Rumble strips and reflectors adversely affect cyclist safety

Post date: Nov 04, 2011 7:53:46 PM

Nov 3 2011 RCC Media Release

Subject: Rumble strips and reflectors severely affect cyclist safety

The Responsible Cycling Coalition objects to plans to install rumble strips at the edge of rural roadways. The intent articulated in the City's Safer Roads Ottawa Program runs counter to the rejection of such measures by the old Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton following a study carried out in the 1990s.

Rumble strips (roughened road) and reflectors (raised spots) frequently make road shoulders and edges unusable to cyclists, effectively narrowing roads for them. The rumble-stripped section of Innes Road By-Pass is an example where cyclists are forced into closer proximity to high-speed traffic. Many roads in the Ottawa region are already too narrow for motorists to pass cyclists safely, and rumble strips and edge reflectors will make conditions worse.

The Responsible Cycling Coalition calls on the City to remove the initiative to implement rumble strips and reflectors from the plan.

CONTACT:

Avery Burdett 613 254-7080

Les Humphreys 613 256-2498

E-Mail: RCC.Ottawa@gmail.com

See League of American Bicyclists' letter June 2011 to the US Federal Highway Adminstration and its Rumble Strip Policy