We like Christian Rioux's article, which recently appeared on the front page of Homework, which begins as follows: «Instead of ticketing pedestrians and cyclists, as is increasingly the case in Montreal, the City of Paris has decided to give them space [...]».
Montreal cyclists have had a rough time of it in recent weeks with the intensification of police controls aimed at «improving road safety». While the intention may seem laudable, i.e. to bring civic-mindedness back to Montreal streets, there is a line that should not be crossed.
First of all, a bicycle is not a car! Cars kill. The facts prove it. Bicycles may annoy some people, but they don't kill. That, too, is well documented. We believe that motorists and cyclists who behave dangerously on the streets should be punished. Running a red light at high speed, driving the wrong way on a two-way street and speeding along a sidewalk are behaviors that infuriate everyone and can hurt others. We believe that priority in policing should be given to these dangerous behaviours.
In this debate, it's important to acknowledge the facts. Cyclists are more numerous, and it's in this group that we've seen the biggest improvement in road safety. Something must have improved! Yes, there are still behaviors to be modified, and yes, the city is not sufficiently adapted to today's reality. Let's face it: it's in a city's interest to be invaded by cyclists. The more, the better! Can the same be said for cars?
In light of the events of the past few weeks, Vélo Québec will promote three types of action in as many forums as possible:
- Making the city even more cyclist-friendly. A lot has been done, but it doesn't seem to be going fast enough to keep up with the growing number of cyclists. Riding on a sidewalk under an overpass to save your skin tells us there's a problem with urban planning, and we need to act fast.
- Lobby to adapt the Highway Safety Code to the new realities of urban mobility. The Minister of Transport must revise the articles of the Code to give clear priority to pedestrians and cyclists, based on the principles conveyed by the Code de la rue approach, as experimented in France, Switzerland and Belgium.
- Bring the police force into line with the progressive vision adopted by Montreal in 2008 with the adoption of its Transportation Plan.
We will never condone cyclists who behave dangerously and ride as if they were the only ones on the street (every day, each of us can play a part by gently calling them out). But we won't accept that cyclists should be hunted down in the same way as drunk drivers or drivers exceeding the speed limit. A little discernment and moderation and we'll all be better off.
