1. joe
   Admin
   Posted 3 years ago #
   

   The Toronto Cyclists Union has a campaign going now to not only increase the amount of the fine someone gets for parking in a bikelane, but also to get parking enforcement officers to pay attention to bikelane parkers more:

   • 
     Lend your voice in support of added enforcement for parking/stopping in bike lane infractions, and to double this fine from $60 to $120.

     RE: Toronto Police Services Board meeting, Nov 19, 2009

     The Toronto Cyclists Union will be making a written and in-person deputation asking that the fine for parking / stopping in a bike lane be doubled to $120, and that Toronto Police - Parking Enforcement be compelled to have it's officers begin prioritizing the ticketing of all manner of vehicles stopped or parked illegally in bike lanes throughout the city.

     **Please take 5 minutes before 10am on Thursday November 19th to email your support for both of these requests being made on your behalf by the Toronto Cyclists Union.
     

   The Union is also giving people some sample text to email to the Toronto Police Services Board in advance of the meeting... which I have made into an autofilled email link (clicking on this should pre-populate an email in your email client - I've tested it in Outlook, at least):

   
   Subject: Bike Lane Parking Enforcement and Fine Increase

   As a cyclist (and occasional driver) in Toronto, I would like to express my support for an increase in the set fine amount for parking / stopping in a bike lane to $120.

   Additionally, I believe that Parking Enforcement Officers should prioritize more rigorous enforcement of the no-stopping in bike lanes bylaw.

   Cars, delivery trucks and buses parked in bike lanes are a serious threat to the safety of cyclists in Toronto. Cyclists are most vulnerable when they are forced to move out of a bike lane to go around motor vehicles stopped in the lane dedicated to the safe passage of cyclists.

   Sincerely,
   Your name
   Toronto Cyclists Union member / supporter.
   

   Click here to open an auto-filled email, and customize it to your liking. :)

2. joe
   Admin
   Posted 3 years ago #
   

   From the Sun:

   • 
     Lawyer takes aim at bike lane blockers

     A former Toronto Police board chairman wants cops to crack down on bike lane blockers.

     In a letter to his former board, lawyer Alan Heisey details his run-ins with vehicles illegally parked in Toronto's bike lanes and demands the police services board order its boys in blue and the blue hornets to unleash a ticketing blitz.

     "There has been an awful lot of good intentions by the city implementing a system of bicycle lanes, but as we all know the road to hell is paved with good intentions," Heisey told the Sun yesterday. "The bicycle lanes as a practical matter don't exist because they are not usable."

     Along with the crackdown, Heisey -- an avid city cyclist for the past 35 years -- wants the board to consider putting cameras on the Bay St. bike-transit lanes to catch violators and increase fines to those who use bike lanes as short-term parking spots.

     He also wants the board to ask police and parking enforcement vehicles to avoid stopping in bike lanes unless it's an emergency.

     Full Article
     

3. Duncan
   Moderator
   Posted 3 years ago #
   

   Parking enforcement are known as "blue hornets"??? Haha.

   It blows my mind to see people parked in the bike lane along Sentinel (running South from York University). The houses and apartments here all have long driveways and parking lots. Yet, someone is always parked there, for no discernible reason aside from simply being a jerk.

   Duncan's City Ride - That's my blog about cycling in the city of Toronto, natch!

4. joe
   Admin
   Posted 3 years ago #
   

   I don't know if it's jerkiness (jerkism? jerkdom?) or if it's just laziness, or just them being unaware or oblivious that it's a bikelane.

   Unfortunately, lots of people (including some cyclists) are seemingly oblivious to the world around them. :(

5. AnnieD
   Member
   Posted 3 years ago #
   

   Thanks for the auto-fill link - I hadn't gotten around to writing yet and that was just what I needed. I added a "personal" message and have sent it off. Although enforcement will reduce the problem, I don't think anything short of physical barriers will eliminate it entirely because there will always be people willing to take a chance.

6. Duncan
   Moderator
   Posted 3 years ago #
   

   True AnnieD. There's a belief that you can park/stop anywhere you want so long as you use your four-way flashers, keep the car running or have at least one person waiting in the car. So, people will continue to do this even with increased risk of fines.

   Part of the reason why I think people park in the bike lanes on Sentinel is the overall lack of use they seem to get. I only ride down this section on my commute home, but aside from the odd neighbourhood child and one other guy I often pass going the opposite direction, no one else seems to use it. The lane may be busier in the morning with students biking up to York, so in no way is this a "useless" bike lane. Just as unused lots of land begin to fill up with trash, perceived unused bike lanes begin to fill with parked cars.

   Duncan's City Ride - That's my blog about cycling in the city of Toronto, natch!

7. joe
   Admin
   Posted 3 years ago #
   

   From the Star:

   • 
     Bike lane blockers need to get busted

     

     Cyclists are asking Toronto police to get tough on drivers who park in bicycle lanes, and particularly habitual offenders such as parcel delivery trucks.

     As the city expands its network of cycling lanes to create a defined space to separate bikes from vehicles and pedestrians, cyclists have been emailing and calling us about adverse side effects, including drivers who think the lanes are also meant for parking.

     Lawyer Alan Heisey, an avid cyclist and former chair of the Toronto Police Services Board, called recently to bend our ear about delivery trucks occupying bike lanes – forcing cyclists into traffic.

     After sending a letter of complaint to the president of a major parcel delivery company, and receiving a reply that said its drivers will continue to park in bike lanes because it's more efficient, Heisey is asking police to be more aggressive in ticketing bike lane blockers.

8. jeff
   Member
   Posted 3 years ago #
   

   regarding the lane being unused excuse divers may use. there are sidewalks everywhere for pedestrians and there is no parking on them regardless of how heavy they are trafficked(?), bikelanes deserve the same respect and it is high time they kicked these idiots in the ass so to speak.

9. theurbancountry
   Member
   Posted 3 years ago #
   

   Imagine what drivers would do if I decided to park my bicycle on the middle of a not-so-busy road?

10. mecyclelots
    Member
    Posted 3 years ago #
    

    Look there is another simple solution. Stratch the vehicle as you cycle past it. Costly damage to their illegally parked vehicle would sure teach a lesson. What are they going to do? Call the police and admitt to breaking the law themself? I dont practice this method, just a wild thought....

11. toddtyrtle
    Moderator
    Posted 3 years ago #
    

    A while back I just offered one person parked in the Cosburn lanes help with their "broken down car". They were hugely embarrassed and told me all about how they rode bikes too. Ironically, as I stopped next to their drivers window, a passing car honked at *me* for blocking traffic. Go figure.

12. joe
    Admin
    Posted 3 years ago #
    

    "Stratch the vehicle as you cycle past it. Costly damage to their illegally parked vehicle would sure teach a lesson. "

    I'm glad you don't do this mycyclelots, and it's never good to recommend vandalism.

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