Winnipeg Drivers vs. Winnipeg Cyclists

 

In the "great" city of Winnipeg, there is an ongoing battle between drivers and cyclists, with pedestrians getting caught in the middle.

Drivers say that the roads are for cars and trucks. They say that cyclists pose a real safety risk. Drivers are always complaining about cyclists not following the rules of the road.

Cyclists say that the roads are for everyone. They say that (Winnipeg) drivers pose a real safety risk. Cyclists are always complaining about drivers not following the rules of the road.

Hmm...

Then we have the almighty Pedestrian. Where are they in all this? They're floating around in limbo waiting to get hit by a car while crossing the street or smacked from behind as a cyclist passes too close.

There are many problems with the existing situation.

First of all, the city of Winnipeg (in its great wisdom) passed a by-law in where cyclists are not allowed to cycle on sidewalks. Hey, makes sense right? Because we know that outside the downtown area pedestrians are jamming the sidewalks with their walking nonsense.

All joking aside, Winnipeg is a city manufactured for travelling great distances in order to get to where you want to go. That being said, downtown is the only place (more or less) in Winnipeg where the sidewalks are used on a major scale.

Here is what we propose.

The city of Winnipeg make it legal to cycle on sidewalks outside the downtown area. Cyclists are required to carry some form of identification because... Cyclists are required by law to use a helmet when cycling (common sense) and some type of reflective or bright clothing. Cyclists are also required by law to abide by standard traffic laws ...and can be fined for not following the above; just like an automobile. It's only fair, plus any cyclist who argues that these rules will not make cycling in Winnipeg safer is an idiot. Greater effort and more resources are put into creating bike lanes in the downtown area (funding courtesy of the countless cyclists who ride without a helmet or reflective clothing and do not follow road laws). Include in all learning-to-drive programs a section on how to drive when approaching or passing a cyclist (not sure if that already exists, but we're throwing it in there anyways). Drivers and cyclists do not share the 50/50 at fault thing from Manitoba Public Insurance. Whoever is at fault is at fault. A portion of funds from driving and cycling offences be put toward more public education campaigns on sharing the road.

If you agree, please take a moment and sign our petition.