Transportation committee passes revised amendments to bicycle bylaw

Saskatoon’s transportation committee has passed through revised amendments on the city’s bike bylaws to city council.

The discussion on the revised amendments took place Monday in council chambers. In November, the city unanimously endorsed a significant reworking of the bicycle bylaw, updating the rules for cyclists to reflect modern times.

Monday’s decision will allow cyclists the freedom to ride outside of the bike lanes, even if one is readily available. Additionally, children 14 and under will be allowed to ride their bikes on city sidewalks.

The city transportation committee did have questions following administrations report Monday, mainly on enforcement, age ranges on sidewalks, along with cyclists in the downtown core.

In terms of enforcement, both police and community support officers will address the ticketing for those who don’t abide by the new bylaws.

Coun. Randy Donauer brought up potential congestion problems in the city’s downtown sidewalks.

He was concerned that cyclists 14 and under could cause issues with pedestrians in the areas. Administration responded that pedestrians have the right of way in those instances, and they will practice common courtesy for those shared areas.

Transportation chair Bev Dubois brought up the idea of another change to the bylaw: allowing seniors to ride on sidewalks, mirroring the 14 and under the amendment.

Administration said they took a “thorough” look at all aspects of the file, and that change wouldn’t be needed.

Dubois said she heard the concerns from those in her ward, located in the Nutana area.

“I did have a couple of calls from seniors in my ward,” she said. “I felt confident in the answers today on (seniors being allowed to ride on the sidewalks), but if the issues do come up in the years to come or the months to come, then I will be certain to bring them up again to administration.”

Monday’s unanimous decision will now head to city council on Feb. 24.