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PIAGE 2, WEDNESDAY, DECEMl3ER 12, 1984, WHITBY FREE PRESS Town delays passage of bike bylaw Th1e Town of Wfitby will flot be ordering bicycles off the sillewalks until after the new year, if then. At last week's meeting of council's operations committee, two local residents protested the proposed bylaw that could see al bicycles and similiar vehicles (except wheelchairs) wîth a wbeel diameter greater than 24 cms. off the sidewalk and onto the road. Allan Leighton of Fernway Cres. told the committee that -the solution tbey were proposing was no0 better than the problem. Wbile he admitted that sometimes bicyclists pose a danger to pedestrians, the an- swer isn't getting bikes off the sidewalk. "I do feel that the alternative is no bet- ter,",Leighton said ad- ding that tbrough Toronto many path- ways, especially those running through parks, are designed for use primarily by bicyclists. But bis objections to the bylaw stem from bis concern for the safety of bicyclists - especially cbildren. "'As a parent, I question this bylaw," Leighton told the com- mittee, "A child eight or nine years old is flot old enougb to ride a bicycle on a road. It's not a safe mode of transpor- tation." For'most children, he noted, bicycles are their only mode of transport aside from walking. A cydlist for 25 years, Leighton said that he woulctn't ride his bike on Dundas St. orBrock St. because of the traffic conditions. "I wouldn't consider riding on Hwy. 2, " he said, "In general over 50 per cent 0f the bicyclists use the sidewalk - especially along Hwy. 2."t He was also sligbtly critical of the town for not meeting the needs of the biking public. He told committee that there's no such thing as a bicycle -rack in the downtown core. "Wbere do you put, your bicycle wben you go downtown to shop?"1 Leighton also suggested that the town investigate the possibility 0f licensing bicycles In the same manner as cars. This bas worked well in otber communities. "If we were licenced, we would be allowed to ride on the sidewalk un- til we do something wrong,"11be saîd, Jacqueline Bramma, of Owen 0-t., a member of another local bicycling family. said that pedestrians were seldom a problem to bicyclists, because there aren't that many of them. "'We find littie pedestrian traffic where we cycled," she told tbe committee. 'Ne come across few pedestrians ...lot many people seem to walk. " She also noted that there weren't "enor- mous" numnbers 0f cyclists eitber. "I believe cyclists and pedestrians can safely use sidewalks and pathways, " sbe added. Bramnma also offered the committee three suggestions: leave tblngs as they are;. bring in a bylaw requlring bicycles' to yield to pedestrians; or, ban bikes in certain areas of town where pedestrian traffic is heavier, sucb as- the downtown core. She also pointed out that tbe majority of cyclists are under 16 and, therefore, cannot be charged with breaking a municipal bylaw. However, bikes are vehicles under the Highway Traffic Act and are subjeet to its provisions." The committee also heard from Shiela Cor- mack of Dundas St. W., wbose complaint to tbe town a few weeks prom- pted tbe proposaI of tbe bylaw. Wbat she wants is for cyclists to sbow a littie courtesy for pedestrians - especially senior citizens. Cormack told the committee tbat sbe bas had a couple of brusbes witb a bike and didn't find it a pleasant experience. "You've got to be pretty quick on your feet," Cormack said. 11 bad to watcb where I was walking."1 She wants people to get off their bikes and walk around pedestrians. "The best thing, I think, ita courtesy,"I Cormack told the committee, " If the bicycllsts. walked their bikes near pedestrians there'd be no problems."1 Cormack also com- plained that many people seem to leave their bikes just lying out - especiaHly on the CONT'D ON PG. 3, Miïracle ShielId opens Mayor Bob Attersley is seen here presenting a Town of Whitby key chain to Bob Wagner, president of Miracle Sbield of Canada to mark the opening of their Whitby store at 153 Brock St. N. Miracle Shield provides a car painit protection service which.is guaranteed to prevent the need to ever wax the car again. Wager says that bis is the only shop of its type in Canada and plans to open nine more stores4 rom Bowmanville to Mississauga over thé next five years. He plans to open a Scarborough location wfthrn thé next six months. Miracle Shield also provides fabric protection and rustproofing services. Free Press Staff Photo Ideal for stamps, coins, model building, sewing and other detailed work. from LwrLevel 728-0922 . a