Sidewalks for pedestrians, not cyclists: Chirico

Cyclists riding their bikes on city sidewalks could be fined $50 under a penalty clause added to North Bay’s traffic and parking bylaw.

Council’s General Government Committee approved the fine at the committee meeting of council Monday night.

It must be approved at next Monday's full council meeting.

Quite a problem
Committee chairman Peter Chirico said the cash penalty was the result of “a number” of complaints from the public over the past year about bicycles on sidewalks “particularly in the downtown core.”

The traffic and parking bylaw had been approved Dec. 2/’02, but set fines were not sought at the time for every possible violation.

Chirico said bikes on downtown sidewalks have now become “quite a problem.”

“As a matter of fact this afternoon sitting in my office on the corner of McIntyre and Fraser I counted over 28 bicycles riding by on the sidewalk, so it is a problem in the downtown for sure,” Chirico said, adding it was easier to prohibit bikes on all city sidewalks rather than “piecemeal” it off.

In cuffs
The city, Chirico said, has to “uniform” with the bylaw and its enforcement, and the fine gives the police “the teeth” to act within reason.

“We’re not going to have the police camped out on streets. It’s not like Johnny, the four-year old, riding down the middle of the sidewalk, and “we’ll take him away in cuffs and throw him away.’”

At risk
Coun. Sarah Campbell was concerned about safety if cyclists had to ride along Lakeshore Drive.

“It’s putting people at risk being on the road rather on the sidewalk, which really doesn’t have too many people on it,” Campbell said.

Chirico said the situation wasn’t any different than when he was growing up in North Bay.

“When we were kids you just didn’t ride on Lakeshore Drive, you rode on side streets to stay away from traffic,” Chirico said.

“It’s a four-lane road, it’s quite simple. I don’t think allowing them on the sidewalk in any area is something we should be condoning. Sidewalks are for pedestrians.”

Public safety
Campbell wanted to make sure residents understood the fine was being introduced “for public safety.”

Chirico agreed.

“This is not a cash grab.”

Memorial Drive is exempt from the bylaw because one of the sidewalks is dedicated for bike and in-line skate traffic.