Editor:
The musician Meatloaf believes that “two out of three ain’t bad.” I disagree.
Be Kind, Be Calm, Be Safe asks Dr. Bonnie Henry. And when I go on my daily walk through the Semiahmoo Trail, there are times when I have trouble being all three.
On the rare day when there are only pedestrians using the trail, I feel calm, safe and my tendency is to smile at other walkers and be kind. This feeling of peace is shattered by cyclists who seem to think that speed is of the essence to get to where they need to be, that there is a definite urgency. Some possible scenarios – Is your mate having a baby? If so, why aren’t you at the hospital holding her hand while she swears at you between contractions? Have you won big in the lotto and are riding to pick up your winnings? If so, why haven’t you hired a limo – you can now afford it! You have to go to the bathroom? If so, there are solutions that you can “Depend” on! to get to where they need to be, that there is a definite urgency.
Some possible scenarios – Is your mate having a baby? If so, why aren’t you at the hospital holding her hand while she swears at you between contractions? Have you won big in the lotto and are riding to pick up your winnings? If so, why haven’t you hired a limo – you can now afford it! You have to go to the bathroom? If so, there are solutions that you can “Depend” on!
On more than one occasion, I have been forced to jump out of the way when on-coming cyclists zoom around a blind corner and seem surprised to see someone on the trail. I have had cyclists come up behind me with no warning, no “excuse me,” no “thank you,” they just keep on peddlin’!
Also scary is when I don’t realize there is more than one cyclist and when I move ba
And let’s talk about not cycling single file – it’s great that families want to cycle together, but do we need Mom and Dad riding side-by-side, taking up the entire width of the trail and the two kids behind them doing the same thing? To be fair, I have seen this on only a few occasions, but it should be single file all the time.
And let’s talk about not cycling single file – it’s great that families want to cycle together, but do we need Mom and Dad riding side-by-side, taking up the entire width of the trail and the two kids behind them doing the same thing? To be fair, I have seen this on only a few occasions, but it should be single file all the time.
And let’s talk about not cycling single file – it’s great that families want to cycle together, but do we need Mom and Dad riding side-by-side, taking up the entire width of the trail and the two kids behind them doing the same thing? To be fair, I have seen this on only a few occasions, but it should be single file all the time.
This trail is beautiful and cool on the hot days and I see little kids so full of energy and joy running down the paths; I see young moms out with a baby in a carriage, along with a toddler on a tricycle as well as the family dog; I see seniors of all physical abilities – some moving slowly and others jogging with great energy ; I see dogs of all sizes, some on a leash and some not – don’t get me started on this one!
My point is that the trail is for everyone and I fear that one of these days someone is going to get hurt. There is potential for a child to be scared by a bike and run in the wrong direction; the same could happen with pets and others could get hurt by someone not paying attention.
There is potential for a child to be scared by a bike and run in the wrong direction; the same could happen with pets and others could get hurt by someone not paying attention.
There is potential for a child to be scared by a bike and run in the wrong direction; the same could happen with pets and others could get hurt by someone not paying attention.
I don’t begrudge the cyclists having use of this trail, it’s the speed at which they are travelling. And I am not the only one with these concerns. What I ask is that you please slow down, shout that there are cyclists (and how many) coming up, ring that little tinkerbell on your bike a few times before you enter any blind corners and please slow down on the curves.
Meatloaf sang, Two out of Three Ain’t Bad (I want you, I need you, but I don’t love you) – well it ain’t good either. We need to strive for three out of three so we can all be safe, be calm and be kind.
Denice Thompson, White Rock
