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Ticketing of Victoria cyclist called BԪַharassmentBԪַ but also BԪַsweet justiceBԪַ

Readers sound off on rules of the road
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This cyclist was stopped and ticketed while riding in a Victoria bike lane. (Chris Campbell photo)

A photo posted on social media depicting a cyclist being ticketed by a police officer in a Victoria bike lane sparked a fiery debate and highlighted the wide divide between drivers and cyclists.

The photo attached to this story depicts a police motorcycle with its lights flashing parked at the Fort Street bike lane near Blanshard Street. The office is talking to a cyclist. The officer later handed out a ticket, but it is unknown what the offence was.

It sparked a loud conversation on X (the site formerly known as Twitter) from cyclists and drivers arguing about the rules of the road and who police should focus on.

One person called it BԪַharassmentBԪַ of cyclists while a driver called it BԪַsweet justiceBԪַ because they felt that cyclists donBԪַt follow rules of the road.

BԪַCyclists commit more traffic offenses than drivers do, itBԪַs about time we cracked down on their dangerous entitled behavior,BԪַ posted Johnny McGoff.

BԪַA higher percentage of cyclists than cars are regularly running red lights and stop signs,BԪַ posted YVRproblems. BԪַPlus they think theyBԪַre entitled to nearly hit countless pedestrians while biking on sidewalks. Time to start ticketing!BԪַ

The construction of bike lanes in Greater Victoria has stirred up a lot of animosity with drivers who donBԪַt like tax dollars spent on it, with claims these bike lanes slow them down. Cyclists counter that they are needed to save lives because they protect them from drivers who ignore the rules of the road.

One basic point made by cyclists is that if they run a light, they put themselves at risk, while when drivers do it they can kill a cyclist or a pedestrian.

Many who posted felt that the police should be picking on cyclists.

BԪַItBԪַs important to harass a young woman with a heavy backpack, really teach her a lesson for daring to ride in a protected lane without a helmet. Huge public safety risk, clearly,BԪַ posted @RaynaRambling.

BԪַI saw this live yesterday and was surprised that the cop felt the need to block the bike lane while giving the cyclist his ticketBԪַ.very weird,BԪַ posted P. Gareth Morgan.

BԪַFor the car-brain idiots here, you kill thousands each year and break more laws along the way,BԪַ posted D. Jones.

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Chris Campbell

About the Author: Chris Campbell

I joined the Victoria BԪַ hub as an editor in 2023, bringing with me over 30 years of experience from community newspapers in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley
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