Earlier this year, police launched a special enforcement team focused on non-motorized commuters who disobey city bylaws and provincial laws concerning traffic and road safety.
Acting Staff Sargeant Brian Montague said the initiative stemmed from a 2014 municipal campaign promise and a high volume of complaints surrounding cyclists and pedestrians.
“A lot of this has to do with the complaints we get…and pedestrians and cyclists that aren’t obeying the rules of the road are problematic.”
Since July, officers have handed out 300 tickets in addition to 300 warnings.
The team of officers have focused on areas prone to complaints.
Some of the common infractions include cyclists riding on sidewalks, and pedestrians texting and walking and disobeying their traffic signals. Police say the crackdown is city-wide.
“I don’t think you have to go very far to see bad drivers, bad cyclists, and bad pedestrians,” added Montague.
The fines start at around $100 and climb from there.
According to ICBC, an average of 2,400 pedestrians are injured each year. In total, there have been more than 50 deaths.
They said while jaywalking is a problem, 75 per cent of collisions occur at intersections.
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