Misleading RCMP tweet frustrates cycling advocate

A misleading tweet from the B.C. RCMP Traffic Services account has a cycling advocateasking for a public clarification.

The tweet, which has been removed, included incorrect information about laws regarding cyclists in crosswalks.

Thetweet read"Did you know you must always walkyour bike in a crosswalk?" It alsowarned cyclists of a $109 fine for failing to do so.

The tweet had two major flaws, saidEdward Pullman, president of the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition.

"One is under the Motor Vehicle Act, municipalities are allowed to designate crosswalks for cyclists to bike through," he said.

"Two is the irony that it showed an image of a particular crosswalk in Maple Ridge, featuring elephants' feet."

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Elephants' feet are squares painted outside of the crosswalk thatare designed to indicate to cyclists that they may ride through.

While relatively new, Pullman saidit's important that cyclists, driversand police understand how these crosswalks work.

"Obviously this tweet certainly demonstrates that we have a long way to go in terms of ...education ...when law enforcement, [which is] expected to know and enforce the laws, don't know [their]own laws."

B.C.RCMPsaid the tweetwas removed after the force was alerted to the inaccuracy, and it will be replaced with a corrected version once it's ready.