Dear Editor:
Trevor Lautens’ apocryphal contributions to your columns rarely fail to raise a smile.
However, his mischievous attack on the generally well received Ambleside beach improvement proposals (May 20) was less-than-amusing in its clichéd disdain for the splendid Spirit Trail concept — a multi-use pathway for non-motorized users relatively free from toxic vehicular effluvia and which some day will unite Deep Cove with Horseshoe Bay and beyond — a potentially world-class, traffic-free recreational facility sure to attract a great many users (and customers to Ambleside).
Intelligent detailed design of the trail through Ambleside as envisaged by the plan will minimize the risks that Mr. Lautens would have us believe are so terrifying.
Beach- and park-goers, after negotiating the obstacle course of Marine Drive, Bellevue Avenue and the CN tracks, must surely welcome the opportunity to use a formalized crossing of the trail rather than the free-for-all that prevails on Argyle at present. It’s 2016 after all and much has been learned about safe intersection design as well as the dangers of angled parking bays.
It’s evident that the interests of “gentle strollers” and parking lot users are not coincidental. On the other hand, a dedicated walking path along the shoreline, and separated lanes for the walkers and cyclists on Argyle would be a significant improvement although there may be some that will mourn the absence of tinkling bicycle bells cautiously threading a way among the earbud-equipped walkers.
Ambleside’s severely limited public space must be shared among users equitably and managed safely. The district staff’s attempt to facilitate safe cycling for all ages and abilities in this context is to be applauded. The demand for safe cycling does not arise from a careless “Spandex-clad” fringe group.
The West Vancouver Seniors' Activity Centre alone supports four seniors’ cycling groups with nearly 300 members (including myself) who benefit in numerous ways from collectively cycling some 150,000 kilometres annually, mostly on the safe regional cycle path network, and especially on the Spirit Trail, on which our municipal neighbours also continue to invest so much. Closing the gap in the trail through Ambleside could help to release considerable social and economic benefits to the district and to the region. What is so terrifying about that?
Paul Stott
West Vancouver
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