CYCLING: City committee set to discuss cycling policy changes

DAVID NICKLE

September 2, 2009

City politicians may not have felt easy talking about the specifics of Toronto's latest cycling fatality that happened the night of Monday, Aug. 31. But next week, councillors on the public works and infrastructure committee will be debating two possible changes to the way motorists and cyclists interact on city streets.

St. Paul's Councillor Michael Walker has two motions on next Wednesday's agenda: one, asking that the city look at requiring cyclists to have a license in order to operate on city streets, and a second asking that it become mandatory for all cyclists to wear a helmet.

"We can't stick our heads in the sand and revert to this idyllic view of cyclists" he said. "We've moved a quantum leap from there. Bicyclists are much more prominently recognized as an alternative form of transportation - that's been in government policy and taxpayers' money."

Walker's two motions would both involve resurrecting ideas that have been attempted before. Former Ontario premier Bob Rae briefly instituted a province-wide requirement that all cyclists wear helmets. When his NDP government was defeated in 1995, incoming premier Mike Harris revoked the law for adults, only requiring helmets for children.

Walker says it's time to bring it back.

"Head injuries are the most damaging and often result in death, so it's just a good investment and it should be mandatory," he said. "I think it's a no-brainer and the committee should endorse that."

The City of Toronto has been looking at the idea of licensing bicycles since the mid-1980s. In the past, the proposal has been defeated because of the inordinate cost of administering it. But Walker and others think the idea might have merit now that the number of cyclists plying Toronto streets has increased.

"Bicyclists that are licensed have a different status and authority on the road, it will make it safer for cyclists but also make it safer for drivers," he said.

"They would have to apply to the Highway Traffic Act to get a license; they have to know the rules of the road and how to operate a bike safely with certain requirements. It'll end up improving safety for everybody and will get infractions dropping significantly."

Currently, bicycles are considered vehicles under the Highway Traffic Act. But while cyclists are culpable for any infractions they commit, a bicycling infraction won't cause demerit points on a driver's license. And a driver's license isn't required to operate a bicycle.

Denzil Minnan-Wong, who represents Don Valley East on Toronto Council, said it makes sense to have a licensing system to create some accountability for cyclists.

"There are aggressive cyclists who don't show enough respect for pedestrians or vehicular traffic," he said. "And when they show that disrespect, whether they injure pedestrians or bang on a hood or act in some irresponsible manner they can ride off and you can't catch them - they just weave through traffic."

Minnan-Wong said a clear license plate displayed on a bicycle would act as a deterent to bad behaviour.

The idea of licensing bicycles isn't being rejected out of hand by pro-cycling councillors - but questions remain before council makes the request of the province.

Scarborough Southwest Councillor Adrian Heaps, the chair of Toronto's cycling committee, said the idea might have merit - but only insofar as it's tied to public education, and incentives for cyclists to learn the rules of the road. City staff are currently working on a comprehensive cycling policy called Changing Gears, that will be released later this year.

"We're working right now with our Changing Gears policy to look at the whole safety component instead of looking at it as a stopgap measure - looking at a comprehensive policy," he said. "So we look at all of the issues of cyclists interacting with cars, and cars interacting with cyclists."

Public works and infrastructure committee chair Glenn De Baeremaeker said both ideas will likely be sent along to city staff for reports.

He said ultimately council would likely support a request for a mandatory helmet law.

"When you talk to any doctor or nurse or emergency room personnel they will tell you if you have a helmet on you are much more likely to survive," the Scarborough Centre councillor said. "The helmet law will be approved by council eventually. There will be anger and discussion but I think it will pass."

As to the idea of a license? De Baeremaeker said there are a lot of questions still.

"Does everybody have to pass a test? I would envision a license where you have to pass a written test and you have to renew it every so often. The question is how do you implement it? Do they go to a Ministry of Transportation office and line up with the SUV owners? Do they go to their local library? And what do you charge a 16 year old teenager to get a license? What do you charge a 10 year old?"