Public Policies

Public policies

CfSC's policies are developed after reviewing similar policies, where they exist, and other studies related to the issue. Each draft is approved by the CfSC Board of Directors, then circulated to CfSC members and cyclists for review and comment. After a review period, the CfSC Board incorporates any required changes and approves the policy in final form. Each final policy directs CfSC's actions related to the issue, and our representation to government and other agencies.

Our policies are focused on cycling aspects. For example, our policy on inline skating only deals with how inline skaters affect cyclists. Whether or not an inline skater wears a helmet is up to inline skaters to decide - unless that affects cyclists.

CfSC policies may be revised by the Board of Directors as the need arises.

We would like to thank all those volunteers and cyclists who have helped us draft our existing policies, and who commented on them and made them better.

These policies have been approved by the CfSC Board of Directors.

Monday, 17 August 2009 20:16

CfSC Policy: Restricted Turns

There are numerous locations throughout the Region where specific manoeuvres (often left turns, but sometimes right turns and straight ahead travel) are restricted. Some of these restrictions apply all day, others only apply at certain times or on certain days of the week.

CfSC Policy: Mixed-Use Pathways

Citizens for Safe Cycling (CfSC) notes that the pathway network in the National Capital Region continues to be extended, and that more links are being established between adjacent municipalities. CfSC also notes that the pathways are heavily used by both tourists and area residents, and therefore supports the continued presence and upgrading of the pathways. Notwithstanding the heavy use of the pathway network, the majority of cycle journeys will be made on the ordinary road network. For this reason the safety and suitability of the road network for cyclists must continue to be of paramount importance.

CfSC considers that the title "Recreational Path" is inappropriate because the pathway network is also heavily used, as an alternative to the road network, by commuting cyclists and by other cyclists undertaking non-recreational journeys. The title "Mixed-Use Pathway" more accurately represents the typical usage of the paths by all classes of cyclists and pedestrians.

CfSC Policy: Road Closures for Earth Day

CfSC has reviewed the impact of the proposed Earth Day road closures on cyclists and other road users. It is the opinion of CfSC that such closures are counter-productive because they act to reinforce the mistaken opinion that cycles can only be used on the roads when other vehicles are restricted from using the roads.

It is a cornerstone of CfSC policy, and the opinion of informed cyclists worldwide, that cyclists can safely and efficiently share the road system with all other road users. CfSC is not prepared to endorse road closures of this type because of the risk of negative publicity against CfSC's long term objective of making the road system safe for all road users to share.

CfSC Policy: Inline Skating

In principle CfSC supports inline skating as another environmentally-friendly, healthy mode of transportation that benefits not only the skater but the whole community.

CfSC Policy: The bicycle as a law enforcement tool

Citizens for Safe Cycling (CfSC) supports the use of bicycles as law enforcement tools, and welcomes their introduction to Ottawa-Carleton. Ottawa, Gloucester and Nepean have now joined police forces across Canada, the United States and throughout the world in recognizing that bicycles can be of significant assistance to police officers in their everyday work.

Monday, 17 August 2009 20:09

CfSC Policy: Child Cycling Education

Citizens for Safe Cycling, believes that effective cycling education and training should be available to every child. This should be undertaken when children are at a suitable age of development and are beginning to ride on their own, around the age of nine.

A bicycle is a child's first vehicle. They have no experience, yet children are given very little cycling instruction. Effective educational programs are ones that happen over time and on the road. Effectiveness is measured by positive behavioural changes and a reduction in crash rates. These programs involve bike handling skills, how to ride on the road and the proper use of helmets. The KIDS CAN-BIKE and other CAN-BIKE programs incorporate all of these elements.

CfSC Policy: Cycle-mounted child carriers

Taking all the following concerns into consideration, it is the opinion of Citizens for Safe Cycling that cycle-mounted child carriers are potentially very hazardous. Citizens for Safe Cycling does not believe that a cycle-mounted carrier is a safe method of transport for children.

CfSC policy: Newsgroup / mailing list Charter

Purpose

This newsgroup / mailing-list is operated by Citizens for Safe Cycling (CfSC), the non-profit association that promotes responsible cycling as a viable mode of transportation in the National Capital region.

Monday, 17 August 2009 19:53

CfSC policy: Bike lanes

Citizens for Safe Cycling (CfSC) recognizes that the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton (RMOC) has earned a reputation, throughout Canada, as a cycling-friendly region. CfSC also acknowledges that said reputation has, to a large extent, been associated with facilities such as mixed-use pathways and bicycle lanes. However, CfSC does not support a dependence on such special facilities and recognizes and stresses its support of vehicular cycling practices in accordance with the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario. CfSC believes that all cyclists should be trained to function responsibly and safely as human powered vehicle drivers in a multimodal environment. CfSC does not support the application of bicycle lanes except in specific circumstances created in areas of poor road design and operation that hinders cycling.

