henric
Legit VIP
13/09/2012 8:35:00 AM
by Monica Bugajski
A survey in the Toronto Star reveals there is growing public support for licensing bicyclist, but the cycling community calls such a measure punitive and impractical. Is licensing cyclists really the way to ensure safety?
In light of another high profile cycling fatality in the Toronto area, the Toronto Star published a survey that reveals there is growing public support for requiring cyclists to obtain licenses. Nevertheless, the city's cycling community calls the idea both punitive and impractical.
In the Forum Research poll, 65% of the 843 respondents approved of licensing cyclists to improve traffic law enforcement, and more than half believe doing so would be a fair trade-off for investing in "a comprehensive European-style bicycle infrastructure, with dedicated lanes and parking lots."
Nevertheless, Toronto's cycling community says that cyclists are already subject to the Highway Traffic Act. Because bicyclists can already be punished for disobeying traffic laws in the same way that drivers can, requiring cyclists to obtain separate licenses would be harsh and unnecessary.
Is licensing cyclists really the way to ensure safety?
Although I understand that the police and the public want to make sure cyclists are aware of and abiding by traffic laws and that they have all required equipment (bells, front and back lights), I don't think that requiring licenses is the way to ensure bike safety. After all, there are plenty of car drivers whose licenses don't stop them from breaking the law.
Requiring cycling licenses will not necessarily improve safety, and it simply puts the emphasis in the wrong place. It points the finger at bicyclists, saying they are the ones responsible for any and all accidents they are involved in.
And this is just not the case.
I've seen too many Toronto drivers cut bikes off and change lanes without signaling, leaving already vulnerable cyclists in more danger. I, myself, have had not one but two doors opened directly onto me while I cruised in the bike lane. These drivers didn't bother to check their side mirrors, and I bore the physical consequences of their failure to obey.
Yes, I know that there are plenty of cyclists who knowingly disobey traffic laws. They should continue to be ticketed and held accountable for their dangerous behaviour. But requiring licenses for everyone because a few break the laws isn't practical.
It will make it more difficult and expensive to commute and travel by bike. I Bike Toronto blogger Herb van den Dool says, "There's a presumption that cyclists aren't paying for anything, and don't deserve anything, as if we don't pay property taxes." But that's just not true, as all cyclists pay taxes and there are scores who own businesses, property, and even cars.
We need to focus our efforts on educating the community at large about bike safety. Drivers should learn to treat cyclists like any other moving vehicle, and cyclists should learn that they are required to behave like any other moving vehicle.
The fact of the matter is that bicyclists and cars must share the road, and consequently, we cannot put the responsibility of bike safety solely on bicyclists.
What do you think?
by Monica Bugajski
A survey in the Toronto Star reveals there is growing public support for licensing bicyclist, but the cycling community calls such a measure punitive and impractical. Is licensing cyclists really the way to ensure safety?
In light of another high profile cycling fatality in the Toronto area, the Toronto Star published a survey that reveals there is growing public support for requiring cyclists to obtain licenses. Nevertheless, the city's cycling community calls the idea both punitive and impractical.
In the Forum Research poll, 65% of the 843 respondents approved of licensing cyclists to improve traffic law enforcement, and more than half believe doing so would be a fair trade-off for investing in "a comprehensive European-style bicycle infrastructure, with dedicated lanes and parking lots."
Nevertheless, Toronto's cycling community says that cyclists are already subject to the Highway Traffic Act. Because bicyclists can already be punished for disobeying traffic laws in the same way that drivers can, requiring cyclists to obtain separate licenses would be harsh and unnecessary.
Is licensing cyclists really the way to ensure safety?
Although I understand that the police and the public want to make sure cyclists are aware of and abiding by traffic laws and that they have all required equipment (bells, front and back lights), I don't think that requiring licenses is the way to ensure bike safety. After all, there are plenty of car drivers whose licenses don't stop them from breaking the law.
Requiring cycling licenses will not necessarily improve safety, and it simply puts the emphasis in the wrong place. It points the finger at bicyclists, saying they are the ones responsible for any and all accidents they are involved in.
And this is just not the case.
I've seen too many Toronto drivers cut bikes off and change lanes without signaling, leaving already vulnerable cyclists in more danger. I, myself, have had not one but two doors opened directly onto me while I cruised in the bike lane. These drivers didn't bother to check their side mirrors, and I bore the physical consequences of their failure to obey.
Yes, I know that there are plenty of cyclists who knowingly disobey traffic laws. They should continue to be ticketed and held accountable for their dangerous behaviour. But requiring licenses for everyone because a few break the laws isn't practical.
It will make it more difficult and expensive to commute and travel by bike. I Bike Toronto blogger Herb van den Dool says, "There's a presumption that cyclists aren't paying for anything, and don't deserve anything, as if we don't pay property taxes." But that's just not true, as all cyclists pay taxes and there are scores who own businesses, property, and even cars.
We need to focus our efforts on educating the community at large about bike safety. Drivers should learn to treat cyclists like any other moving vehicle, and cyclists should learn that they are required to behave like any other moving vehicle.
The fact of the matter is that bicyclists and cars must share the road, and consequently, we cannot put the responsibility of bike safety solely on bicyclists.
What do you think?
