To the editor,
Re: Nanaimo’s hills aren’t cycle-friendly, Letters, March 24.
I’m an authentic cyclist who rides all the big hills in Nanaimo rain or shine year-round. I think the letter writer is wrong to tell the public that Nanaimo hills aren’t cycle-friendly and to suggest the city has squeezed bike lanes in.
Unfriendly motorists pressure pedestrians to jog across intersections during the ‘walk’ signal. They cut the white line while speeding down Departure Bay Road, ignoring both speed and ‘share the road’ signs. Perhaps drivers should try walking, cycling and driving a semi-truck before sharing their public opinion about how many cyclists use bike lanes. A bike consumes less space than a compact car, so those concerned about how much road must be shared should maybe reduce the size of their vehicles.
Today some vehicles are designed with parking assist, lane detection, lane departure, etc., because the art of driving is fading and the frequency of vehicle collisions is increasing. Bike lanes and sidewalks are for safety and I think cyclists and pedestrians deserve a safer commute.
Russell Glennie, Nanaimo
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Bike lanes can help to encourage more cycling
To the editor,
I want to thank city council for having the foresight to plan more bike lanes in Nanaimo. The lack of consistent infrastructure and support for bicycles is one of the main reasons many people don’t ride their bikes. They don’t feel safe driving among cars and alongside parked cars where they run the risk of ‘dooring’ (crashing into someone who opens a car door just as they are going by.)
As we all work together to reduce our greenhouse gases in Nanaimo, one of the main strategies is to reduce the number of car trips and increase the number of active transportation trips and bus trips. Thank you for making our transition to more active transportation easier.
Frances Deverell, Nanaimo
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