In response to Mike Welsby’s letter on Friday (Bike lanes on Government not needed), as a family with a member who cycles that road twice a day, five days a week, I adamantly disagree.
We are a single income family living with a single vehicle, which most work days leaves my husband riding his bike to work and back. We live near Skinner Road and he twice daily uses Government Street to get to work. That route is a major artery to downtown and south Duncan for those of us living in our area.
Just last week while driving together, he commented on how he is finding his ride safer and more enjoyable after the bike lane completion, added signage and stencils making motorist aware of cyclists.
My husband has almost been hit a number of times over the past years, sworn at, cut off and disrespected by motorists in a hurry and unwilling to share the road.
I am grateful to the City of Duncan for making space for cyclists a priority to encourage others to ditch the car and bike, and making riding safer in the Valley for my husband and those who do likewise.
I would also add some perspective on those “rough ugly road areas” now exposed by the removed traffic island. I think if we really think about it, choosing to make safer the road for ALL those who use it, as opposed to making it prettier, is the much better choice.
I think we can all live with a few small bumps and some mismatched paving.
So next time you approach a cyclist and experience that momentary “inconvenience” of having to slow until you can safely pass, take a breath and remember that they are your fellow humans, with families and people who love them and want them to come home safe.
Christy McClelland
Duncan