Police Trap : For Cyclists?

Today I had a few errands to run around 3 30, and to my surprise, there were cops arresting and ticketing cyclists for riding on the walkway across the Osborne Bridge. I've never seen it before.

Luckily I always ride on the road, but I saw at least 2 cyclist being detained (probably getting tickets). I was quite surprised, considering I've always thought that would be a pretty low priority on their list.

They run a cyclist trap regularly at that location.

It should be low priority but I guess they have to enforce all the laws from time to time. I actually sympathize with cyclists at that location. Traffic is insane and the bridge is tight. Perhaps cyclists will have to ride on the road like they are supposed to or walk their bikes over the bridge.

anny wrote:They run a cyclist trap regularly at that location.

Funny. I've never noticed them before.

grumpy old man wrote:It should be low priority but I guess they have to enforce all the laws from time to time. I actually sympathize with cyclists at that location. Traffic is insane and the bridge is tight. Perhaps cyclists will have to ride on the road like they are supposed to or walk their bikes over the bridge.

Yeah, it's about time we emulated Calgary, and built more cycling trails.

lol. We can't even use our rollerblades on the sidewalks here in Trieste...
(The cops run after you... and besides, the sidewalks are already full of illegally parked cars...).

Nah. Cyclists should just drive cars. Or take the bus. Or walk. frick 'em.

Maybe cyclists should go to CA for rehab...
(cyclists anonymous)

I wonder what would happen if all cyclists went to fight the ticket and claimed that it was life threatening to try and drive on the street?

I suppose cyclists are simply supposed to dismount on bridge sidewalks, but I would have difficulty walking my bike the whole length of the Disraeli Freeway twice a day.

I know that it's illegal, but I feel like they should post dismount signs on bridges like that where cyclists don't feel they can take the road. Then it wouldn't feel so sneaky for them to ticket cyclists all of the sudden.

Maybe what they should do is allow cyclists to use sidewalks on one side of a bridge and pedestrians the other. Short term solution until all cyclists can afford cars...

A cycling-friendly lane might be a good idea. It could be like we have it at the skating rinks at our community club. One rink for sticks, one rink without.

I wonder what biking over the disreli was like before they realized they should pave it? that must have been crazy.

If it was not paved before it must have been hell for the cars as well.

Biking over the Disraeli is actually fine, I find. The lanes are wide enough. Salter's good too. Osborne is NOT.

I really enjoy cycling. Good exercise, faster than a bus, and all it costs is time and effort! I'm pretty confident about taking a lane when I need to.

grumpy old man wrote:If it was not paved before it must have been hell for the cars as well.

I cant remember where I watched a clip? something that Mr C or Mr P had found and posted maybe? But yeah it was more then a little loud.

I'm still upset that the city didn't designate that old railroad that was dismantled 10 years ago as a bike path. It would have made the perfect commute from River Heights right through to Red River College. I guess giant parking lots for big box stores like future Shop and Best Buy take precident over cyclists.

You guessed right. How many cyclists are there out there anyway? We have 8 months where cyclists are not to be seen. And four months where a few peek their heads up. Let them pay the same taxes, insurance and licensing fees I do and then maybe we can consider some "special" lanes.

Where else do we pander to a decided minority? Hmmmm.

anny wrote:
Biking over the Disraeli is actually fine, I find. The lanes are wide enough. Salter's good too. Osborne is NOT.

The Osborne bridge seems ill-designed imo. They should have narrowed the center median and accomodated bikes with the extra space....PLUS had a barrier between the cars and bikes/presbyterians for safety.

But ticketing cyclists is just another money grab imo, and not about safety. Poor use of resources.

Come on GOM...I know you're just playing "devil's advocate" here.

I'm glad to hear they are finally ticketing cyclists...though they should be focusing on Portage Avenue from Main to Arlington before they worry about a silly bridge.

I find it funny that there's big signs on Portage sidewalks that indicate "no skateboarding"...yet cyclists think it's ok to put larger vehicles with wheels amongst the pedestrians.

Maybe they'll start cracking down on these idiots who insist on riding the sidewalks. On my way to work today, I took 3 riders off the sidewalk myself...and put them out on the street where they belong.

Next time you are approaching the Osborne Bridge take a good look and you will see the no bike signs posted. And the lanes going over that bridge do have a small lane with solid marking, similar to the lane marking on the Maryland Bridge by the Mis so there shouldn't be an issue. I agree with ticketing cyclists if there is marking like at this bridge, along Portage Avenue, etc. But I also would like to see motorists ticketed if a police officer were to see a motorist endangering a cyclist by not giving the proper distance to pass - change lanes if there are no cars in the lane next and if not possible to change lanes, minimum of 3 metres. Maybe then the motorists of Winnipeg would begin to have some respect for those of us who commute by cycle and understand that we are just another form of road transportation.

I agree with you there Holly.
I always give as much room as possible for cyclists riding properly.
It's their lane...they are in front of me.
I wouldn't ride up and push a motorcycle off the lane...why would I push a bicycle.

Nah, not devil's advocate. Sh1te disturber/playful.

grumpy old man wrote:Nah, not devil's advocate. Sh1te disturber/playful.

Same thing

Although I think I'll now call you Puck.