The City of Parksville will install signs to remind cyclists to be courteous and ride slowly on the boardwalk.
Several council members said they have been contacted by residents concerned about pedestrian safety.
“I can assure you there are a number of bikes that are flying down there. I think before somebody gets hurt, or we run into some kind of trouble down there, it has to be looked at,” said Coun. Al Greir.
The city does not have a bylaw regulating bicycles on the boardwalk, according to Keeva Kehler, chief administrative officer. She said city staff could consult with RCMP about applicable provincial motor vehicle regulations.
Mayor Ed Mayne suggested the city could ban bicycles from the boardwalk since he is sceptical people will obey the signs.
Several councillors said they were in favour of the signs, but did not want to see bikes prohibited. Coun. Doug O’Brien noted a significant increase in the number of electric bicycles riding around in Parksville the past few years.
“They’re so silent and they’re so fast and you literally see people startle when the electric bike comes up behind them because they don’t know they’re there,” he said.
Kehler said city staff are very busy and have received over a dozen new projects in the past two months. She added she is concerned about the city posting signs without a bylaw regulating the behaviour.
Mayne said the signs are not the highest priority and staff can get to them when they have time.
O’Brien’s motion to install the signs was carried unanimously.
