City of North Vancouver councilors will consider a new $200 fine for those who are found impeding a bike lane in the city.
The new fine will be discussed at a council meeting today, February 1.
The fine for “Impeding A Mobility Lane” is based on similar fines in the region, including the City of Vancouver, says CNV staff.
The combination of painted bicycle lanes, paint buffered bicycle lanes, and protected bicycle lanes are collectively referred to as mobility lanes.
“It reflects the increased safety risks to vulnerable road users using these facilities when they are blocked by motor vehicles,” according to a staff report to the council.
According to this report, there has been an increase in vehicles misusing bike lanes, raising the safety risks to road users.
Currently, vehicles stopping, parking or impeding a mobility lane are considered to be “impeding traffic” and may be levied a fine of $100.
However, CNV says bylaw officials have noted difficulties in applying this penalty when a motor vehicle is impeding a designated mobility lane.
This is because the bylaw is not clear to drivers that road users in these lanes are considered traffic.
CNV staff says the new $200 fine clarifies penalty and fine for stopping, parking or otherwise impeding a mobility lane.
The new fine will increase ease of enforcement and discourage misuse by motor vehicles that may impact the safety of vulnerable road users, the staff says.
If the council endorses the amendments, the staff will develop an outreach plan to ensure awareness of new rules and penalties.
The staff will also monitor compliance and effectiveness of the fine and then decide if a higher fine is necessary in the future.
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Can we also then have new $500 fines for bicycles using the car lane when there is a viable bike lane to use?
Fair is fair right?
And riding on the sidewalk – at speed?
A note to council, Personally I don’t believe that this “Impedance” (as described in the attached Daily Post story), of auto traffic clogging bike lanes is problematic enough that it requires any further attention on the part of Council. If however Council believes that greater penalties should be applied to errant motor vehicle drivers, then might I suggest there also be corresponding penalties for cyclists ignoring rules of the road, the motor vehicle act as it pertains to correct signalling, use of flashing beacons, intersection stop signs, lane changes, red lights, use of helmets, licensing, insurance, etc.
I also believe that an extremely dangerous situation has been created by having auto’s yield to cyclists when attempting to turn right over cycle lanes. Many cyclists – especially those with motor assist – come up too fast on right turning auto’s/trucks/vehicles for the two modes of transportation to safely mix. It appears to me that the only way for both motor vehicles and cyclists of any description to safely share any city street would require the cyclist (who ought to be in the best position to see what is going on), to yield and work with traffic, and not attempt to dominate or enforce their self-thought rights with unforgiving impunity!
Safety issues aside, traffic management, street network and design by City staff, along with political decisions by Council first and foremost must always apply common sense and work toward the “greater good” of the community. The vast majority of residents, their servicing needs as well as the movement of goods and supplies, everywhere in this country will forever require vehicles (some very large), with a minimum of four wheels, a roof and a trunk. Any accommodation of bicycles on City streets should always be done in a reasonable fashion – or not at all.
Respectfully,
A.(Tony) Caldwell
Feb. 1/2021
I completely agree with this. But, when will city bring a bylaw to do the same for cyclists? When they use road instead of bike line that is right next to that road and slowing down traffic with their speed, when will they be fined? When they perform dangerous stunts to escape waiting for traffic light to turn green?
responsible roads…..50 percent of bike riders have no regard to traffic safety . How can thé roads be liable for personal injury and cars pay insurance and licence protocol. Another reason I C B C should not be thé monopoly of thé road. Bikes and bike lane ridership is low and take up 20 percent of thé pavement . Logic and fairness ?