Should Winter Cycling Be Banned in Southern Ontario?

The headline in the Ottawa Citizen reads ““City Considers Ban on Winter Cycling”! A small Quebec town wants to enforce a ban after a man was killed while cycling this winter. Every year the debate rages throughout many regions of Canada, especially large cities where high traffic density is the norm. Let’s take a look at this from a practical perspective.

I know, it’s environmentally friendly, healthy, and inexpensive transportation; but should it be allowed? Is it worth your life? Most cyclists are cognizant of winter hazards and I have to believe that those venturing out on winter streets tend to be the more experienced of the lot. But there are a few things to consider:

• Winter streets can narrow by as much as 10 feet in total by mid-winter.
• Four lane streets can quickly become one lane streets.
• Cars immerging from side streets cannot see because of high snow banks.
• Black ice is often hidden under the snow.
• Traffic becomes even more congested as over cautious drivers refuse to pass a cyclist.
• Cyclists cannot possibly be aware of everything going on around them and navigate slippery, slushy roads at the same time.

There is a time to stand on principle and a time to revert to common sense. If you wind up in a collision with a car or truck you will loose. At that point things like right of way, environmentally friendly, and a good workout don’t really seem to matter much any more.

I’m not sure if banning is the right approach, mostly because I think we’re regulated to death in this province anyway, but I would ask that you give serious thought to whether or not it’s worth the risk.

Myself, I can’t wait till those first warm spring days so I can dust off the bike and head to the trails. But until then I’ll be sticking to 4-wheeled transportation.

Get our and enjoy our great Southern Ontario Outdoors this winter, but maybe limit your cycling to browsing photos from last summer.

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