Changes favour pedal-pushers Bill loosens law for bikes on roads

By: Larry Kusch

THE province plans to make it easier for municipalities to create designated bike lanes for cyclists.

On Wednesday, the Selinger government proposed several changes to the Highway Traffic Act, amending the law's definition of traffic to include bicycles.

Bicyclists have always been allowed to use roadways and will still have that right under the proposed amendments.

But under the current act, municipalities can only create shared bike lanes on roads where bikes share the roadway with buses. Under the proposed legislation, municipalities would be able to create bike lanes on roadways even if buses don't travel that route.

Also under the current act, bicycles are not allowed to use the shoulders of highways even if they are paved. A proposed change would permit bikes on highway shoulders.

"Municipalities are asking for a way to address cycle traffic and bike lanes and so on within their municipal boundaries," Local Government Minister Ron Lemieux told reporters. "This will give them the bylaw-making authority to do that."

Lemieux said the changes were developed in response to the growing number of Manitobans who choose bicycles as transportation over gas-powered vehicles.

He said the proposed legislation would not give municipalities power to set new rules for cyclists or impose or adjust fines. That would remain under provincial authority.

One proposed change would specify cyclists must ride single file on highways unless passing another bike.

Winnipeg's cycling community responded positively to the proposals.

Tim Woodcock, owner of Woodcock Cycle Works, said the changes would make it considerably safer for cyclists to get around.

"There are a lot of cyclists who would love to ride more, but they're not comfortable riding on the roads the way they're designed and with the cars being so close," he said.

Don Ellison, who commutes 40 kilometres every day on his bike, said the changes would raise awareness among motorists that cyclists have the right to use the road.

Commuting cyclists seek routes that include a maximum of bike paths and a minimum of roadways, Ellison said.

"We need bicycle routes that cut right through the city and come from all the different boroughs. That's how you get people riding for transportation, by getting them off the main drags."

-- with files from Geoff Kirbyson

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/changes-favour-pedal-pushers-15184090...