Bike Patrol Unit hitting local streets

North Bay Police Service
News Release

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The North Bay Police Service will once again be hitting the streets on two wheels. Two new Law Enforcement bicycles have been added to the existing fleet, and five officers have been tasked with carrying out patrols throughout North Bay and Callander. Constables Steve Sproule, Marc Ethier, Steve Trahan, Merv Shantz and Steve Brown will focus their efforts this summer on the downtown core, the waterfront, bicycle paths, and any back streets and alleyways that are difficult to patrol with a conventional police cruiser. The Bike Patrol Unit (BPU) is designed to complement the existing police patrols, while adding emphasis to bicycle and pedestrian safety.

“Being on a patrol bike allows us do some things that may be otherwise difficult to do in a conventional cruiser.” Says Cst. Shantz. “We now have the ability to stop and talk to people and educate them about bike safety, or, if a crime is being committed and we are in the area, we can get there quickly and take the call ourselves, or assist other officers that may need a hand.”

The BPU will operate at various hours throughout the months of July, August and September, and the officers are fully equipped, and clearly identifiable with their Enforcement Bicycles, and modified Police Uniforms which will keep them comfortable while riding.

Cst. Marc Ethier, a fifteen-year veteran of the Police Service, has already had some experiences out on the bike “Lots of people either don’t realize, or don’t care that the Highway Traffic Act applies to them”, Says Ethier. I’ve seen too many young cyclists without helmets, and when asked why, some say it’s too hot, or it’s not “cool”. The law is there for a reason, and we will be enforcing it when necessary. Ethier has also been conducting RaDAR speed checks on motor vehicles on Main Street in Callander, where the speed limit is 40 km/hr.

Some of the bicycle laws that the officers will focus on under the Highway Traffic Act are Helmet laws - everyone under 18 must properly wear a bicycle helmet at all times or face an $80 fine - and other rules of the road, such as obeying all traffic lights and signs. “It really is a two way street, so to speak.” Says Shantz. “Many motorists don’t give cyclists enough room to ride safely, or they roll through a stop sign, cutting off a bike, but on the other hand, how many times have I seen a bike come out of nowhere, through a stop sign and into the path of a moving car?” We all need to be vigilant about how we ride or drive on public roads.”

By–laws will also be enforced, especially in the Downtown where cyclists riding on sidewalks could face a $60 fine. The area is currently heavily signed, and the Police Service has received numerous complaints about cyclists riding dangerously on the sidewalk. The officers on bikes will attempt to address these issues throughout the summer months.

Bicycle related laws

Law/Fine

- Everyone under 18 must wear a proper helmet with chin strap done up $80

- Caregiver of child under 16 are responsible for helmet on child $ 80

- Improper (or no) arm signal to indicate turns or stops $110

- Ride two on a bike $110

- Cyclist - fail to stop and identify self to police $110

Equipment

- Bikes must have proper brakes $110
- Bikes must have a horn, or bell $110
- At night, bikes must have a light at the front, and a light or reflector at the rear $35

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