Guelph Police Launch Cycling safety Campaign Amidst Infrastructure Concerns
Following two recent cyclist fatalities, Guelph Police are launching a road safety campaign focused, in part, on cyclist behavior. The campaign will involve increased enforcement alongside educational efforts,targeting common infractions like failing to obey traffic signals and neglecting to dismount at crosswalks - violations police say put cyclists in direct conflict with other road users.
Inspector davis emphasized that the campaign’s primary goal is education, but acknowledged enforcement will be at the discretion of officers. He suggested a tiered approach, with education prioritized for equipment violations, while moving violations would be treated similarly to those committed by motorists.
However,the campaign has sparked concern from local cycling advocates,including Guelph’s “Bike Mayor,” Christine Bidgood. Bidgood argues the focus on individual cyclist behaviour overlooks the fundamental issue: a lack of thorough and consistent bicycle infrastructure within the city.
“We all have our responsibilities to follow the rules,” Bidgood stated, “But what are they trying to achieve by seemingly singling out individual cyclists?”
Bidgood, appointed by the Netherlands-based NGO BYCS to advocate for improved bike infrastructure, points to the incomplete state of Guelph’s cycling network.She explains that inconsistent infrastructure - like the Woolwich-Gordon corridor, which alternates between painted bike lanes and fully separated paths – can force cyclists into unsafe or rule-breaking decisions.
“For a cyclist who isn’t complying, we might not know the reason why. Maybe it’s because they’re not feeling safe within the infrastructure, maybe there is no infrastructure,” she said. The recent addition of a parking-protected bike lane on Woolwich Street is a step forward, but Bidgood stresses the need for consistent safety standards across the city.
Inspector Davis acknowledges the importance of road and infrastructure design in overall road safety,framing Guelph Police’s role as part of a “holistic” approach. He maintains that enforcement is applied consistently year-round and isn’t targeted at cyclists specifically.
Bidgood, though, highlights the frequently enough-split-second decisions cyclists face.”Ultimately sometimes it comes down to a survival decision,” she explained,referencing scenarios were cyclists might choose to briefly ride on a sidewalk to avoid a collision.She hopes police will exercise discretion and consider the context behind potential infractions.
“I really hope when it comes to enforcement there is a little bit of discretion and nuance as to why this person had to make a decision at that time,” Bidgood concluded, advocating for a more understanding and infrastructure-focused approach to cycling safety in guelph.
