should be visible but the drivers need to lower the rhetoric because when you hit one you will be charged with manslaughter and you will have to live with it.
As for in town, the bike lanes should not be on 4th and 2nd but should be on third and fifth. You can not ride in a bike lane with parked cars on your right with the potential of opening doors. When necessary bikes should use the sidewalk. A collision between a bike and a walker is far better then a bike and a car. As for the trails in the bush when you hear someone coming use common sense and get out of the way for a second.
Up 8 Down 33
Mike on Nov 4, 2013 at 5:38 am
I'd love to see 2nd and 4th turned into one ways...
Up 22 Down 9
Ron Black on Nov 4, 2013 at 4:46 am
Atom
A very recent court case.
The driver of a sled says he was not impaired but had been drinking; somehow impaired driving could not be proven by the crown and the case involved a plea bargain.
Unfortunately his passenger was thrown off the sled and tragically died.
Up 22 Down 23
Atom on Nov 3, 2013 at 4:15 am
Ron Black...Please provide some stats on the accidents that have happened.....I don't recall hearing of any atv or sled running anyone down.....please deal with your issue of motorized intolerance and wear a helmet
Up 32 Down 6
Not Enough Safety on Nov 2, 2013 at 3:14 pm
Many recent bylaws (cycling, ATV, and skidoo) give the appearance the city is doing something creative and positive when that is just not the case.
As previously posters have disclosed, public safety continues to be a major concern. It's even unsafe to cross 2nd Ave at a crosswalk with the lights flashing because Whitehorse drivers are too aggressive. This occurs within a block of City Hall. Driving patterns in this town are terrible. Where is the enforcement?
Many of the new bylaws give the appearance we are moving forward but with little enforcement, it's dangerous to cross a street, and walk on many sidewalks or on many local trails.
Public safety should start with vehicles on city streets and include ATVs, skidoos and bikes. For bikes, it really should be a matter of providing bike lanes, separation from traffic and enforcement that makes more vehicle operators drive safely. Bikes are seldom a safety issue for pedestrians, yet this seems to come up in many posts!
When you have skidoos sharing sidewalks with people walking with their children, ATVs illegally using the Millennium Trail and most other trails within the city, you have a city which does not provide adequate protection for people out walking with their children. It's very sad and the accidents we all want to avoid are almost predicable; this is because many of the city bylaws are poorly conceived and enforcement is not able to ensure the safety of residents.
Up 21 Down 8
Not enough indeed on Nov 1, 2013 at 12:35 pm
I think this is really more of a roads bylaw. Bylaws dealing with bicycles ought to promote safe cycling and encourage people to bike.
I feel a lot of this is irrelevant and that increasing bike lanes and DRIVER education as well would be much more beneficial. The purpose of this legislation was to keep up the appearance of 'doing something' while really doing very little to keep cyclists safe except encouraging common sense.
Up 24 Down 7
enforcement on Nov 1, 2013 at 10:21 am
@ Not Enough:
Illegal driving offenses are not even addressed in this town - how do you possibly propose to enforce your proposal for plating cyclists. Speeders, light runners, cell phone talkers/texters & stunters, aggressiveness, and impaired people (ALL IN VEHICLES) are not even pulled over - and they all have plates. While I get your point and don't disagree with sticking a plate on a bike for a nominal fee...we cannot even control what is already a significant issue in town with respect to motor vehicles. You speak of futility...you'll find yourself even more frustrated with your proposal I suspect in the long run (unfortunately).
Up 43 Down 20
Denise G on Nov 1, 2013 at 7:32 am
About time.
Every cyclist should also have to have insurance.
When I was a child living in Ottawa every cyclist had to have a license plate for their bicycle ($3 a year) and pass a test concerning the rules of the road before getting this license. They also had to have a light and reflectors, a horn or bell, and a rear view mirror. In 40 years all of these common sense safety measures have just disappeared and yet there are more bicycles on the road.
As for the person who will continue to ride on the sidewalk although they are older than 12 (in time passed maybe) - if you don't feel safe on some roads then dismount and WALK your bicycle on the sidewalk. You do not have the right to endanger pedestrians.
Up 47 Down 21
Not Enough on Nov 1, 2013 at 7:27 am
Did I miss something here? When are bicycles going to start being required to have liability insurance the same as any other vehicle on the road? Also number plates so unsafe/ illegal biking actions can be reported and tracked down with the bicyclist being held responsible the same as any other driver?
For example it's pretty futile to report, 'The guy in the red shirt on the silver bike that blew through the stop sign and caused a collision between vehicles that were trying to avoid hitting him'.
Up 31 Down 21
Bill Winter on Nov 1, 2013 at 3:51 am
I agree with Ron.
Our streets and trails could be much safer for bikers and people walking and people just trying to safely cross the street. Many bikers need to take their safety more seriously by not riding side by side and by using reflective clothing during winter months.
The Millenium Trail has many illegal ATVs on it which seems very unsafe for all other users. What is it?- 1,000,000 users over 3 years and the city cannot stop dangerous use by ATVs on their flagship walking trail. What's with our council and bylaw?
People are responsible for their own safety to a great extent when riding bikes and much more needs to be done to get impaired drivers and people using cellphones off the road.
Up 27 Down 44
Ron Black on Oct 31, 2013 at 9:08 am
I will continue to ride on some sidewalks downtown.
It's too unsafe to be on many city streets due to speeding, dangerous driving and too many impaired drivers- Its just not safe.
Outside town on the trails it's safer most of the time except when there is drinking and driving and impaired driving. Its far more common than it should be.
Overall, it's really unsafe on city streets and trails.
Up 61 Down 22
Dustin on Oct 31, 2013 at 7:40 am
I hope that side by side cycling gets a $300 fine... How I hate it when on a narrow road such as the road to the floatplane base I see multiple cyclists riding side by side in stead of single file.