Road marking called "elephant feet" are being used along Carry Drive.--NEWS PHOTO BRENDAN MILLER
bmiller@medicinehatnews
City council passed a new bylaw to establish multi-use crossings at locations where the Heritage Trail System crosses over roadways.
The bylaw is aimed to provide both motorists and path users more clarity on when drivers need to yield at crosswalks where the trail system crosses roadways. Previously pedestrians only had the right of way at crosswalks.
Under the new bylaw the right of way will be given to all path users including bicycles, skateboards and scooters.
The Public Roads Bylaw will allow the city manager to designate new multi-use crosswalks by using traffic control devices and signage.
The city currently uses road marking along Carry Drive called “elephant feet” at crosswalks with signage to visually identify trail crossings.
“It’s important that this is understood by both drivers and cyclists what the etiquette is when it comes to navigating these pathways that cross roads,” said Alex McCuaig with Bike Medicine Hat.
The bylaw will also allow children under the age of 14 to ride their bicycle on the sidewalks.
Under the Alberta Traffic Safety Act cyclists of any age are not allowed to ride their bicycles on any sidewalk unless their bicycle has a wheel diameter of 50 centimetres or less.
McCuaig has been advocating for this change, as he feels it’s too dangerous for children to be cycling on the road.
“There are risks with cycling, there are risks with young children”, adds McCuaig. “But it’s far safer for a child at nine, 10 or 11 years-old whether going to school or going to a friend’s house to utilize the sidewalk as a safe space.”
Moving forward the city plans to select several locations for multi-use crossing along the existing multi-use trail system.
