Saskatoon driver 'shocked' after $150 ticket issued for bike rack
A Saskatoon man says he was "shocked" after receiving a ticket related to the bike rack on his SUV.
Craig De Gier told CTV News he's had a bike rack on the back of his vehicle for more than 20 years.
On Saturday he says was issued a $150 ticket for having an obstructed license plate due to the rack.
The ticket was issued during a traffic stop on Idywyld Drive.
“I was completely shocked,” said De Gier.
“I've been involved with the cycling industry for 24 years. I've been using rear-mounted carrying racks for bikes for that entire time.”
De Grier is passionate about cycling and runs children’s cycling programs and helps develop trails.
“I've never heard of any messaging sent out by a government or a police service that these are now being considered to be illegal or overly obstructive," De Grier said.
Mark Vanstone has been working as a lawyer for over 25 years and was flabbergasted by the ticket.
“I've never seen anything as ridiculous as this ticket,” he said. “I don't think that's the kind of obstruction that the provision is designed to address.”
“My question would be, how can a city that prides itself on promoting bike lanes, green space, green footprint ticket somebody for having the audacity to have a bike rack on the back of their vehicle?” Vanstone said.
De Gier said he's considering challenging the ticket.
Vanstone believes his chances are having it overturned are good.
“I would be surprised if a judge hearing this case wasn't sympathetic,” Vanstone said.
In a statement, a Saskatoon Police Service spokesperson said "education and awareness" are always the initial focus in situations such as this.
"That being said, obstructing a license plate is a traffic violation, and could lead to a ticket being issued by our officers," the spokesperson said.
With the Victoria Day long weekend ahead, De Gier said cyclists deserve clarity about what's allowed.
“People are going to be getting all that gear back out and taking it to provincial parks to national parks,” De Gier said.
“I think that people deserve to know what they are and aren't allowed to use.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre joins soldier protesting COVID-19 mandates in march through Ottawa ahead of Canada Day
Canadian Forces veteran James Topp was joined by Conservative Party leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre on his march through Ottawa today, as part of the final leg of his cross-country march to protest COVID-19 vaccine requirements.

Omicron cousin BA.5 predicted to cause nearly 70 per cent of COVID-19 cases by Canada Day
Researchers examining the threat of emerging COVID-19 strains predict Omicron BA.5 will account for nearly 70 per cent of cases in much of the country by Canada Day.
Supreme Court says expanded rape shield laws are constitutional
The Supreme Court of Canada says the expanded rules to further prevent a sexual assault complainant's past from being used against them in a trial are 'constitutional in their entirety.'
Stocks are down, but here's why experts say you shouldn't panic
As stocks continue to slump, it can be easy to let your emotions take over if you've got money invested in the market. But experts agree that there's no need to panic if you're invested in the right type of portfolio with the right level of risk.
Health Canada says baby formula shipments coming, but supply to remain limited during summer
More than a month after Canada reported a shortage of baby formula for allergic infants, Health Canada says supplies will continue to be limited during the summer even with new shipments on the horizon.
Importing dogs from more than 100 countries to be banned in Canada
Animal rescue groups are criticizing a new policy by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency that will ban the import of dogs from more than 100 countries.
WATCH | Physician expects new COVID-19 variants every few months: 'Whole world is a petri dish'
An emergency room physician in Toronto is warning that COVID-19 variants will continue to 'mutate endlessly' as the Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 are poised to become the dominant strains of the virus.
Quebec group goes to court over Governor General's lack of French
A group of Quebecers is going to court to argue that Mary Simon's appointment as governor general should be invalidated because she isn't fluent in French.
My landlord is increasing my rent – what should I do?
With increasing rent prices likely to be the reality for many Canadian tenants, some may be wondering how to navigate rising costs, or whether any course of action can be taken, if any. Legal experts across the country share their advice on how to handle a rent hike.