“Obviously the polite signage wasn’t working,” said Coun. David Chernushenko, who asked staff to rethink their strategy after several cyclists complained they were getting harassed. “No one likes to be told to relax, but that’s essentially the message. We’re all stuck here crossing this bridge, so let’s be safe about it.”
The bridge connecting Smyth Road and Main Street over the Rideau River has been severely narrowed by the ongoing Main Street construction work, and all vehicles are supposed to go single file on the crossing.
But when cyclists take the lane, many drivers are apparently still trying to pass, or they honk and harass the cyclists until they move over, putting themselves in danger, Chernushenko said.