Bicycle issues in Winnipeg

I was taught to stop at the stop sign itself...in line with it.

If you stop past it, you have already failed to stop at it right? I believe that you'd fail your test if you drove past the sign.

Quote from the highway Traffic Act.

Bicycles on sidewalks
" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">145( Subject to subsection (9), no person shall operate on a sidewalk a bicycle with a rear wheel the diameter of which exceeds 410 mm.

Exception to subsection (
145(9) Subsection ( does not apply to a sidewalk that is marked by a traffic control device permitting the operation of a bicycle on the sidewalk.

S.M. 1989-90, c. 56, s. 14 to 16; S.M. 1996, c. 26, s. 15; S.M. 2004, c. 30, s. 19.

North End couple works hard to get a transportation co-oridor going. Efforts seem to have paid off
http://www.canstarnews.com/page/story/the_times/3867

the cost? not much at all... the benefit? one hell of a lot.

Interesting - I got told off the other day by another cyclist.

Why? Because I was too far out. I think his actual words were "If you're going to wear headphones, you shouldn't be that far out from the curb"

Two problems with that:

a) The distance I ride from the curb and the fact I wear headphone are not related whatsoever.

b) I ride ~ 1metre from the curb, which is the recommended distance.

I told him if he wanted to suck curb that was his choice, but don't expect me to do it. In the discussion that followed, he was pretty convinced that cyclists chould be close enough to the curb that cars can pass them in the same lane without having to move over.

That in my opinion, is wrong and actually more dangerous than riding far enough out that a car needs to shift into the next lane to get around you.

of course, he was in full kit and riding a fixie - so he must know best!

A) What is a "fixie".

And two) You should probably not be wearing headphones if they in anyway restrict you from hearing me behind you, cursing and honking my horn.

grumpy old man wrote:A) What is a "fixie".

And two) You should probably not be wearing headphones if they in anyway restrict you from hearing me behind you, cursing and honking my horn.

a) fixed gear road bike

b) Nope - don't have them loud enough for them to restrict my hearing of vehicles.

c) If you're in that much of a hurry - make a lane change and go around me. On my route there are usually 2 other lanes available for you to do that.

I'm never in a hurry. I just like honking and swearing.

grumpy old man wrote:I'm never in a hurry. I just like honking and swearing.

Well, if it was me and you honked and swore, you probably would have remembered, as I always return the favour ( 100+ db air horn is handy!)

There are plenty of areas in the City when you should be on the sidewalk for your safety! One that come to mind is the Main Street Bridge , if that is its name, that connects Main street to St Boniface. I am sure their are others. I don't ride a motor bike or a regular bike any more! I would like to, though!

Wearing headphones when driving or cycling is just dumb, but I do agree about taking up the entire lane. I basically travel in the path where the right tire of a car would be, forcing anyone wanting to pass the change lanes rather than try to squeeze by.

St Norberter wrote:Well, if it was me and you honked and swore, you probably would have remembered, as I always return the favour ( 100+ db air horn is handy!)

I used a tire iron myself.

You used a tire iron on GOM??? Well, at least that explains a few things.

Nah, never hit anyone - most backed off before I had the chance. Of course, behaviour like that led to a few stints in anger-management classes...

So I was out for a nice ride yesterday. Went from my home in the north end to St Vital Park and back. Going southbound on the Main Street Bridge over the Assiniboine River there is a dedicated diamond lane that is for buses and cyclist 24/7 (not just rush hour) so I am entitled to that whole lane. Cars are not allowed in that particular lane at all, they have a right hand turning lane to get onto River Ave. On the second bridge going over the Red River on both sides there is a bike lane that is seperated from the bus lane by a concrete baracade.
I too ride in the ride hand "wheel" lane so that vehicles need to change lanes to pass me. I have had a few instances where I have actually kicked a car that was too close to me and I will comment to drivers who insist on crowding me out at a red light. If have the courtesy to stop at the end of the line of cars, give me the same courtesy and stop behind me, don't pull up beside me and think that I will wait for you to go ahead.
As far as wearing head phones while cycling, I beleive it is still illegal to do so but it is no more so a problem than having your car stereo blasting with the bass soooo loud that the windows on the vehicles in front and beside you vibrate. You just have to be that much more aware of your surroundings. Plus they also prevent me from getting an ear ache from the wind.

yeah yesterday would have been a beutiful day for a ride like that.

