New bicycle bylaw endorsed by Saskatoon city council

The rules for riding a bicycle within Saskatoon city limits are changing, as is how drivers act around cyclists.

Saskatoon city council unanimously endorsed a significant reworking of the bicycle bylaw on Monday, updating the rules for cyclists to reflect modern times.

The bylaw was backed Monday, but still needs to go through steps before it goes through council again in the future.

The new regulations will mandate that drivers pass cyclists on the road with a minimum one-metre buffer, while an amendment passed 9-2 by council will also force cyclists to use the same buffer when passing pedestrians on a multi-use pathway.

Coun. Sarina Gersher and Coun. Mairin Lowen voted against the proposal.

Cyclists also won’t have to stay as close as possible to the curb when riding along the road.

Bike users under 14 will get a pass, with the new bylaw allowing them to ride on the sidewalk. However, councillors are asking for a report on what the effects would be if they banned all bike users from using the sidewalks in designated business improvement districts — including the downtown core.

The study was backed by council by a vote of 8-3. Coun. Hilary Gough, along with Loewen and Gersher voted against it.

A report has also been requested on a city staff recommendation to allow cyclists to use the roadway, even if a bike lane is available. The old bylaw forced cyclists to use the designated lane.

When it comes to enforcement, both Saskatoon City Police and Community Support Officers will be able to issue tickets for perpetrators.

So, what’s next?

Saskatoon’s City Solicitor will prepare the amendments to the bicycle bylaw, while the reports council asked for will be studied by administration.

Ward 10 Councillor and Chair of Saskatoon’s Transportation committee Zach Jeffries said with a complex file such as the bylaw change, it’s their duty to do their due diligence.

“Anytime that you’ve got complex issues in front of council, you don’t want council or any elected representatives to simply throw their hand up to simply say ‘hey, yes I approve,’ or ‘I disapprove.’ I think its incumbent upon people representing a wide variety of views to take a good, hard look at all the details and then ask good questions and if you need more information, you get more information.”

The additional reports will look at how cyclists use the roadway when bicycle lanes are available and how cyclists under 14 riding on the sidewalk will effect use in areas such as designated business improvement districts and industrial areas.

“There were some items there where we don’t have a final result. We’re looking for more information from administration and then can move forward accordingly.”

Jeffries said the reports will be back to council “in the new year.” He also said he’s interested to see the report come back on how cyclists use the roadway even if there is a bicycle lane as an option.

“If there is dedicated cycling infrastructure, it makes sense to ask for cyclists to use that, instead of being on the shared right of way with other vehicles. We’re going to have more information coming back on that.”