Originally Posted by Lychee (Post 7802360)

The event today has been blown out of proportion in the media. Critical Mass has been happening every month in Vancouver for years now, but only this one has massive warnings to stay away. Perhaps due to the long weekend + Pride + Police games?

I witnessed the Critical Mass a month ago at the end of June. There was no violence. There was no pushing. It was all a fairly standard, low key affair - hundreds if not thousands of cyclists of all ages, all smiling and having a great time cycling through downtown Vancouver's streets.

Originally Posted by R I C H (Post 7802293)

Rumour has it that you can still catch a glimpse of an old raised mast on a good day.

Originally Posted by Lychee (Post 7802360)

The event today has been blown out of proportion in the media. Critical Mass has been happening every month in Vancouver for years now, but only this one has massive warnings to stay away. Perhaps due to the long weekend + Pride + Police games?

I witnessed the Critical Mass a month ago at the end of June. There was no violence. There was no pushing. It was all a fairly standard, low key affair - hundreds if not thousands of cyclists of all ages, all smiling and having a great time cycling through downtown Vancouver's streets.

Originally Posted by The4BellsLondon (Post 7802621)

oh boys - you think I am daft!! Have been to Wreck - but in the winter!!

Originally Posted by R I C H (Post 7802658)

That was brave - did you have to grease up to prevent the wind chafing?

Originally Posted by The4BellsLondon (Post 7801971)

My OH has been taken off his bike in London at a red light by a woman behind him who intend to go thru - he was on the floor and she was shouting at him for stopping!!

Originally Posted by sharkus (Post 7801922)

... when you've got the bikers slapping your car because they think you are too close when you're not..

Originally Posted by sharkus (Post 7801991)

For any cyclists who think they are above the laws, or for us motorists who want to point out to this "superior" types that they aren't better than us, feel free to quote/print/ram down their sanctimonious throats, the following:

Obviously only applies to Ontario, but I would assume other provinces would have the same laws:

(taken from here: http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pub...ction5.0.shtml)

Cycling and The Law


A bicycle is a vehicle under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act (HTA). This means that, as a bicyclist, you have the same rights and responsibilities to obey all traffic laws as other road users. Cyclists charged for disobeying traffic laws will be subject to a minimum set fine and a Victim Surcharge fine of $20.00 for most offences (please note set fines below are subject to change).

The following are key sections of the HTA concerning cyclists.

HTA 144/136 - Traffic signals and signs
stop for red lights and stop signs and comply with all other signs. Set fine: $85.00

HTA 153 - One-ways streets
ride in the designated direction on one-way streets. Set fine: $85.00

HTA 147 - Slow moving traffic travel on right side
any vehicle moving slower than the normal traffic speed should drive in the right-hand lane, or as close as practicable to the right edge of the road except when preparing to turn left or when passing another vehicle. For cyclists, you must ride far enough out from the curb to maintain a straight line, clear of sewer grates, debris, potholes, and parked car doors. You may occupy any part of a lane when your safety warrants it. Never compromise your safety for the convenience of a motorist behind you. Set fine: $85.00

HTA 142 - Signalling a turn
before turning, look behind you and signal your turn. Cyclists can use their right arm to signal a right turn. Set fine: $85.00

HTA 140(1) 144(29) - Crosswalks
yield or stop for pedestrians at crosswalks. Set fine: $85.00

HTA 140(6)/144(29) - No riding in crosswalks
walk your bike when crossing at a crosswalk. Set fine: $85.00

HTA 166 - Streetcars
stop two metres behind streetcar doors and wait until passengers have boarded or departed and reached the curb. Set fine: $85.00

HTA 175 (12) - Stopped school buses
stop for stopped school buses when the upper alternating red lights are flashing and the stop arm is out. Set fine: $400.00

HTA 62(17) - Lights
a bike must have a white front light and a red rear light or reflector if you ride between 1/2 hour before sunset and 1/2 hour after sunrise and white reflective tape on the front forks and red reflective tape on rear forks. Set fine: $20.00

HTA 75 (5) - Bell
a bike must have a bell or horn in good working order. Set fine: $85.00

HTA 64(3) - Brakes
a bike must have at least one brake system on the rear wheel. When you put on the brakes, you should be able to skid on dry, level pavement. Set fine: $85.00

HTA 218 - Identification
Cyclists must stop and identify themselves when required to stop by police for breaking traffic laws. The police officer will ask you for your correct name and address. Set fine: $85.00

HTA Reg. 630 - Expressways
Bicycles are prohibited on expressway / freeway highways such as the 400 series, the QEW, Ottawa Queensway and on roads where "No Bicycle" signs are posted. Set fine: $85.00

HTA 178(2) - Passengers
Passengers are not allowed on a bicycle designed for one person. Set fine: $85.00

HTA 178(1) - Attaching to a vehicle
You are not permitted to attach yourself to the outside of another vehicle or streetcar for the purpose of "hitching a ride." Set fine: $85.00

HTA 104 - Helmets
Every cyclist under the age of eighteen must wear an approved bicycle helmet. Parents or guardians shall not knowingly permit cyclists under sixteen to ride without a helmet. Set fine: $60.00

HTA 179 - Dismounted bicyclist
Cyclists are required to ride on the right-hand side of the road. If you are walking your bike on a highway where there are no sidewalks, you are considered a pedestrian and you should walk on the left-hand side of the road facing traffic. If it is not safe for you to cross the road to face traffic, you may walk your bike on the right-hand side of the road. Set fine: $35.00.
The following are not considered bicycles and are subject to different rules for use:

Limited-speed motorcycles
Motor-assisted bicycles (mopeds)
Low-speed vehicles
Electric and motorized scooters (go-peds)
Pocket bikes
Segway Human/Personal Transporters

Originally Posted by ESarge (Post 7804619)

...
Ever since then, whenever I was coming up to stop at lights I would move to the point in the lane right in front of the driver and come to a stop, right in front of the driver. I would start off, right in front of the driver, and then, once I'm going, pull off to the side. That way, if they would happen to run me over then claiming they couldn't see me would be justification for me (or my family...) to argue to the judge that they did not have sufficient vision to drive.

Originally Posted by Alan2005 (Post 7804736)

I do that (well back when I cycled to work). Don't see anything wrong with cyclists taking up their rightful space in the road.

Originally Posted by Kiwilass (Post 7804757)

Personally, I think peeps are just pissed about the Burrard St bridge and this is the backlash.

Originally Posted by jerry brewer (Post 7804794)

Well this morning nearly saw two cyclist wiped out, because they choose to cycle on the road and not on the parrallel, empty cycle path, (surely their rightful space ?)

Originally Posted by jerry brewer (Post 7804794)

If the expensive cycle paths are built, my opinion they should be used, for everyones safety.

Originally Posted by jerry brewer (Post 7804794)

Both my kids have had close shaves whilst walking due to cyclists, either ignoring red lights or crossings.

Originally Posted by jerry brewer (Post 7804794)

A reg plate would have let the kids be able to report them.

Originally Posted by jerry brewer (Post 7804797)

Hi
personally I don't think so, it just puts the chance to air the topic of cyclists not riding safely.
cheers
Jerry