Support Increased Bike Lane Abuse Fines

Regular readers of the Blog know that I get around the city on foot, on bike or via the tube.
Once in awhile, I'll post a rant about the atrocious state of bike lanes in our city (as well as biking conditions in general, but I digress...)

One thing that really puts a bee in my bonnet is cars and delivery trucks parked in said bike lanes. I think delivery truck companies, in particular, had champagne celebrations when bike lanes were installed. Free parking! Downtown! Pop those corks!

The Toronto Cyclists Union is calling on people to add their voices to the fight to double the fine for parking/stopping in bike lane to $120. Meagre, I know, but better than $60. The union is also advocating for more enforcement.

We all know the only thing that will stop drivers (and delivery companies) from breaking the rule is to hit them in their pocket books.

How can you help? Well, at the Police Services Board meeting Nov 19 the "Toronto Cyclists Union will be making a written and in-person deputation asking that the fine for parking / stopping in a bike lane be doubled to $120, and that Toronto Police - Parking Enforcement be compelled to have it's officers begin prioritizing the ticketing of all manner of vehicles stopped or parked illegally in bike lanes throughout the city.

Please take 5 minutes before 10am on Thursday November 19th to email your support for both of these requests being made on your behalf by the Toronto Cyclists Union.
TO: alok.mukherjee@tpsb.ca, Joanne.Campbell@tpsb.ca
CC: 'Hugh.Smith@torontopolice.on.ca'; 'lpawlow@toronto.ca'; 'fbalda@toronto.ca'; 'info@bikeunion.to'

Subject: Bike Lane Parking Enforcement & Fine Increase

Here is some text you can use - or compose your own:

As a cyclist (and occasional driver - if this is the case) in Toronto, I would like to express my support for an increase in the set fine amount for parking / stopping in a bike lane to $120. Additionally, I believe that Parking Enforcement Officers should prioritize more rigorous enforcement of the no-stopping in bike lanes bylaw.

Cars, delivery trucks and buses parked in bike lanes are a serious threat to the safety of cyclists in Toronto. Cyclists are most vulnerable when they are forced to swerve out of a bike lane to go around motor vehicles stopped in the lane dedicated to the safe passage of cyclists.

Sincerely,

Your name

Toronto Cyclists Union member / supporter."
Cheers,

Vanessa