REGINA – One frustration drivers may face on the road is being caught behind a cyclist, but bikes have the same right to be there as cars.
While the bicycles move slower than motor-powered vehicles, they are required to be there according to a Regina bylaw.
“There is a bylaw that states the maximum wheel diameter allowed on the sidewalk,” said Sgt. Ian Barr, a traffic sargeant for the Regina Police Service. “That’s 40 centimeters, and that’s put in there to allow children in training wheels to use the sidewalks. Adults with full-size bicycles should be on the street in the traffic lanes.”
Bike riders are protected under the Saskatchewan traffic safety act and are treated as equals to every other vehicle on the road. They have the right, as a single rider, to use a full-lane for their ride. Riders can also ride up to two abreast within one lane.
Bike lanes are one of the ways cyclists can avoid vehicles on the busy streets, but Bike Regina president Sara Maria Daubisse says we need more, and better lanes
“Education can only go so far,” said Daubisse. “The best way to protect cyclists and to have traffic flow smoothly is having dedicated infrastructure for bicyclists. Whether that’s lanes or shared lanes or cycle tracks, which are completely separated, that would definitely increase safety and have traffic move more smoothly.”
While the City of Regina’s master plan has new lanes planned, they aren’t expected anytime soon.
“They’re talking about adding up to 66 kilometers of off-street bike lanes which would be a major investment and increase,” said Norman Kyle, the City of Regina Director of Roadways and Transportation.
Until that investment is made, drivers and bike riders must continue to treat each other as equals and follow the rules of the road.
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