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Even though the framework is now solidified with Saskatoon’s new bike bylaws, a member of Saskatoon Cycles believes there’s more work to do.
James Arnold, who is a board member with the volunteer not-for-profit organization, spoke at Monday’s council meeting. He spoke of how tough Saskatoon is to cycle in, and that the city should “rethink” its bylaws.
Arnold told 650 CKOM that he felt councillors “largely formulated” their positions in advance of the meeting.
“They are listening, and they are prepared to tinker with their thoughts, but I don’t expect any major changes when I come to such a meeting,” he said.
“It seemed quite apparent that they had determined that the 14 and under restriction on sidewalk riding is what they were going to go for, and they hadn’t adequately formulated thought beyond that.”
In his five minutes of time to speak in council’s chambers, Arnold was vocal in his stance that no one should be biking on city sidewalks, regardless of age.
He said there is some “disconnect” with understanding the levels of ability for cyclists at various ages.
“From an enforcement perspective, I get completely that the legal department at the city would advise them, that ‘if you pick an age, that’s very easy for law enforcement.’ But, ease for law enforcement doesn’t make it easy for cyclists to be on the road,” Arnold said in a Tuesday interview.
In the past, Saskatoon Cycles has been active in conversation with the city with the bike bylaws.
They were part of the team that formulated recommendations to the city, which were submitted following help from a student of law with the University of Saskatchewan in 2015. Arnold said the student gave them a pro bono brief about cycling, and the proposed cycling bylaw.
“Some of (the recommendations) were taken into account, and some of them weren’t. But, a large portion of the bylaw appears to have reflected our consultation, so we’re pleased with that.”
Pieces still missing from Saskatoon cycling infrastructure
At Monday’s council meeting the amendment of giving cyclists the freedom to use every lane, even when a bike lane is available passed.
Coun. Hilary Gough told 650 CKOM following the decisions that Saskatoon’s infrastructure just isn’t where it needs to be.
Arnold reiterated those comments Tuesday and gave an in-depth explanation as to why there seems to be a disconnect from the city’s cycling infrastructure. He said a simple example was the city’s pilot project with the 4th Ave. bike lanes.
“That demonstration project wasn’t actual proper cycling infrastructure. Basically what they did is they painted lines on roads, and they erected flexible plastic pylons. So, we have this lane that looks protected, but what it specifically lacks is the infrastructure at intersections.”
Arnold said what Saskatoon should look at is actual signal lights for those travelling at the busy city intersections. What would happen in that instance is a separate light for those cycling that would give them the go-ahead slightly before vehicles are able to go.
“(That would allow) cyclists a bit of an advance to proceed into the intersection so that they’re slightly ahead of the automobiles and the car drivers can actually see them. This creates a lot more safety for cyclists, and also creates predictability for the car drivers.”
Another issue Arnold sees is the lack of infrastructure to connect all of Saskatoon’s neighbourhoods to a cycling hub. He said the pieces are there, with the Meewasin Trail focused on by the city, even during the winter months, ensuring cyclists can pass through.
“We have some pieces here, that tell us what things might begin to look like, but we’re not connecting any of them. We have these things, which don’t allow cyclists to move safely to those pieces of infrastructure that actually work.”
The two recommendations that were passed by city council Monday are not law, as of yet. The city solicitor has started drafting the amendments into law but they will have to be read at council again in the near future.
The city says it hopes to have the bylaws in place by the spring.
