Cycling in Mill Bay is terrible
My family of four recently visited the Mill Bay/Shawnigan Lake area on a short bicycle tour from Schwartz Bay and then across the ferry from Brentwood Bay. We are experienced cyclists who have cycled as a family in a variety of rural locations, especially the Gulf Islands and the Similkameen Valley. We were familiar with Mill Bay from a house sitting gig we had about a decade ago, and remember it being quite friendly to cyclists. Apparently things have changed.
On this trip I can only describe the attitude of motorists as hostile. Drivers by and large travelled beyond the speed limit and passed by us unsafely close — the drivers of plus-sized pickup trucks by far the worst in this regard. Shockingly, they could clearly see we were travelling with children, and still took no interest in looking out for our safety. I am still shaken by the experience. Needless to say, we won’t be returning to the area.
Patrick Parkes
New Westminster