SooToday received the following letter about keeping bicycles safe when left in public spaces.
I read your recent story about the boy whose bike was stolen while he went to see a movie. While it had a happy ending, it highlights an ongoing issue: bicycles need safe, secure, and accessible places for everyone—especially those of us who rely on bikes for mobility.
I personally never leave my bike outside. I cannot drive, walk long distances, or carry heavy items, so my bicycle is essential for daily life. Municipalities, businesses, and public spaces need to do more to accommodate people who rely on bikes as mobility aids. This could include allowing bike parking inside buildings, installing secure covered racks, or making bike-friendly policies part of accessibility planning.
In Ontario, a bicycle can legally be considered a mobility aid under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). This means that someone using a bike as a mobility aid has the same rights and accommodations as a person using a wheelchair or a scooter. Despite this, I face resistance regularly because staff and the public are unaware of the law. Access is often denied, I’m asked unnecessary questions, or I’m told my bike isn’t allowed inside stores or public buildings—treatment that a wheelchair or scooter user would never face.
Bicycles are more than recreational vehicles for many people. For some, they are the primary means to get to work, medical appointments, or complete daily errands. Like wheelchairs or scooters, they provide independence, mobility, and dignity. Denying access to someone using a bicycle as a mobility aid is not just inconvenient—it’s discriminatory.
Stories like the boy’s stolen bike demonstrate the importance of safe bike infrastructure. They also remind us that the public and private sectors must recognize bicycles as legitimate mobility aids and provide the accommodations required by law, such as using the sidewalk or bringing it in a store, mall or public building. Everyone benefits when municipalities and businesses take accessibility seriously. Simple measures—like indoor bike parking, secure racks, or staff training—can make a significant difference.
I hope this story inspires readers to think about safe, accessible cycling for everyone. Raising awareness about bikes as mobility aids ensures that individuals who depend on them can move through their communities safely and confidently, without fear of harassment or being denied access.
Andrew Way
Sudbury