Waterloo's new bike lanes frustrate cyclist after 6-year-old's brush with truck
A man says motorists are still invading lanes meant for bikes because of confusion
A cyclist is frustrated by the "design flaw" of Waterloo's segregated lanes, which he said creates confusion for motorists to still use them even though they're designated only for bikes.
Scott Weldon was riding in Uptown Waterloo with his children when he saw a large white pick-up truck stopping in one of the cycling lanes in front of the Heuther Hotel.
He said his six-year-old daughter was riding in the lane when the truck pulled in it and "spooked" her as she looked up, making her edge more toward the right side.
"She turned back and looked at me and was like, 'daddy, it's not my fault, the guy just pulled in, he was just right there,'" said Weldon.
Weldon took photos of the incident and posted it on his twitter, also tagging the City of Waterloo.
"Dad, it wasn't my fault. The guy just came in". Parents, I will let you judge the design. Is there a way to reduce potential mixing of cars/cyclists? <a href="https://twitter.com/citywaterloo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@citywaterloo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DaveJaworsky?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DaveJaworsky</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RegionWaterloo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RegionWaterloo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Cycle_WR?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Cycle_WR</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TravelWiseWR?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TravelWiseWR</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/physicalbarrier?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#physicalbarrier</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/planters?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#planters</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/protected?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#protected</a> <a href="https://t.co/UBEbIF9Nr1">pic.twitter.com/UBEbIF9Nr1</a>
—@s_weldonWeldon said he saw a car try parallel park in the same lanes back in spring when he was out riding with his son, which he said shows their "design flaw."
"This poor kid is riding in a segregated bike lane and they have to still contend with giant vehicles," he said.
"I don't think the motorist intended to do harm but it's just the design is not correct and I don't understand why we're spending money on incorrect designs."
Weldon said he understands how motorists can confuse the bike lanes as parking spots and recommends the city putting in physical barriers to separate the lanes clearly.
"I don't know why the city hasn't done it," he said. "This should be their goal, separating cyclists from a car."
CBC requested an interview with the city of Waterloo on this matter, but the city did not respond to the request.
In Weldon's twitter thread, the city said it shared his tweet with the bylaw department and posted a link for him to contact the regional project manager for the Uptown streetscape improvement project.