There is no question that bicycles and urban areas can be an extremely dangerous combination. Having multiple bicycles in one area alone can be fraught with risks. Add to that cars, pedestrians, baby strollers, and all the other things that go into city life, and you’ve got yourself a potentially catastrophic mix.
So what are city administrators to do? We can’t ban bicycles altogether. In theory, they are one of the greatest possible forms of transportation. Bicycles are eco-friendly, good for people’s health, and quiet. In fact, some municipal governments have done a very good job at creating and enforcing policies that provide a safe environment for cyclists and everyone else on the road. Others haven’t fared so well.
Canadian cities are often hailed as paradigms of urban success. But in the area of bicycle safety, the city of Winnipeg is one that ultimately failed in its efforts to create a common space for cyclists.
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Why some cities succeed where others fail
It is useful to start by looking at the components necessary for bicycle-safe cities all over the world. There needs to first be legal recourse for anyone who is hurt in an accident. In Tuscon, for example, cyclists that suffer from accidents can seek help from Tucson bike lawyers. And there are other major factors involved, as well.
Proper infrastructure
City planners need to create the right infrastructure if they hope to succeed in keeping cyclists safe from drivers and other urban elements. This means dedicated lanes for cyclists. It also means creating laws that enforce violations of these lanes.
To really be effective, cities should also mandate the use of cycle boxes at intersections. This allows cyclists to get ahead of drivers. Getting ahead allows them to see properly and make turns safely. Copenhagen, Utrecht, and even New York rank highly. These places have done a great job at enforcing these policies.
Adherence to regulations
There is another major factor involved in creating a safe city for cyclists. This is the creation of policies that keep everyone on the road safe. Drivers need to be aware of Vulnerable Road User laws. Cities that have created strong cultures around cycling have managed to make these laws known by everyone. Places like Amsterdam, Portland, and Montreal all have cycling fully entrenched into their cultures.
Why did Winnipeg fail?
Despite the successes of other parts of Canada, the city of Winnipeg has had repeated problems trying to create a functional space for both cyclists and drivers. What appeared to be a solid start to this process has unfortunately been riddled with problems.
The main challenges
There are several primary reasons why Winnipeg continues to have bicycle problems. The city as a whole struggles with crime in general. But in any case administrators would be wise to take a page from other cities that managed to beat the odds in terms of bicycle safety.
There are different components involved in creating a bicycle-friendly city.
Infrastructure and enforcement
Let’s start by looking at one of the biggest obstacles to bicycle safety in urban areas. Infrastructure and law enforcement should be examined together. Winnipeg city administrators can’t agree on this. Some think that the creation of protected bicycle lanes is most important. And others think that the enforcement of existing laws should take precedence.
Theft remains rampant
Bicycle theft is a big problem in Winnipeg. Crime is a big problem all over the city. But much more could be done to target bicycle-related problems in general. Here we see the same political problems that exist with infrastructure. City administrators fail to agree on how best to target the problem. Some think that the city should focus mostly on accident prevention. Others say that bicycle racks should be installed around the city. The two parties can’t come to an agreement. And this is why the high theft rate continues.
Rule enforcement
Even the subject of rule enforcement itself is contentious among Winnipeg city officials. The province of Manitoba has a set of laws known as the Highway Traffic Act. This includes regulations related to cyclists. The Act includes rules about minors wearing helmets. It also says that bicycles with 50 centimeter diameters cannot be on sidewalks. Cyclists must yield to pedestrians. And they must use hand signals.
Despite the existence of these rules, city administrators cannot agree on which aspects of the law to emphasize. Some claim that licensing and registration should be the highest priority. Others insist that punishing traffic violations should take precedence. Simple logic would dictate that both of these things should be emphasized simultaneously. But the inability of city officials to agree with each other means that the situation remains gridlocked.
What does the future hold?
The question for Winnipeg is how to create a system that works before the incidence of bicycle accidents completely spirals out of control. Perhaps the answer lies in something more fundamental than simply creating bicycle racks.
Some cities have truly been successful in creating safe spaces for cyclists. These ones have continuously fostered a culture of bicycle friendliness. This means more than simply putting up structures or punishing drivers that hit people on bikes. It means infusing the benefits of cycling into other municipal institutions. City-wide celebrations, joint business events, and special benefits for cyclists are just a few of the things that cities can do to create a better atmosphere.
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Is there hope?
Several places have managed to turn themselves around in recent years. People familiar with the historical situation in China would be shocked. Many never have imagined what we see today. A Chinese city is now one of the top ten most bicycle-friendly places in the world. New York also serves as an excellent example of a place that managed to beat the odds in bicycle friendliness.
Just as importantly, focusing on this seemingly minor aspect of city life could potentially be a boon to Winnipeg’s overall situation. We’ve all heard of the “broken glass” theory about crime prevention. Perhaps shifting the focus a bit is what is called for. We should emphasize something that is both healthy and gets people’s endorphins running could help boost the city’s mood overall. There is still hope yet.
