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The committee also voted in favour of asking staff to report back with ways to better enforce parking regulations in bike lanes, a key element in ensuring people feel comfortable using active transportation, Lewis said.

“It’s a safety issue for cyclists, and if we’re talking about enhancing cycling infrastructure, one of the very first things we need to do is enforce the rules around the cycling infrastructure we have and making it as safe as possible,” he said.

“I think we clearly need to make some changes because those bike lanes are there for cyclists, not to be parking spots.”

Ben Cowie, owner of London Bicycle Café and a cycling advocate, says it isn’t uncommon to see all types of vehicles parked in bike lanes, despite the dangerous condition the practice creates.

“I was riding my bike just the other day and there was a Canada Post van parked in the bike lane and I had to swerve into traffic, and, you know, people aren’t expecting me to move because there’s a bike lane there,” he said.

“It creates a dangerous situation for everyone involved.”

Cowie says he’s skeptical about how effective the councillors’ efforts can be if they aren’t coupled with improved cycling infrastructure.

“People will park wherever they think they can get away with it,” he said. “And painted bike lanes aren’t cycling infrastructure.

“Protected, segregated bike lanes do not allow people to park there in the first place, which is what we are trying to avoid, whereas a strip of paint doesn’t make a difference.”

London has some protected bike lanes like the ones Cowie describes, for example, on Colborne Street downtown. But the cheaper alternative — painting a curbside strip of road a different colour — is much more common.

The committee’s recommendations will be debated by council at its next meeting on Tuesday.

jjuha@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/JuhaatLFPress