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Last night in High Park #TorontoPolice were out radar gunning cyclists. They did this armed & adorned with thin blue line patches. A day before the Chief is set to issue an apology for disproportionate use of force and strip searches against Black Torontonians, anti-Black racism. pic.twitter.com/FUZWyByyRQ
— The Biking Lawyer (Dave Shellnutt) (@TheBikingLawyer) June 15, 2022
A Toronto-based personal injury lawyer and cycling advocate has criticised what he says is a “targeted campaign” by police officers to catch speeding cyclists in the city’s parks.
Police were spotted earlier this week using radar guns in the Canadian city’s High Park, a popular haunt for cyclists who ride through it to avoid the busy – and often dangerous – bike lanes in the area.
David Shellnut is one of a number of Toronto cyclists critical of the campaign, in place since at least the summer of 2020, which the lawyer argues is a waste of resources, citing the police’s own data on injuries caused by cyclists compared to drivers to support his case.
1 of nearly 17,000 Killed or Seriously Injured (KSI) collisions since 2006 per Toronto police database have been in High Park. None in main loop so popular with people on bikes. This effort is at best a distraction to making our streets safer for all road users. h/t: @dereklind https://t.co/lv3I1iDunB pic.twitter.com/MF07y3OK2m
— MWCC (@midweekcycling) June 16, 2022
“A friend of mine [was] going through the park on his way to work and [was given] a $120 ticket,” Shellnut told blogTO.
“The next week, he was biking in the bike lane adjacent to the park — he likes the park to keep safe — so he’s like, ‘I guess I’ll just go on the bike lane next to it,’ and gets hit by a right-turning driver who fails to yield the right of way and smashes his collarbone.
“The driver gets less of a ticket than my client did for speeding on his 70s Raleigh in High Park.”
Shellnut continued: “People are getting killed on the street next to [the park]. It does not make a lick of sense what they’re trying to do.
“If your guys every year have to ask for another $25 million and resources are tight, what are they doing spending money on things that aren’t actually a problem? There are no stats to back up what they’re doing.”
It’s interesting how it’s always about “the best use of limited policing resources” and somehow policing cyclists was high on that list?
— Brian 🇺🇦 (@Bravado_5) June 15, 2022
The lawyer also told the website that cyclists, especially those from a minority background, were made to feel “sort of uncomfortable, terrorised” by the constant police presence – and the use of a gun-like object – in the park. Last week, Toronto’s Chief of Police issued an apology after a recent study found that racial profiling and discrimination is a systemic issue within the police force.
Shellnut acknowledged that pedestrians can “get a little unnerved when a cyclist blows by in the park. I’m sure that happens, and I’m not discounting anybody’s feelings or experiences, but [seeking] solutions to those problems”, one of which is a possible dedicated morning slot for cyclists in the park to ride to work quickly and safely.
“Just because we have a billion-dollar hammer doesn’t mean every problem is a nail,” he said.
I’m hearing the police at out at High Park again. Sorry to ruin your day. Careful riders.
— The Biking Lawyer (Dave Shellnutt) (@TheBikingLawyer) June 21, 2022
A Toronto Police spokesperson defended the anti-speeding campaign in the park, claiming that it is being carried out “in response to concerns and to help keep the community safe.”
“Members have been working with City by-law officers by stopping vehicles and cyclists witnessed speeding or committing offences such as failing to stop at stop signs. Police officers and by-law officers educate the driver or rider on their behaviour.
“These members situate themselves at stop signs at various locations in the park. This has served as an educational piece for cyclists being advised of the HTA infractions they could face as well as the inherent dangers of going too fast. Toronto Police Auxiliary Officers have also been detailed to patrol the park as well.
“This has been welcomed by the local community as well those visiting the park.”
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