BICYCLE riders want to encourage cycling in the Central Business District.
Jim Ward, co-founder of the Daily Cycle Movement (DCM) advocates the use of
bicycles for mobility and envisions a time when Session Road will be open to bikes anew.
Ward, who is part of a loose group of bike riders in the city advocates set-up of bike lanes in key areas in the city and the importance of the one meter distance of vehicles from bikes for safety made the call to look into the welfare of bikers in the hope their plea will now be heard.
Ward and the DCM are trying to convince the City Council to amend the ordinance banning bikes at Session road crafted in the 1940’s.
Ordinance 66 was made in 1948 which prohibits motorcycles and tricycles from roads. The law was amended in 1965 but still banned bikes.
“It’s not the 1960’s anymore, we want to encourage cycling not discourage it,” Ward said adding that lifting the ban to bike the expanse of Session road will be symbolic win for the cycling community as well as a step forward in the advancement of rights for cyclists.
Ward added bike lanes set up at key areas of the city is also advocated to be able to maximize mobility and access to services in the city for cyclists.
The bike advocate also talked about a need to separate the motorcyclists from the bike riders when crafting and deciding on laws as both groups are different.
Session Road is the only road in the city where bikes are banned but according to Ward, the road plays an important part in accessibility as well as perception of motorists and people to the cycling community.
“Session Road where bikes are banned creates the impression that there is something wrong about bikes, that bikes are a threat to roads and is a safety hazard,” Ward said.