In 2009, Yorkton City Council approved the Cycling Network Plan, which is an initiative of the Yorkton Active Transportation Collaborative. Included in the Cycling Network is the establishment of on street bikeways for Darlington Street and Gladstone Avenue. These bikeways were approved as part of the 2010 Capital Budget and are being implemented this summer. Below is a brief description of how the two roads will be affected along with basic rules of the road that apply to both motorists and cyclists.
Darlington StreetThe Darlington Street bikeway extends from Husky Road in the east to Gladstone Avenue on the west. In all instances parking lanes are not affected and remain unchanged. Husky Road to Mayhew Avenue will remain unchanged, however shared use symbols will be painted in the driving lanes. Rules of the road state that motorists must share the road with cyclists, therefore the only change is the addition of the shared use symbols. Effective July 25th, and only between Mayhew Avenue and Sixth Avenue, one driving lane will be removed from Darlington Street in both directions. This portion of Darlington Street will maintain one driving lane with the addition of turning lanes and the inclusion of one designated bike lane. The portion of Darlington Street from Sixth Avenue to Myrtle Avenue will maintain one driving lane and convert one driving lane to a shared use (motorists & cyclists) lane. The portion of Darlington from Myrtle to Gladstone will remain unchanged, however shared use symbols will be painted in the driving lanes. Rules of the road state that motorists must share the road with cyclists, therefore the only change is the addition of the shared use symbols. You may also notice bike symbols painted on the street as well as the installation of various signs along the side of the road.
Gladstone AvenueThe Gladstone Avenue bikeway extends from Bradbrooke Drive in the south to York Road in the north. In all instances parking lanes are not affected and remain unchanged. Bradbrooke Drive to Broadway Street will maintain both of the existing driving lanes and add one designated bike lane. Effective August 9th, and only between Broadway Street and Smith Street, one driving lane will be removed from Gladstone Avenue in both directions. Therefore, this portion of Gladstone Avenue will have one driving lane and one designated bike lane. The northbound portion of Gladstone between Smith Street and Dunlop Street will maintain both of the existing driving lanes with the addition of a designated bike lane. The northbound portion of Gladstone from Dunlop to York Road will maintain one standard driving lane and convert one driving lane to a shared use (motorists & cyclists) lane. The Southbound lane from York Road to Smith Street will maintain one standard driving lane and convert one driving lane to a shared use (motorists and cyclists) lane. You may also notice bike symbols painted on the street indicating the shared use and designated lanes as well as the installation of various signs along the side of the road.Rules of the Road: (Info obtained from the SGI Saskatchewan Driver's handbook)Standard rules of the road still apply regardless of whether a lane is a standard driving lane, a shared use lane or a designated bike lane. More and more people are using bicycles for transportation, not only for recreational purposes, but increasingly for getting to and from work. Therefore, drivers of motor vehicles must learn to share the road with bicycles. Bicycles are vehicles. Cyclists are not permitted to use the sidewalk (except when teaching young children). Therefore, motorists must realize that cyclists are required to use traffic lanes. Cyclists have a right to use a traffic lane, but they must obey all traffic rules. Cyclists in Yorkton are required to wear an approved helmet by City Bylaw # 10/2000. The rules of the road apply, specifically related to solid and dashed lines as well as yielding to traffic, regardless of whether you are a cyclist or a motorist. Vehicles are permitted to cross over a dashed line on any roadway therefore any dashed line on a designated bike lane can be crossed through as well. Dashed lines on designated bike lanes are found at intersections to allow vehicles to cross through to make right turns. When making a right turn, motorists must yield to cyclists as if they were another motorist. Standard rules of the road indicate that vehicles are not permitted to cross over solid lines. This is also true with designated bike lanes since designated bike lanes are separated from standard driving lanes by a solid line. Driving a motorized vehicle in a designated bike lane is not permitted except for the purpose of making a right turn, accessing a parking space or entering a lane or driveway.
More information is available on the City's website at www.yorkton.ca/dept/leisure/activetrans.asp. Information on sharing the road for both motorists and cyclists can be obtained from the Saskatchewan Government Insurance website at www.sgi.sk.ca
