However, for some reason, there is a sign posted at the start of the hill dictating that cyclists must leave the road and proceed up a very narrow uneven path, often used by walkers and runners. Forcing the thousands of cyclists who use these roads up that narrow path is a recipe for disaster and way worse than the current sharing of these roads.
For some reason, the RCMP has taken to forcing cyclists off the road to that path. One has to wonder what suddenly prompted the RCMP, who one can imagine have a lot on their plate, to focus on this issue, but also to potentially increase the danger and risk to cyclists and pedestrians seeking to use the road to UBC and to Marine Drive.
In fact, it has been noted that the path to the side of the road does not even meet the Ministry of Transportation guidelines for a path shared by cyclists and pedestrians.
Cyclists have the same rights to the roads as cars, and we have to make our voice clearly heard in this regard. We the citizens are the ones that pay for the infrastructure and we must not be bullied off it. Pass this around, post on your FB page or Twitter.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
October 2, 2014
October 2, 2014
I have been reviewing the feedback regarding the hazards presented by the path at Spanish Banks. The accounts of near misses you have provided remain the strongest evidence that this policy requires immediate review by local authorities.
Reached 100 supporters
September 30, 2014
18 Comments
I've been riding on the Road up Spanish Banks Hill since I came here in 1958 and still do.I once tried riding the path which is a bit of a nightmare when there is Foot Traffic.I have never had a problem with Traffic,in fact we used to have some Bike Races way back then with no Traffic problems,to say there is a danger is absolute ''B.S.'' I think the RCMP should take care of more important issues which I don't need to mention,I've run into some issues with Rookies (RCMP) and often wonder how they got into the Force!...RIDE ON CYCLISTS!
I would like to challenge the RCMP as to why this is a great idea, when it condtradicts the City's desire to have cyclists ride on the road safely, and not on the sidewalks which are (and should remain) reserved for pedestrians, dogs, strollers etc.
This is absurd . I ride up Spanish Banks road regularly and never has there been even a hint of a problem with a motorist !
Cyclists have the right to use roadways, as long as they as far to the right as is practical. This section of roadway is extremely popular for road cyclists, connecting the beaches to the Marine Dr. bike lane around the perimeter of UBC. The sidewalk is used busy as well with many people walking between UBC and the beaches. Numerous triathlons use this section of roadway as part of their cycling route. I have ridden this roadway many times, and have walked on the path next to it. If cyclists were moved off of the road here onto this crude path that was never intended to be shared by cyclists and pedestrians, it would be very dangerous for all involved.
Considering the amount of cyclists that use this road, if they really think that it's an issue, the city should look at expanding the sidewalk and moving the barrier over to create an open bike lane. Having said that, they would need to make sure that the bike lane was not itself separated from the road with it's own barrier, otherwise due to the varying speed of cyclists, it would also be unsafe and most people likely wouldn't use it. I've also never heard of any cyclists having issues with cars while riding up the road there. The sidewalk has pedestrians with strollers as well as dog walkers and runners, it's not safe to ride a bike there and I refuse to do so. Even as a runner it can be frustrating running on that sidewalk sometimes.
I just rode up Spanish Banks a few hours ago, and there were a couple of workers from MainRoad Contracting putting up a shiny new sign. So I'm guessing it wasn't the city that took the old one down.
Larry, I'm with you! Why would I comply and put myself and others at risk of serious injury? This so called rule violates city by laws and the Motor Vehicle Act legislation. How are the RCMP permitted to run rogue in our city where we pride ourselves in a healthy lifestyle. Boggles the mind!
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However, for some reason, there is a sign posted at the start of the hill dictating that cyclists must leave the road and proceed up a very narrow uneven path, often used by walkers and runners. Forcing the thousands of cyclists who use these roads up that narrow path is a recipe for disaster and way worse than the current sharing of these roads.
