Cyclists belong in the traffic lane on the Portage Bridge

For immediate release - Thursday, April 30, 1998

"Remember that cyclists belong in the traffic lane on the Portage Bridge"

That's what Citizens for Safe Cycling (CfSC) is telling motorists and the National Capital Commission today, after recent public messages issued by the NCC implied that cyclists don't belong on the bridge.

"Speeders, aggressive drivers, and motorists who cut off, tailgate and honk at cyclists are the ones who don't belong on a bridge under construction" said CfSC Cycling Safety and Promotion Program Coordinator Gavin MacPhail. "Letting everyone have their fair share of the lane will ensure that we all get to work without problems."

CfSC president Brett Delmage recounted his experience on the Bridge two weeks ago. "Two, very aggressive STO bus drivers cut me off, honked and tailgated me as I tried to move out of the bus/HOV lane to the general traffic lane. I discussed this with the RCMP officer who was stopped in the middle of the bridge observing traffic. He told me that 'they [STO bus drivers] think they own the road.'

The RCMP clearly have a demanding job trying to control aggressive driving on the Portage Bridge, when so many motorists act like reckless yahoos."

MacPhail said it was inappropriate for the National Capital Commission to imply that cyclists were marginal users of the bridge, by telling them to walk their bikes or detour to another bridge, while failing to address dangerous motorist and STO bus driver behaviour.

"It is neither safe nor appropriate to cycle on the bridge sidewalks, and walking across the bridge would add at least 10 minutesto a cyclist's trip. As for other suggested bridges, the Chaudiere Bridge is no safer, being narrow and in bad repair, and detouring to the Interprovincial Bridge could add 6 km, or 25 minutes, to a commute. The Portage bridge is the most direct route to many workplaces in Hull."

Delmage pointed out that that if cyclists using the bridge give up in disgust and switch to cars the traffic jams will get worse since cyclists can use limited bridge and road space more efficiently than cars.

CfSC is encouraging cyclists who are confident riding in traffic to continue to use the general traffic lane on the Bridge, which they have the legal right to use. Cyclists should report all occurances of aggressive driving, including speeding beyond the safe posted speed limit of 40 km/h, to the RCMP at 993-8823 and to CfSC at 722-4454 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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Contact: Gavin MacPhail, Citizens for Safe Cycling  567-1288

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