Cyclists protest in High Park as police deny enforcement blitz
Posted August 11, 2022 11:55 am.
Last Updated August 11, 2022 11:44 pm.
Toronto police say they are not engaged in an enforcement blitz regarding cyclists in High Park, releasing figures that show less than 2 per cent of all tickets issued in the past 19 months were to cyclists.
“Our focus has largely been on public safety, education and cautions to both cyclists and motorists,” police said in a statement released Thursday, noting that their priority is traffic safety which includes the safety of cyclists.
“That said, we take community complaints seriously, and where officers see cycling behaviour that risks public safety, they have the discretion to lay charges and have done so, when necessary.”
A group of cyclists gathered in High Park on Thursday evening to protest what many call unfair treatment from Toronto police.
Cyclists have voiced concerns that they are being targeted by park patrols, pointing out that motorists are causing more harm and injuring people “in staggering numbers” every day on public roads, bike lanes and intersections.
— James McLeod (@jamespmcleod) August 11, 2022
Several cyclists have come forward in recent weeks alleging misconduct and excessive enforcement in the park. One man says he was fined over $100 for allegedly rolling at a stop sign. At the same time, another cyclist struck by a police officer while riding through High Park claimed he saw the same officer handing out traffic tickets to riders earlier in the day.
“Despite uncontradicted data that motorists on the streets of Toronto cause infinitely more and disproportionate harm to people walking, people riding bikes and other Vulnerable Road Users, Toronto Police with the backing of Mayor [John] Tory have descended on High Park, ticketing, harassing, and targeting people on bikes,” said biking advocate and lawyer, David Shellnutt, who goes by The Biking Lawyer on Twitter.
Police say their presence in High Park is a “very small part” of the traffic enforcement that occurs across the city each day.
They point out that since the beginning of 2021 and up until this past week, they have issued 16 traffic tickets to cyclists and just over 1,200 traffic tickets to motorists in and around High Park.
Cyclists have been ticketed for failing to stop at stop signs and red lights, unsafe movement on lane or shoulder, and failing to wear a helmet on a motor-assisted vehicle, according to police.
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“Our presence in High Park, like in any other city park, is intended to enhance the safety of everyone using these shared spaces, including motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.”
Mayor Tory, who has previously defended the actions of police regarding the safe enjoyment of the park for cyclists and pedestrians, met with members of Cycle Toronto, the city’s largest cycling advocacy organization, to address their concerns.
The mayor says he’s “open to innovative solutions,” such as a car-free pilot project that will make the park safe for everyone who wants to use it.
“I want everyone to be safe in High Park and everywhere else in the city. That includes pedestrians, seniors, families, cyclists, TTC riders, motorists — everybody,” Tory added.
Shellnutt says he recognizes the community concerns and, since 2021, notes that members of the cycling community in High Park have asked the city for help.
“Instead, we are met with police harassment and violence,” Shellnutt said. “People now avoid using our park because of fear of police and assault, and that is an injustice which must be immediately corrected.”
