Sharing the road

Sep 01, 2010- 5:13 PM

By: Sudbury Northern Life Staff

More than 200 cyclists of all ages gathered at Science North for the second annual Sudbury Share the Road event on Aug. 30.

Photo by Heather Green-Oliver

Sudbury Olympian Devon Kershaw teamed up with Eleanor McMahon, the CEO and founder of the Share the Road Cycling Coalition, to raise awareness for bike safety.

The importance of sharing the road was driven home as a cyclist who was trying to join the group was struck by a car during the second half of the ride.

An off-duty paramedic on a motorcycle stopped to assist the stricken cyclist, who was awake and trying to stand up. He was taken to the Sudbury Regional Hospital where he is now recovering from serious but non-life threatening injuries. Police say they do not expect to lay charges against the driver of the car.

For more information on the Share the Road Cycling Coalition, go to www.sharetheroad.ca

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5 Comments

Phillip Morris 9/2/2010 10:27:15 AM - Report Abuse

Southend, the law prohibits pedestrians and bicycles on 400 series highways to protect them from high speed traffic.
Regardless of the excuse manufactured by stating Duhamel's group had "expensive road bikes" with skinny tires, common sense didn't prevail. The end result was inevitable.

Again, why would 'professional' cyclists choose to drive on such a dangerous route? Why not use another, less used road? One wider and safer? All pavement is the same.

Simple answer-- Smug sense of entitlement. One that the law says they have the right to use the road; and logic be dammed, they'll do it.
Agreed 99gt, time to prohibit bikes on any road with a speed limit above 60. Allow cities to invoke bylaws that create no-bike streets just as there are banned truck routes. A formula based on traffic flow, road character and general safety.
Bottom line, bike education begins with the BIKE rider.
99gt 9/2/2010 1:32:37 AM - Report Abuse

Bike should not be allowed on roads with a speed limit greater than 60/kph
South End 9/1/2010 7:54:28 PM - Report Abuse

A bit over the top boys. It's human nature that there will always be a few idiots in every bunch.

I could easily focus on my negative interactions with traffic and paint drivers in the same brush, much like you just did all bikers.

I believe the majority of us do follow the rules and prefer bike paths where available.

Phillip Morris: I guess you didn't see it on the news when it happened. They were riding expensive road bikes. These bikes have tire widths of less then one inch. The bike path was a gravel path. Their bikes simply wouldn't work on that path. Probably damage them too.
Top Gun 9/1/2010 6:29:00 PM - Report Abuse

Where there are bike paths from what I see, the majority don't use them. They prefer the center of the outside lane and hold up traffic. If you give a couple of little beeps you usualy get the finger.
Get to hell off the road or take your chances. If you want bike paths, pay for them.
joy_3 9/1/2010 5:46:20 PM - Report Abuse

Sharing the road is pretty hard when all the main arteries are down to 1 lane each way cause of construction. There has been no considerations for bikes or pedestrians on any of the major thoroughfares.