Bike injuries down 40 per cent in Montreal, police say

Efforts to crack down on law-defying cyclists in Montreal helped reduce the number of serious bike accidents by 40 per cent last year, police say.

According to Montreal police, there were 40 per cent fewer serious bicycle accidents in 2007 on the island of Montreal, compared to the previous year, and police sayit's due to their tougher stance towards cyclists.

They arestopping more cyclists, andissuing warnings and tickets to deter would-be riders who flout traffic lights and stops, said Daniel Touchette, traffic division commander.

"I think there is more awareness, and there [are] a lot more police officers enforcing the code rules," he said Wednesday. "I think the message is starting to get through and we will keep working that way."

Touchette said nearly half of reported accidents involving an injured cyclist happened because he or she was breaking a traffic rule. By enforcing road laws, police hope to "reduce the number of accidents," he said.

Drivers also need to respect people on bicycles. "They need to yield the right of way to cyclists," said police officer Natalie Valois.

Many cyclists say the city and police could do more to make roads safer for bicycles.

"I think the priority should be that they assign more special bike routes," said Simon Gemrich, a Montreal resident.

"I think it doesn't really help to talk to people riding their bikes on the sidewalks."

The city recently opened a four-kilometre bike path along de Maisonneuve Street. Officials said the city is planning to build more bike paths.