POLICE PIECE: Cyclists, joggers, pedestrians need to abide by proper rules when sharing trail space

Staff Sgt. Doug MacDonald, the Community Response Unit manager at south Etobicoke’s 22 Division, said first and foremost that cyclists, just like drivers, are required to abide by the rules of the road.

"Cyclists have to come to a complete stop at stop signs and a complete stop at red lights and wait till it turn greens," he said, noting that the "Idaho stop" – a law in the States that allows cyclists to treat a stop sign as a yield and red lights as stop signs – doesn’t apply here in Canada. "They also have to ride with the flow of traffic (on the right side of the street) and in designated bike lanes, where possible."

When making turns or coming to a stop, MacDonald also urged cyclists to make the appropriate hand signals to ensure that drivers, as well as other cyclists and pedestrians are made aware of their intentions.

As for safety equipment, MacDonald said helmets are mandatory for youth aged 18 and under, although cyclists of all ages are advised to wear them. And for those who ride after dark, equipping your bike with two lights – a white light at the front and a red light or reflector on the back – is strongly urged. Light-coloured clothing, preferably with reflective tape, is also encouraged for night cyclists.

While cycling on sidewalks is prohibited, MacDonald said 22 Division often receives reports of collisions between cyclists and pedestrians on the city’s off-road trail systems.

In order for cyclists, pedestrians, joggers, inline skaters, dog walkers and other users to safely share such recreational trails with each other, MacDonald said all need to remain vigilant at all times.

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"Everyone needs to be aware of their surroundings, stick to their own side of the path, and respect each other," he said.

"Because if you’re walking and I’m riding my bike at a good clip coming up behind you, and you just happen to take one step to your right or left or whatever the case is – boom! Accident."

Etobicoke’s Eric Vanderwal, 22, was the victim of just such an accident in early June.

The experienced cyclist was out for a ride on the Martin Goodman trail along Etobicoke’s waterfront when he came upon a jogger travelling in the same direction as him on the west side of the Humber River bridge, where the trail’s two designated paths (one for cyclists and inline skaters, the other for pedestrians, joggers, etc) merge into one.

"I’m pretty good about slowing down and ringing my bell for people who are jogging...but I guess you just take for granted that someone who is jogging on the far right is aware that is the right place to be," Vanderwal said.

"Unfortunately, with virtually no warning, she decided to cut across the path and I had very little time to react. She didn’t signal, she didn’t look over her shoulder."

When Vanderwal braked hard, the skidding noise of his bike alerted the jogger to his presence, and she moved quickly back to the right – right into the path he had chosen to try to avoid her.

In his attempt to evade a collision, Vanderwal – whose feet were clipped into his pedals – ended up going over his handlebars and landing hard on both palms. The impact of the painful fall broke both his elbows.

"It’s been a challenging couple of weeks being in two full arm casts," said Vanderwal, who is now in physiotherapy and hopes in future people will learn to better share the trail.

"From the perspective of a cyclist, I feel like the actions taken by pedestrians, joggers, and dog walkers put cyclists at a lot more risk," he added, noting that he’s also been chased by off-leash dogs along the Martin Goodman Trail. "Generally speaking, and certainly in my case, it’s the cyclists who are trying hard to avoid these people and who end up getting injured as a result."

As for MacDonald, he said one of the best ways to avoid such collisions is through proper vigilance: cyclists should install a bell or horn on their bicycles with which to signal to others that they are coming up behind them, and pedestrians, joggers and other trail users need to look before they change course, and avoid the use of headphones that may impede their awareness of their surroundings.

For more information on bike safety, go to www.torontopolice.on.ca/crimeprevention/bicyclesafety.php