CfSC Policy: Bicycle licensing

Citizens for Safe Cycling (CfSC) does not believe that a bicycle licensing scheme will benefit either cyclists or non-cyclists. Bicycles provide direct benefit to their users (inexpensive transportation, improved health and fitness) and indirect benefits to society as a whole (lower highway costs, less pollution), and therefore the use of bicycles should be encouraged.

CfSC Policy: Bicycle helmets

Citizens for Safe Cycling believes that the vast majority of cycling accidents result from the improper road behaviour and deficient skills of the parties involved. The wearing of a properly designed cycling helmet can offer significant protection against head injuries. Citizens for Safe Cycling therefore recommends that approved helmets be worn by all cyclists.

CfSC does not support mandatory helmet use because this would serve to reinforce the current public misconception that wearing a helmet is the only way of preventing cycling injuries, and would divert effort from the more important factors of education and on-road behaviour.

The use of helmets will not reduce either the incidence of cycling accidents or the many injuries to other parts of the body. The best way to reduce all types of injuries is to reduce accidents. This can most effectively be achieved by proper education of cyclists, and other road users, in the safe use of bicycles on the roads.

-END-

Approved by the CfSC Board, July 1991

Monday, 17 August 2009 19:50

CfSC Policy: Bicycle Helmet Legislation

Policy

It is the opinion of Citizens for Safe Cycling (CfSC) that Bill 124, the Bill to make the wearing of bicycle helmets compulsory in Ontario, should not be enacted because:

It would serve to reinforce the current public misconception that wearing a helmet is the only way of preventing cycling injuries, and
It would divert effort from the more important factors of education and on-road behaviour.

CfSC policy: Benefits of neighbourhood schools

Since Citizens for Safe Cycling strongly encourages cycling and walking to school, we support school locations that allow as many children as possible to walk or cycle to school. We oppose policies that direct urban children to schools that are located so far from their homes as to make walking or cycling too dangerous or completely impractical (other than to permit certain specialized programs).

We support the concept of neighbourhood schools, located in the middle of residential areas in all parts of the city, which can be reached easily by foot or by bike (with special routes set up as necessary for younger children). When new subdivisions are being approved, the proximity and capacity of the neighbourhood schools should be considered. If the schools aren't within walking/cycling distance, the school boards must have plans and schedules to build new schools that meet these needs.

Monday, 12 March 2001 19:00

CfSC policy: Bicycle access to light rail

Combining cycling with public transportation can be the most efficient way to make a trip, using cycling's flexibility and public transportation's speed over longer distances. This synergy has already been demonstrated with the success of OC Transpo's Rack & Roll program (cycling racks on buses) and similar programs in other cities.

Citizens for Safe Cycling believes that the Light Rail system should similarly allow bicycle access.

CfSC policy: Benefits of cycling and walking to school

Citizens for Safe Cycling believes that cycling is an appropriate means of transportation for all ages, barring physical limitations. In particular, we strongly encourage children to cycle to schools and other destinations, once they have achieved the cognitive skills and training needed to safely navigate a bicycle in traffic, and with the understanding that the nature and length of their trips not exceed their physical stamina and abilities.

Tuesday, 30 April 1991 19:00

CfSC Policy: Sidewalk Cycling

Background

Pedestrian safety
Pedestrians travel at about 5 to 8 km/h, and do not expect to be overtaken, or to meet, traffic travelling at a much higher speed. Pedestrians tend to stop suddenly, or move sideways (either when travelling, or from a stationary position) without shoulder-checking. These circumstances can easily cause accidents, with risk of significant injury to both parties. Elderly or poor-sighted pedestrians can also be frightened by faster-moving bicycles. Child pedestrians are typically less controlled on sidewalks, and therefore also present a risk of injury to themselves or to cyclists.

Cyclist safety
The comments above regarding pedestrian safety apply equally to cyclist safety. In addition, at intersections, motorists (and cyclists) are also expecting the traffic on the sidewalk to be moving at about 5 to 8 km/h. They may not anticipate the arrival of a sidewalk cyclist at a much greater speed, and an accident may occur because the cyclist "came from nowhere". Riding up and down sidewalk curbs, and dodging pedestrians, will also increase the risk of a "falling-type" accident.