Speeding cyclists on Vancouver's seawall beware: The Vancouver Police Department is gunning for you.
Last week, members of VPD's Kitsilano/Fairview Community Policing Centre – armed with a radar gun – set up a speed check along the popular tourist promenade in False Creek, issuing warnings to cyclists breaking the 15 km/h speed limit.
The speed check comes after an American tourist was struck by a speeding bike on the seawall earlier this month. Charmaine Mitchell was knocked off the seawall and fell three metres onto the sharp rocks below, breaking her back and fracturing her knee.
VPD spokesperson Sgt. Randy Fincham said the "education campaign," was prompted by a number of complaints about cyclists speeding above the 15 km/h limit in the area. Even though the majority of the seawall is separated into pedestrian and cycling lanes, he said users should always treat the route as a shared roadway.
"Although there are cyclists who can certainly handle themselves above these speeds, you never know when someone – maybe a dog or a child – could step out at any time," he said.
While there are posted speed limit signs along the seawall, Fincham acknowledged it may be difficult for cyclists to accurately gauge how fast they are going.
"Not all bikes have a [speedometer]," he said. "But if you are exerting any extra force on the pedals, you'll be speeding."
Fincham said the radar checks were well received by residents in the False Creek neighbourhood and will likely be popping up elsewhere on the seawall this summer.
While no tickets were issued as part of the recent radar check campaign, the VPD does have the authority to issue speeding tickets for cyclists they catch riding recklessly fast.
Vancouver police are still investigating Mitchell's accident. Fincham said charges could be brought against the cyclist if the cyclist is found to be negligent.
