(paNOW Staff/ Nigel Maxwell)

By Ronald Quaroni

Sidewalk Cycler

Prince Albert bike expert reacts to Saskatoon’s bike bylaw amendment

Feb 26, 2020 | 12:00 PM

In an effort to make the streets safer for younger kids, Saskatoon City Council is moving forward with proposals to amend their bicycle bylaw. The update would allow children 14 years and under to ride bikes on sidewalks.

A Prince Albert dad and outdoor activity business owner thinks the age amendment proposal is a good idea.

“I think ultimately putting children in a safer place on the sidewalk is the right way to go,” Owner/ Manager of Fresh Air Experience, Mike Horn told paNOW. “I don’t feel comfortable putting a young child out on the road. You hear all these stories about distracted driving. The last thing you want is for an accident to happen involving a motorist and a cyclist.”

Horn said children are the most at risk on the road. Their stature and inexperience riding on roadways can leave them vulnerable to drivers.

“When (kids are) small and you consider parked vehicles and moving traffic they may not be quite as noticeable as an adult that knows the rules of the road,” he noted.

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While kids would still have to watch out for cars backing in and out of driveways Horn explained sidewalks are a safer area for bike-riders and with the addition of bike horns or bells, the risk to pedestrians could be minimized as well.

As bike season approaches Horn hopes all riders stay safe.

“Spring is right around the corner and we really need to start thinking about this stuff. Make sure the bikes are tuned up properly, the brakes work, the shifting works, everything works properly. Make sure that your child wears a helmet and if you go for a bike ride you wear a helmet too,” Horn said.

In Prince Albert the bicycle bylaw is not age specific but states that a bike that has tires bigger than 40 cm’s cannot be ridden on sidewalks.

The Prince Albert Police Service in an e-mail stated, they hope all bike riders keep safety in mind when hitting the road. PAPS also encouraged riders of all ages to wear a helmet at all times.

(With files from CKOM)

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Ron.quaroni@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @RonaldQuaroni