Policing of motorists illegally using cycle lanes in Ireland is often left to traffic wardens or private clampers, but Toronto has chosen a different direction — the police force there has formed a dedicated unit to crackdown on the issue.
Meet Toronto's new bike lane safety squad https://t.co/DXqAjx1c8e pic.twitter.com/1Mc4cePDcs
— CBC Toronto (@CBCToronto) August 4, 2017
The three parking enforcement officers who are part of the squad are all on twitter — Kyle Ashley, Erin Urquhart, and Sabrina Kloetzig, and the team have received a lot of local media attention:
This sums up the @TorontoPolice & @ParkingTPS commitment to #BikeTO / #TOPoli safety, & what community can do.
Vid: @TorontoStar @dmrider pic.twitter.com/Rc00r7Arfv— PEO K. Ashley (@TPS_ParkingPal) August 12, 2017
The three regularly highlight poor parking in the way Irish campaigners do with the #freethecyclelanes — the difference is, the officers are also ticketing the offenders. Yes, @gardatraffic highlights and sometimes tickets, but at a much lower level for parking issues and lower again regarding cycle lanes.
Hmm @freshcityfarms … Parking in an accessible spot to make a delivery isn’t very “fresh”…your driver made eye contact & walked off. pic.twitter.com/586oFTm8QY
— PEO K. Ashley (@TPS_ParkingPal) August 11, 2017
Busy day on Bay St. Just another drop? Bike lanes are for bikes not vehicles #bikeTO. pic.twitter.com/hy8OPjffZG
— Sabrina Kloetzig (@TPS_pke_rider) August 10, 2017
The #BlueHornet #BikeBrigade stings again for 150$. Stopping on Richmond cycle track is a big no no. Unless you want to meet us 3. #BikeTO pic.twitter.com/33rv2X32XO
— PEO K. Ashley (@TPS_ParkingPal) August 11, 2017
They respond to requests for enforcement:
You asked & I came to enforce. Tagged 2 cars tagged in the Shuter St #bikelane accessible permits not exempt. #bikeTO #sharetheroad pic.twitter.com/AtOmgIEuD6
— PEO Erin Urquhart (@TPS_BikeHart) August 8, 2017
And get positive feedback for it:
Hands up if you #biketo in #toronto and have bikecrushes on our new heros of the bike lanes @TPS_ParkingPal @TPS_pke_rider @TPS_BikeHart
— Joe (@josephtravers) August 4, 2017
The team also shows examples of good loading, which does not block cycle lanes:
Great work @UPS_Canada @UPSHelp … Using the loading bay as intended, leaving bike lane and traffic unobstructed. pic.twitter.com/y8D8zaye0H
— PEO K. Ashley (@TPS_ParkingPal) August 11, 2017
.@BeckTaxi respecting the bike lane. This is how we keep people safe and moving @RoyalTaxiInc @coopcabs @MapleLeafTaxi … Can you do same? pic.twitter.com/3G5fApvg1o
— PEO K. Ashley (@TPS_ParkingPal) August 9, 2017
The high-profile push was planned by police management:
Class of 20 Parking Enforcement Officers lectured by social media star/friend and Chief City Planner of @TorontoComms @jen_keesmaat #BikeTO pic.twitter.com/2AySFBx3uH
— PEO K. Ashley (@TPS_ParkingPal) July 27, 2017
Twenty Parking Enforcement Officers are being trained on Twitter & Instagram at Toronto Police College July 27, 2017 #BikeTO #WalkTO #yyz pic.twitter.com/5JJGbLAdhQ
— Scott Mills 🇨🇦 (@GraffitiBMXCop) July 27, 2017
Political will may also be needed to tackle the issue:
Toughen your rules about parking in bike lanes, mayor tells Canada Post https://t.co/4WWUbtcE29
— Belleville On Bikes (@BellevilleBikes) August 8, 2017
When I look around everyday and see what the Gardai do in relation to enforcement of cycle-lanes and prioritized/targeted safety on our streets in general; and compare them to the example above and what some of the UK police-services do; I’m left with the strange feeling that somehow I’m glimpsing an alternate reality. There’s just so much of a gap in the approach…..
Sadly Citizen Wolf echoes my concerns too. The Garda members are not at the races in relation to protecting vulnerable road users (VRUs) from #freethecyclelanes/fly-parking, dangerous overtaking, inappropriate speeding, checking HGV permits in Dublin City, distracted driving, etc.
I know Traffic Corps numbers have fallen to under 700 members but the ordinary members out-on-beat can do much more.The entire force should be out on bikes while patrolling so that all members/officers understand vulnerability in traffic.
Hanging around street corners handing out hi-vis is not active policing to protect VRUs. It’s a stunt!
ANY level of enforcement would be an improvement on what is happening on our streets. The safety of pedestrians and cyclists is completely ignored by the members of AGS. DCC also has a lot to answer for also. The traffic warden team is being reduced and seems to be that the plan is to close it down. It is a desperate situation that no city should have to deal with. Management at both DCC and AGS should be made accountable for the lack of leadership on the issue.
You mean you’re asking the Gardai to do some actual work………methinks we’ll be waiting
Traffic wardens? We have traffic wardens? Actually I haven’t seen a Garda in ages either. A little bit of enforcement would be an improvement.