File photo (Image credit: CFJC Today).

By Mel Rothenburger

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: It’s time to crack down on those frenetic little guys on bicycles

Dec 14, 2023 | 5:55 AM

A SEEMINGLY MINOR INCIDENT tucked at the bottom of this week’s Kamloops RCMP summary of calls resulted in some interesting reaction from Armchair Mayor readers.

The case involved a cyclist failing to stop at a red light on Tranquille Road early one morning. A police officer who was on patrol saw that the man had no helmet and that there were no lights on the bike.

So, he pulled the guy over, found he was breaking a court-ordered curfew, and arrested him.

This, as I say, created some observations about men on bikes in our community. I’m not talking about your everyday legitimate cyclists, of course. The issue is with those frenetic little guys who buzz about town all day long, zipping across streets between vehicles and whizzing through traffic or down sidewalks with no regard for anyone else and their safety.

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It would be unfair to make judgments based on the way they look or dress, or to speculate about what sorts of errands they’re on (maybe they’re making Skip deliveries for all we know), or about how it is they can afford such nice bicycles.

Let’s assume they’ve worked hard and saved up until they have the necessary funds for the purchase. Maybe they ride around so fast because they’re getting exercise or are just in a big hurry to get somewhere.

But what’s not in question is that their nonchalance is dangerous to pedestrians, drivers and themselves. Maybe it’s time to do something about it.

Maybe there should be more on-the-ball vigilance of the kind shown by the officer who arrested the guy on Tranquille Road. I’m not saying police should start stopping cyclists without cause, but how about pulling over a lot more of the ones without proper lights for night-time travel, or who don’t have helmets, or who are riding dangerously.

Fine them or, better yet, take their bikes away. It would make things safer all-round.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. He has served as mayor of Kamloops, school board chair and TNRD director, and is a retired daily newspaper editor. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.