Dear Editor:
As a regular North Shore cyclist I am disappointed at the entitled attitude of both pedestrians and cyclists alike when it comes to use of the Green Necklace at Grand Boulevard.
The signage is clear. Bikes only on the outside paths with the inside path for pedestrians.
I have come close to colliding with pedestrians walking with their backs to me on the outside path. Although I have rung my bell several times they do not hear it because they either have earbuds in while listening to music or they are seniors with hearing loss.
Inevitably, they veered into my lane and I had to emergency stop to avoid hitting them. When I politely pointed out that the outside path is for bikes only I have been told very few cyclists use the path so they should be able to. Or my favourite, “I pay taxes so I’ll walk wherever I like” quoting a senior lady.
Likewise, I have seen cyclists riding among pedestrians on the middle path. I pointed out to one fellow cyclist that the middle path is for pedestrians and our path is on the outside.
He disagreed, saying his interpretation was the middle path was a shared use path and pointed to an icon of a child riding a bike with training wheels on the sign. I pointed out that he was not a child. His reply was strangely the same as the senior lady. He pays taxes and is therefore entitled to ride wherever he pleases.
Clearly, the extremely expensive Green Necklace has set up the perfect storm for clashes between selfish cyclists and pedestrians alike. I have quit riding the Necklace. In my view it is just a matter of time before someone is seriously injured.
Robb Douglas
North Vancouver
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