Our Revanchist Mayor at it Again: Target Cyclists

Our ever so progressive OPS has renewed its fight on the segmentation of function on our city streets. Our Revanchist Mayor, his rural-right-wing-fringe henchmen, and our man in blue Vern White, and his 9% budget increase, are at it again. Just a short time after launching an attack on city pedestrians, the OPS has launched a month long program targeting city cyclists. The cops will be warning and ticketing cyclists riding on sidewalks. While I agree with the dangers of riding on the sidewalk, and the inconvenience to pedestrians, I fail to see how this is a priority for making cycling safer. In fact, zero deaths have ever been reported in cyclist pedestrian accidents in the city (if anywhere?). Should this really be the focus on city policing efforts to make our streets safer for non-automobile users? Hey Larry, how about creating an east-west bike lane, or fixing the damn curb in the middle the bike lane at the Percy and Chamberlain intersection, or frigin’ targeting those drivers always honkin’ and swearin’ at me for actually using the streets according to the rule of the Highway Traffic Act. It always drives me crazy when they target cyclist noting that we are regulated to have the same obligations under this act when in reality the rights as users are never enforced by the men in blue. Now there is a possible bike-friendly strategy.

This story really got me when I was also reading in today’s Toronto Star a story about the cops finally nabbing the notorious Igor of Queen Street West for bike theft in a quite and easy sting operation. Now for those unfamiliar with T.O., city bloggers and cyclist have long identified Igor as a crook and violent maniac bike shop owner (he actually physical assaulted a friend who tried to reclaim their stolen bike from his basement). For some reason he has always escaped scrutiny. So a big hoorah to T.O.’s cops for busting him. Mabye the cops will follow suit in Ottawa?

Photo: Women munitions workers of the Dominion Arsenals Ltd. plant in Québec city, bicycle in their home town of Sainte-Foy (1942, NALC, 1971-271 NPC)