Deank wrote:yeah yesterday would have been a beutiful day for a ride like that.

Yeah, yesterday was a beautiful day....

But I'd rather go for a ride along a nice bike path instead of riding along in the cement jungle!

I'm just nit picking!

holly golightly wrote:
As far as wearing head phones while cycling, I beleive it is still illegal to do so but it is no more so a problem than having your car stereo blasting with the bass soooo loud that the windows on the vehicles in front and beside you vibrate. You just have to be that much more aware of your surroundings. Plus they also prevent me from getting an ear ache from the wind.

I don't have them loud enough to drown out the cars.I used to wear only one in the right ( away from traffic) ear. I find that it doesn't make a difference if I am wearing one or two. I've actually heard that depending on the design of your helmet, you can actually hear less because of the wind redirection from the helmet than from wearing earbuds.

And your ears don't get sore from the cold wind!

FlyingRat wrote:And your ears don't get sore from the cold wind!

Actually when it is colder than -5, I wear a snowboarding helmet that has ear pads (the pads have speakers in them). That keeps me ears nice and toasty!

So...it hit me yesterday that AutoPac pays for the "60-Second Driver" commercials.

And cyclists ARE drivers...so why not have AutoPac address the issue? They have tonnes of extra money .

So...I sent them this message today...we'll see what they respond with:

60-Second Driver
I see you have a couple of Cycling Safety tips listed in your 60-second driver and Safety Columns.

Why isn't more done actually TARGETING Cyclists as vehicles on the road?

Is it because they don't pay insurance so don't fund the process?

How about reversing it and look at the education saves AutoPac money because cyclists learn the rules and therefore reduce the risk of incidents with motorized vehicles?

The 60-second-driver should have a few videos made targeting cyclists and what THEIR responsibilities and rules are to follow.

Even if it just teaches a few riders what the rules are...it will help improve the view of cyclists by motor vehicle drivers exponentially.

Here are a few suggestions to pinpoint for a good 60-second Driver video:

1) STAY OFF THE SIDEWALKS - Sidewalks are meant for pedestrians, disabled vehicles, maintenance vehicles, and a brief dismounting point to lock up a bicycle. (unless posted as a "shared" sidewalk with pedestrians)

2) CROSSWALKS ARE FOR PEDESTRIANS - Too many times cyclists are seen pushing cross-walk buttons or using the amber-lighted crosswalks. If they choose to use this, they must WALK their bikes across the street.

3) BICYCLES ARE VEHICLES TOO - and must follow street signs, driving lanes, traffic lights. No running through red lights, or passing vehicles stopped at a light. Get behind the last vehicle in line and "wait your turn".

4) SIGNAL INTENTIONS - A motorist cannot "guess" what a cyclist is going to do. Signaling is EXTREMELY important, not for the vehicles the cyclist CAN see, but for those who may be in a blind-spot or unanticipated.

5) ROAD SAFETY - Cycling in poor weather, low light conditions, etc. require certain extra precautions. High-visibility gear, helmets, lights, reflectors are all components of a safe rider. Certain items are REQUIRED for riding in low-light (at night), while others are just highly recommended.

Perhaps this could be a series of commercials? But should start playing the last week of April/first week of May to get the attention of the cyclists as they start bringing their bikes out. And again as the "Bike to Work Day" approaches.

AutoPac should also encourage the city to post signage along major routes (and busy sidewalks) which indicate bikes should remain ON THE ROAD and OFF THE SIDEWALK. They have them for skateboards on Portage avenue...they should have the same kind of signs for bicycles...and enforce the rules more.

Kudos!

Well said!

I especially liked the part at the end....you know...actually enforcing the rules would go a long way. While it's not MPI's responsibility to enforce the HTA, they can put pressure on the powers that be to step up cycling enforcement.

The city's idea of cycling enforcement is to have cops on cycles.

ugg.. but when they do crack down on cyclists.. they freak out.

I will never forget the sight of that dumbass cop crouched and hiding behind a signal box waiting for cyclists to go through the stop sign in front of Balmoral Hall.

Pathetic. Simply pathetic.

Deank wrote:ugg.. but when they do crack down on cyclists.. they freak out.

That's true of any particular group experiencing a "crackdown".....no?

but their wharbagl is so much more painful to listen to.