Cyclists defend using sidewalk where pedestrian was struck and killed

Cyclists travelling through the North York neighbourhood where Nobu Okamoto, 74, was run down by a bicycle are defending their choice to use the sidewalk, just days after he died from his injuries.

On Thursday afternoon, a Star reporter witnessed at least 10 cyclists on Finch Ave. W., near Sentinel Rd., fail to comply with the bylaw that prohibits riding on sidewalks on vehicles with wheels larger than 61 centimetres in diameter.

Okamoto’s family insists that bikes have no place on the sidewalk, but local cyclists say they have no choice due to narrow roads and fast cars.

RELATED STORY: Sidewalk cyclists face crackdown

Khemraj Ganga rides his bike on the Finch Ave. W. sidewalk on a regular basis to get to work as a security guard.

“Nobody’s going to make me ride on the road. If I can’t ride here, I’ll stop riding because it is not safe for me,” he said.

Ganga, 55, claims he is a safe cyclist, especially when pedestrians are near.

“When I’m close to pedestrians, I come to a complete stop. No pedestrian is going to tell me I’m going to hit them. They’re going to walk into my bicycle. I’m not going to hit them, though.”

Another cyclist — who declined to give his name — cited poor road conditions and cars travelling up to 80 km/h as the reasons he rides on pedestrian walkways.

When informed of the $3.75 fine associated with the bylaw, the cyclist shot back saying: “There’s a certain size (of wheels) that you’re technically not supposed to ride on. This size is okay.”

With the number of cyclists using the sidewalk, some local residents have become accustomed to looking over their shoulder.

Cory Sampson, 17, who lives in the same apartment building as Okamoto did, is often caught off-guard by cyclists who whiz by with no warning.

“They just expect (pedestrians) to know that they’re coming. I always have to be on the lookout for something that comes up behind me,” he said.

A bike lane was installed several years ago on Sentinel Rd. as part of the original 2001 Toronto Bike Plan. However, local cyclists say a bike lane down Finch Ave. W. would have been more useful for accessing services and stores at Jane St. and Finch Ave. W.

With the recent death of Okamoto, Councillor Shelley Carroll said the bylaws need to be reviewed because they were originally geared toward accommodating children cyclists living in a “car-oriented” area like North York.

“It’s time — with the ever-increasing number of cyclists on the road — for (cyclists) to start to keep in mind that . . . they control the speed like everyone else,” she said.

“Speed kills, whatever vehicle you’re on.”

-- Liem Vu, Staff Reporter

Comments

[Jun]

As a driver and also a bike aficionado, we really need bike lanes all over Toronto. I've been to Oakland a couple of times and I gotta say that small businesses there are thriving, the air is amazingly clean, and people are amazingly friendly because there's a good balance of car traffic and bike traffic in all its streets.

[serge]

"..a Star reporter witnessed at least 10 cyclists ... fail to comply with the bylaw"? Why police does not enforce this bylaw? Why people got killed and there is nothing done to stop this? The same question about enforcing HTA that numerous reckless drivers "fail to comply" and threaten my life when I ride my bicycle each day on the roads of North York? I do not ride on sidewalks. Yet.

[Tubbs]

No amount of bylaws or enforcement measures will reduce this until we all realize that we are very poor at sharing our public spaces in this city. Why do we feel we need to zoom past slower vehicles on city streets? Why do we feel empowered to whiz by slow pedestrians on the sidewalk on our bikes. Why are most of us oblivious to our surrondings? When did we become so self centred that we don't even recognize that we are potentially endagering others? Whether it's a car speeding on a quiet neighborhood street, a bike rider zooming past an elderly pedestrian or a commuter rushing on to a subway once the doors open without letting passengers exit... What happened to common courtesy? Throw your garbage in garbage cans, keep right exept to pass, and pass safely, slow down around children and elderly pedestrians, let people get off the bus before rushing to get on, USE YOUR TURN SIGNAL!!!

[Biker]

Yesterday I was nearly clipped by a bunch of construction guys in a pickup truck biking up Yonge st when I was on on right lane. When I confronted them they told me off for biking on the road.

[gloria]

Cyclists do not ride on sidewalks because bike lanes are available or not available.They can get on the TTC, they don't have to ride bikes to get to wherever they are going. If you don't have a car, you have to use the sidewalk to get to the TTC so you can get to your destination. There are people who use the sidewalk who are elderly, handicapped or children. Because of the selfishness of cyclists, these vulnerable individuals are endangered.
It is illegal for an adult to ride on the sidewalk. Please enforce the law Mr/Ms police officer.
If you as a cyclist choose to do something dangerous like riding your bike, it is not the responsibility of the pedestrian to lobby for more bike lanes (that you may possibly use).

[Marcie Getgood]

Using the lack of bike lanes as an excuse for killing a pedestrian is ludicrous! Even where there are bike lanes, some cyclists choose to ride on sidewalks and I've also witnessed hot dog cyclists terrorizing other cyclists on bike lanes. Face facts, there some obnoxious cyclists out there who ride through red lights, stop signs, past open street car doors etc etc and etc. I've never once seen a police officer issue a ticket or even a warning to a cyclist. Not once! Pedestrians have to watch for careless drivers as they are crossing streets, when they have the right of way, and now, we have to watch for irresponsible cyclists on sidewalks too. And I don't want to hear any "environment" drivel either. Like "be kind to the environment" gives the licence to kill people. Nothing is more in tune with saving the environment than people who walk but that basic activity is becoming increasingly dangerous.

[Kevin]

gloria... You are so wrong about everything... First like the article said age does not matter about riding on the side walk, only the size of the wheel.

Secondly biking is safe it is the cars that pass to close, zoom by and merge into the cyclest without looking that are unsafe. People need to learn to look before they turn or merge.

Cycling is faster than driving and a great way to stay fit. Gloria if you want to get in a car, get fat, get road rage then by all means do so, but don't hit a cyclist.

[Judy La Rose]

My mother is in great danger and at risk then!!!
At 86 years of age she will walk, even with pain.
The bikes on sidewalks are like bullets just missing her!
No warning bell. No horn. No warning.
But she is deaf in one ear.
She isn't safe to walk on the sidewalk.
May as well have been a car! You see, they need to be thought of as vehicles and all laws enforced!
My dog almost ate one bike rider as it, without warning, was 2 inches from my own face walking on the sidewalk. She was only trying to protect me from my attacker!!! Isn't that too close? Where is "my space"? My dog thought he was in my face! He's not a dangerous dog.
Dangerous place now, though. The sidewalk.
For the sake of safety, we actually need to teach a new VIEW of the sidewalk!
The whole thing is so unbelievably ridiculous to expect so many "things" to occur on one path that don't mix!!! LOL! Just a bike path? I don't think so! It's not exclusive, just isn't. Because all people and children don't know. Bike riders I'm sorry but you need to expect something to be in your path at all times! It's not a raceway. Race down the highway for that. Maybe when we all have our spaces instead of being put together in a pot and wished the best of luck to ya! But what do I know. I wanted subways!
So tell my mother where to walk if not the sidewalk?
And tell me where to walk my dog if not the sidewalk?
And tell the child where to learn to ride the bike if not the sidewalk!!!!