For some reason, the RCMP has taken to forcing cyclists off the road to that path. One has to wonder what suddenly prompted the RCMP, who one can imagine have a lot on their plate, to focus on this issue, but also to potentially increase the danger and risk to cyclists and pedestrians seeking to use the road to UBC and to Marine Drive.
In fact, it has been noted that the path to the side of the road does not even meet the Ministry of Transportation guidelines for a path shared by cyclists and pedestrians.
Cyclists have the same rights to the roads as cars, and we have to make our voice clearly heard in this regard. We the citizens are the ones that pay for the infrastructure and we must not be bullied off it. Pass this around, post on your FB page or Twitter.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
October 2, 2014
October 2, 2014
I have been reviewing the feedback regarding the hazards presented by the path at Spanish Banks. The accounts of near misses you have provided remain the strongest evidence that this policy requires immediate review by local authorities.
Reached 100 supporters
September 30, 2014
18 Comments
The RCMP, as they explained, were simply enforcing the existing signage. They even encouraged feedback. The real issue is with the roadway and the sign. This falls under the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure jurisdiction, and we need to focus on them. They need to remove the existing sign. They need to add a sign that this is a multi-use roadway, consistent with the other signs all along Spanish Banks. They should also fix the ledge on the other side of the barrier so that it is safe for pedestrians.
I've been riding on the Road up Spanish Banks Hill since I came here in 1958 and still do.I once tried riding the path which is a bit of a nightmare when there is Foot Traffic.I have never had a problem with Traffic,in fact we used to have some Bike Races way back then with no Traffic problems,to say there is a danger is absolute ''B.S.'' I think the RCMP should take care of more important issues which I don't need to mention,I've run into some issues with Rookies (RCMP) and often wonder how they got into the Force!...RIDE ON CYCLISTS!
I would like to challenge the RCMP as to why this is a great idea, when it condtradicts the City's desire to have cyclists ride on the road safely, and not on the sidewalks which are (and should remain) reserved for pedestrians, dogs, strollers etc.
This is absurd . I ride up Spanish Banks road regularly and never has there been even a hint of a problem with a motorist !
Cyclists have the right to use roadways, as long as they as far to the right as is practical. This section of roadway is extremely popular for road cyclists, connecting the beaches to the Marine Dr. bike lane around the perimeter of UBC. The sidewalk is used busy as well with many people walking between UBC and the beaches. Numerous triathlons use this section of roadway as part of their cycling route. I have ridden this roadway many times, and have walked on the path next to it. If cyclists were moved off of the road here onto this crude path that was never intended to be shared by cyclists and pedestrians, it would be very dangerous for all involved.
Considering the amount of cyclists that use this road, if they really think that it's an issue, the city should look at expanding the sidewalk and moving the barrier over to create an open bike lane. Having said that, they would need to make sure that the bike lane was not itself separated from the road with it's own barrier, otherwise due to the varying speed of cyclists, it would also be unsafe and most people likely wouldn't use it. I've also never heard of any cyclists having issues with cars while riding up the road there. The sidewalk has pedestrians with strollers as well as dog walkers and runners, it's not safe to ride a bike there and I refuse to do so. Even as a runner it can be frustrating running on that sidewalk sometimes.
I just rode up Spanish Banks a few hours ago, and there were a couple of workers from MainRoad Contracting putting up a shiny new sign. So I'm guessing it wasn't the city that took the old one down.
Larry, I'm with you! Why would I comply and put myself and others at risk of serious injury? This so called rule violates city by laws and the Motor Vehicle Act legislation. How are the RCMP permitted to run rogue in our city where we pride ourselves in a healthy lifestyle. Boggles the mind!
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The RCMP, as they explained, were simply enforcing the existing signage. They even encouraged feedback. The real issue is with the roadway and the sign. This falls under the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure jurisdiction, and we need to focus on them. They need to remove the existing sign. They need to add a sign that this is a multi-use roadway, consistent with the other signs all along Spanish Banks. They should also fix the ledge on the other side of the barrier so that it is safe for pedestrians.