Dear Editor:
Regarding recent story, Cyclist Beats Cyclist in Path Rage Incident (Oct. 28, North Shore News): I had my own encounter with path rage recently in West Vancouver.
Being from North Vancouver and not familiar with the bicycle paths in West Van, I wound up inadvertently on the seawalk behind Park Royal. Seeing pedestrians, I operated my bicycle at an ultraslow rate.
Suddenly, a man of a mature age placed himself squarely in front of my bicycle, causing me to fall over almost onto the rocks. Naturally I was angered, and I got up and asked him why he would do this. Angry words were exchanged, and other people started to get involved. Seeing that there would be no reasoning, I chose to be the bigger man and move away.
I was joined by another man who had entered the melee when he became afraid I was going to strike the man who had caused me to fall. He was not wrong; it had been very close.
We walked together and discussed the incident. He was good enough to take me and show me where the bicycle path was. We agreed that while I was in error to have taken my bicycle onto a pedestrian pathway, the man's reaction to my being there was foolish and out of proportion with the situation.
I would ask anyone who finds themselves in a similar confrontation to consider whether their actions are sensible, mature and justified. An otherwise pleasant interlude on a beautiful day was interrupted unnecessarily, and the results could have been more serious.
Paul Dukes North Vancouver
