Have you ever been cut off by a cyclist on the sidewalk?

While many Victoria cyclists stick to the rules of the road, there are those who take liberties B次元官网网址� using sidewalks to get from point A to point B.

Section 114 of VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 streets and traffic bylaw states that cyclists over 16-years-old canB次元官网网址檛 ride bikes on sidewalks or paths that have signs indicating pedestrian use only. And those who choose to ignore the rules could face a $100 fine B次元官网网址� reduced to $65 if paid within 30 days.

Cycling on the sidewalk should not be happening, said Corey Burger, policy and infrastructure chair of the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 definitely not a good thing. ItB次元官网网址檚 a space for people walking,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淢ixing bikes and people walking is, in general B次元官网网址� not a very good idea.B次元官网网址�

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But Burger said typically cyclists are on the sidewalk for a reason: they feel uncomfortable or unsafe on the street.

B次元官网网址淲hat we know from other places B次元官网网址� is that building good, protective bike lanes reduced sidewalk riding.B次元官网网址�

The bike lane on Blanshard Street stops briefly between Pandora and Caledonia avenues, and cyclists often take to the sidewalk there, Burger said.

Another solution is education, he added. There is no mandated or universal cycling education on the Island.

B次元官网网址淥ne of the challenges we have in North America, is we donB次元官网网址檛 really teach our kids how to bike very well,B次元官网网址� Burger said. B次元官网网址淎 lot of parents will tell their kids B次元官网网址榖ike on the sidewalkB次元官网网址� because the parent feels itB次元官网网址檚 safer B次元官网网址� and to a certain extent it is. But that becomes internalized and when that kid becomes an adult, theyB次元官网网址檙e still riding on the sidewalk.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 evidence that training produces better cyclists,B次元官网网址� he said, adding that as biking infrastructure evolves, training should evolve with it. B次元官网网址淭he world has changed downtown, until a couple years ago there wasnB次元官网网址檛 a single bike-specific signal in downtown.B次元官网网址�

The City of Victoria agreed education is the first line of action.

B次元官网网址淪taff always consider the situation. Sometimes we have visitors from out of town who are not familiar with rules of road,B次元官网网址� said Bill Eisenhauer, VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 head of engagement.

B次元官网网址淲here voluntary compliance is achieved, often no other enforcement will be necessary. Should the same person be encountered later committing the same offence, a ticket would be an option. Most people encountered, apologize and move to the roadway or bike lane.B次元官网网址�

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Education and courses for all ages are offered by the and . They also offer training for cyclists on topics such as basic traffic safety, bike maintenance, night riding and overcoming barriers to cycling.