Cyclists have always been fond of parks. These are cool, safe havens off the road. In fact, cycling networks have often been designed to link parks within the city, to cross them when necessary, or to teach children to ride their bikes. And cyclists and pedestrians have always coexisted harmoniously.
So we're astonished by the new rhetoric that wants to ban cyclists on the pretext of avoiding accidents with pedestrians. This is the argument used by the City of Montreal to ban us from La Fontaine and Jeanne-Mance parks, and to ask the police to crack down on «offenders».
In fact, these regulations are completely outdated and should be revised. In Europe, cyclists and pedestrians have always coexisted harmoniously. Why should it be any different here?
This is not to say that all cyclists behave respectfully and without fault. We're often criticized for riding too fast and disregarding traffic regulations in parks - in short, for acting as if no rules applied to us.
Of course, we have very real responsibilities towards pedestrians. We should apply the principle that act with caution in relation to a lighter or slower road user. Pedestrians are just as vulnerable to cyclists as we are to motorists. Hence the importance of reducing our speed in their presence, maintaining a suitable distance when crossing or overtaking them - in short, acting with civic-mindedness. In return, we expect them not to walk in bike lanes.
A better pedestrian-cyclist relationship is bound to be a win-win solution, especially as parks are among the most beautiful and popular green spaces in the city. Tolerance and good citizenship go hand in hand.
Suzanne Lareau
President and General Manager
