NEWS RELEASE
GUELPH POLICE SERVICE
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To make local roads safer for all road users, Guelph Police Service’s Traffic Unit, the City of Guelph, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health and the University of Guelph are working together.
If done safely and without distraction, walking and cycling have a number of benefits for a community, including decreases in health conditions, air pollution and traffic congestion.
Everyone, including people who drive, bicycle or walk, is responsible for the safety of our community. Bikes are considered a vehicle and should be driven on the road, as opposed to the sidewalk.
Furthermore, people riding bikes must get off and walk the bike through all crosswalks. Traffic signals must be followed by all road users, whether they are walking, cycling or driving. Pedestrians should also cross the road at designated crosswalks or intersections.
Lastly, like drivers, people who are walking and cycling should not be distracted during travel. Put away all electronic devices and pay attention to your surroundings.
If all road users follow and respect the rules of the road, actions will be more predictable, leading to a safer community. In the past decade, the rate of emergency room visits for collisions involving people riding bikes has increased seven percent among Guelph residents.
Guelph Police Services has also noted a considerable increase in collisions with people who walk and people who cycle in recent years. These increases likely do not represent the total number of pedestrian and cyclist collisions happening in the community. Acting Sergeant Dan Mosey of the Guelph Police Services stated that “many of these types of collisions do not get reported.”
A collision happens when a vehicle causes property damage, injury or death. This can be done directly with impact or indirectly without impact (for example, a cyclist swerves to avoid hitting a car and is thrown from the bike).
Acting Sergeant Mosey also said: “If you are directly or indirectly involved in a collision with a cyclist or a pedestrian, please call the police so an officer can determine if an investigation is needed.”
The partnership aims for all Guelph motorists, cyclists and pedestrians to use roads without conflict or injuries. These efforts will officially launch at the Police Week event on May 13 at Market Square from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., with continued awareness efforts and community enforcement to follow.
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