Police bicycle blitz results in 188 tickets
Police bicycle blitz results in 188 tickets.
Toronto police ticket cyclists on Danforth Avenue Wednesday. A month-long cycling safety blitz concluded with the start of increased enforcement of cycling infractions.
Staff photo/ANDREW PALAMARCHUK
Police issued 188 tickets during the culmination of a month-long bicycle blitz in East York's 54 Division Wednesday, Sept. 30.Police said they handed out 49 tickets for having no bell or horn, 40 for having no lights and 38 for riding on the sidewalk."A lot of cyclists were surprised," Sgt. Jack West said. "They were asking the police 'When did you start enforcing these rules?' One cyclist actually said to the officer 'What do you mean I can't ride against a red light?'"One cyclist was arrested after it was found that he breached his curfew.Four motorists were also ticketed for endangering cyclists. "The motorist who opens their door into traffic is a hazard for cyclists," West said.Officers tried to alert cyclists to the rules of the road by handing out safety pamphlets on Danforth Avenue and O'Connor Drive before Wednesday's zero-tolerance enforcement."We're hoping that through education we're going to get more compliance and keep motorists, cyclists and pedestrians safe," said West. "Eventually when word gets out, we're going to get more compliance."