Good idea or tax grab? Calgarians split on speeding ticket increases for cyclists on pathways

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – The City of Calgary is increasing the fine for those with wheels who speed on Calgary pathways.

In the spring the fine for speeding on city pathways went from $50 to $400.

Bylaw Sgt. Fausto Ricioppo said that there has been an increase in complaints on city pathways about feeling unsafe.

“We want to make sure that we have cyclists obeying the rules, and following the rules on the pathway system,” Ricioppo said.

The city will be enforcing these laws with officers in plain clothes on the pathway system using lazar radar, similar to what Calgary Police use to tag speeders.

“Those who are caught speeding could be given a verbal warning or a written warn, and if it is severe is a public safety issue then it could lead to a summons.”

Ricioppo does acknowledge that most cyclists don’t have a speed-o-meter there are ways that those on the pathways can keep their speeds in check.

“If you notice that you are speeding threw people, or are going faster then the others on the pathway, then you probably are going faster then you should be,” Ricioppo said.

Tickets for speeding on city pathways start at $150 and go up to $400.

Calgarians that 660 NEWS talked to around Eau Claire were split when it came to whether they thought it was a good or bad move by the city.

One cyclist said “I think its another tax grab,” and would like the city to do more research to be done into the issue.

While two other woman believe that the fine increase is a good move when it comes to safety, but sees the bigger issue is with electric bikes.

“While the manpower bikes do catch speeding, those electric bikes can go ten times faster because it takes half the manpower.”

Even though there was no consensus on whether or not the increase was needed, everyone that spoke to 660 NEWS said they felt $400 was excessive.

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