Open Letter to Ministry of Transport regarding No biking sign

Recently the Active Transportation group sent a letter to the Ministry of Transportation for them to remove the sign  over the bridge with the Cyclist crossed out, inferring no cycling allowed. Included is this link to the document that was sent to the Ministry. The letter will be posted here, the attachments regarding how we believe it doesn't make sense, will be in the attachment.


 
The letter is detailed below.

"Letter to the Ministry of Transportation

To whom it may concern,

The Town of Golden and the Golden Active Transport group is requesting that the No biking sign (R-152) on Highway 95 over to Gould’s Island be removed and replaced with either Cyclist on Roadway sign (W-130), Cyclist warning (W-131) or a sign stating “Cyclists allowed full use of lane”.

The changing of this sign is seen as a pivotal push to changing attitudes to biking on roadways within the town. We would like the Ministry to support us in this endeavour. We see this sign changing as a subtle change message that bikes are welcome on the road.

We would also like to continue other discussions within town, in regards to Highway 95 speeds and ways to make it safer for all road users. "

It is a provincial law that no cycling is allowed on the side walk. However it is generally acceptable for minors under 10 to ride on the side walk.
With that in mind the sign on the bridge does not put forth a positive image about cycling. Nor does it give cyclist the rights that are granted to them under the Motor Vehicles Act.  Which state the a bicycle is a vehicle under the law and afforded the same rights.

As a personal preference i take the lane when crossing the bridge to increase my saftey and the other users of the road way.  I have personally had many people over take me on the bridge.

"If there is no shoulder or bike lane and the curb lane is narrow, cyclists may choose to take the whole lane by riding in the centre of it. This can be safer than riding near the curb, which may encourage motorists to squeeze by where there is not sufficient room."

 

That excerpt is taken from the Bikesense website. As their is no shoulder on the bridge, and people do squeeze past as they are in a hurry, take the lane. The majority of people can cross the bridge in under 30 seconds. I don't see loosing 30 seconds a major inconvenience for anyone. No matter how much of a hurry you are in. That is just my 2 cents.