MP calls for mandatory side guards on heavy trucks following cyclist's death

Just finished reading this article....

I have huge issues with cyclists sharing the road with cars. This is an "at your own risk" relationship between the two. If you decide to bike to work - put on your helmet, gear and go - that is a safety risk you have decided to take that particular day. Why anyone would want to share the road with cars - let alone trucks - is beyond me. Not to mention all the immigrant drivers - half not even properly licensed to be on the road.

Most cyclists I see downtown weave in and out of cars - up the sidewalk - down to the road - wherever they can fit basically - and always in a hurry.....

No matter how many reforms are imposed or ideas put on the table - unless the city is willing to put bike lanes "everywhere" - nothing will work. And not many - including myself - would want their tax dollars to pay for this. Putting guards on the sides of trucks is not going to fix anything either. And why should any trucking company have to pay for that expense? Cyclists are a small minority - we are not living in a country such as China or India where cycling is the primary mode of transportation.

We are lucky to live in a country where pedestrians have the right of way...go to Spain and try crossing the road where pedestrians don't have right of way. Good luck with that - I learned this one the hard way.

I remember a simpler time when bike riding was fun - enjoyable - and safe. It was done on sidewalks - and when we came across someone walking ahead - we simply rang our bell or shouted "excuse me lady...."

Just my 2 cents for a Monday morning....
 
If Olivia Chow expects every trucker to retrofit their fleets with these side guards - why not mandate cyclists that ride on the roads be licensed and insured?

As DRC mentioned... many (not all) cyclists weave in and out of cars. What happens in the case that a bike scratches your car? The cyclist takes off. The motorist is out of pocket for the cost of repair.

Just another case of a politician not living in the working man's world.

Please Olivia... go find a tree to hug and leave the truckers alone.
 
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Most cyclists I have ever seen have been nothing short of renegade in attitude. Kind of like the "I'll ride where I want to. Eff you" bike courier way of thinking. Everybody thinks they have bigger balls than Lance Armstrong. I'll bet that would change if cyclists were forced to take out insurance and other licencing requirements since they are also considered a vehicle under the law. Maybe then they'd think twice about how they operate in traffic and accepting responsibility for their own behaviour instead of demonizing others who actually exercise care and control.
 
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