53 Division event wrestles with bikes on sidewalk

A Toronto Police Service community safety meeting at North Toronto Collegiate Institute touched on subjects ranging from online dating to bicycles on the sidewalk. The meeting, organized by officers from 53 Division, was called Lane Changes. Some officers conceded to members of the mostly-seniors audience that frequently cyclists seem to ride with a disregard for everyone’s safety on both the road and the sidewalk.  There was a sense of entitlement. Police insisted however that responsible cycling clubs support safe riding habits. The subject opened a split among those present over the apparently unsolvable issue of just where it is safe to ride a bike. One woman cyclist said she would be dead if she did not ride on the sidewalk, something that is not legal in Toronto. Members of the audience challenged her, saying bicycles on the sidewalk were a threat to the lives of both young and old. She could not know where the pedestrians were going to walk, especially when approaching from behind. It was agreed there were a number of complaints about this matter from people on Bayview Ave. Staff Sergeant Mathew Moyer spoke on personal safety subjects. An unexpected line of discussion dealt with staying safe when one dates online. He suggested a woman might like to arrange to meet a blind date at a location other than her home. “Make people earn your trust,” he said. Staff Sgt Moyer also advised both men and women to be careful getting off the subway later in the evening. Her mentioned what he called the buddy system — staying in proximity to another pedestrian as far possible, even if you don’t know him. The division’s commander, Superintendent Scott Gilbert, spoke about car theft and break-ins. He reviewed the stolen car arrests of August and noted that the yellow Porsche stolen here (and known as Yellowbird to police) was found in Romania. Later he was asked whether there are any leads in the theft of six Toyota Highlanders from Leaside driveways in 2009. He did not know of the case but said it is possible those responsible are in custody for other crimes. Inspector Suzanne Walsh, second in command at 53 Division headquarters on Eglinton Ave. W. said that some troublesome intersections with traffic lights in the division were Overlea Blvd and Thorncliffe Park Drive (they actually meet twice) and Yonge St and Eglinton Ave. The meeting was attended by about 125 people.