Bike lanes, sidewalks and stop signs: Regina cycling tips

The city of Regina is hosting its Commuter Challenge so more people are planning to walk, bus or bike to work but sometimes cyclists and drivers run into problems when it comes to sharing the road.

Sara Maria Daubisse from Bike Regina cycles 25 minutes each way to work every day. She spoke to CBC Radio's The Morning Edition about what people should keep in mind if they're on the road whether it's on four wheels or two.

Bikes are vehicles

"People don't realize that cyclists should act the same like any other traffic vehicle" said Daubisse. "Not only is it the law but it's also best for safety."

According to Daubisse, for bicyclists that means stopping at stop signs. For cars, that means not yielding to bikes waiting at those stop signs, even if you are trying to be nice to cyclists.

"I understand that it's from a good place and people are trying to be courteous, but it does actually put cyclists in danger," Daubisse said.

"Really, treat a cyclist like you would any other vehicle. When someone else has a stop sign, you're not going to be stopping for them so don't do it for a bike either."

In some cases, sidewalk biking is okay

Normally cyclists should not ride on the sidewalk but there are a few, isolated areas in Regina where it is permitted. Daubisse gives the example of the Broad Street underpass near Saskatchewan drive.

You can also ride on the sidewalk if your bike has wheels with a diameter of less than 50 centimetres (20 inches). Those types of bikes are usually kids' bikes, collapsible bikes and BMX bikes. 

How bike lanes work

When bikes lanes were first painted onto Regina streets, there was quite a bit of confusion.

Daubisse says the lanes are only for bikes, but at street corners you will see dotted lines where vehicles can drive into them in order to make a turn.

Daubisse says drivers need to remember to shoulder check because cyclists have the right of way. She also says cyclists should be travelling in the direction of the traffic so don't bike south on a one-way street where the traffic travels north.

"I know some cyclists will go the wrong way but you are putting other cyclists in danger," Daubisse said.

Emergency vehicles are also allowed in bike lanes.

Room to move

Daubisse says in Regina, there's no law that says you have to ride to the right of the road.  You can ride in the middle of the lane and Daubisse advises sometimes that's much safer.

She says if you hug too close to the side of the road, often vehicles won't give you much space as they pass.

For congested roads such as Albert Street, Daubisse says she likes to take parallel streets like Rae Street or Elphinstone Street.