Written by FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Safer Cycling Starts with Cyclists
Saskatoon, July 11, 2011 – Saskatoon Cycles would like to remind cyclists throughout Saskatoon to practise safe and courteous cycling on shared used paths and to be alert and obey the traffic rules while navigating city streets during the summer season.
“Every day I see cyclists who are not paying attention to their surroundings, not following the rules of the road, or just cycling in an unsafe manner” says Saskatoon Cycles President Sean Shaw. “While we believe these individuals are a minority, they make it less safe for the majority of cyclists who get around our city in a safe and courteous manner” Shaw adds.
“Obeying the traffic lights, using your bell when passing pedestrians, signalling your turns, cycling on the proper side of the roadway, and just being aware of your surroundings are common sense ways that cyclists can make it safer for themselves and the pedestrians and motorists around them”, says Miranda Jones, a Saskatoon Cycles researcher.
Saskatoon Cycles would also like to remind motorists to be aware of cyclists on our city streets and to treat them like any other vehicle. “Motorists need to be aware of cyclists, give them room while passing, and understand that they have the right to be on the road”, says Cathy Watts, a year-round bike commuter.
“As more and more people take to cycling around Saskatoon, especially in the summer, it’s extremely important that everyone – cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists – do their part to make our roads and shared-use pathways as safe as possible” says Shaw.
Saskatoon Cycles reiterates that the separation between motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists is the best long-term solution to creating the safest conditions for all modes of transportation. This solution is dependent on the City of Saskatoon investing to improve the safety of its cycling network and developing a long-term plan to fund cycling infrastructure throughout the city.
Saskatoon Cycles – Safer Cycling For All
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To schedule an interview, contact:
Sean Shaw – 370-7429
Robert Judge – 244-3788
Cathy Watts – 664-3908
info@saskatooncycles.org
www.saskatooncycles.org
I Agree that following the rules and regulations is critical for cyclists. As you are no doubt aware the majority of cyclist/motorist incidents that are properly investigated are in the majority, the fault of the motorist. In the case of the “shared use facilities” that motorists and the police themselves seem to think we should use there are no viable regulations to govern the populations that use them. Pedestrians are freely erratic, Runners while more in control are no more aware of their surroundings at times, Skaters and Boarders are much faster and less able to stop, Cyclists are fastest yet but usually have breaks and are watching as best they can. I have been part of all those groups excepting boarders. Cyclists wishing to go fast really do not belong there for their own safety and that of the others
The solution is not separation of vehicles but proper enforcement of existing regulations and education of the police. Every lane is a bike lane.
The single minded focus on creation of cycling ghettos to the exclusion of other serious advocacy efforts does a disservice to the cycling population. Safer cycling starts with everyone following the rules of the road, the police realizing that vehicles are vehicles regardless of what powers them and real cycling advocacy.
Bran,
I am not sure what you imply by creation of cycling ghettos. I have not heard this term used before.
There is ample evidence that separation of bicycles from motor vehicles works very well. I agree that proper cycling behaviour and education are key but I do not feel these alone will make cycling safer and encourage less-confident cyclists to use their bikes more often.