Dear Editor:
I agree with cycling advocate Jay MacDonald (Bike Crash Stokes East Keith Debate, Aug. 17, North Shore News) when he says the Spirit Trail is a not an option for most cyclists; in fact, it is being used to deny improvements to infrastructure for sport cyclists and bike commuters.
Like the Ambleside Seawalk, the Spirit Trail was designed to provide a safe paved path for people to jog, walk their dogs, push a stroller or supervise kids learning to cycle. While it may accommodate casual cyclists, the Spirit Trail is no place for lycra-clad riders commuting at 30 kilometres/hour.
Recent road improvements on Welch Street from the Lions Gate Bridge to Lower Capilano Road adjacent to the Spirit Trail provide an example of how commuter infrastructure is compromised by the path. When curbing and paving Welch Street, road designers provided no shoulder or bike lane to accommodate speedier cyclists. Commuter cyclists now have two options on this improved network: Get on the shared Spirit Trail and try to avoid recreational users or stay on the road and increase risk while slowing and angering motorized traffic.
This design decision is a repeat of a 10-year-old mistake the District of North Vancouver made when redesigning Dollarton Highway through Maplewood. From the Second Narrows Bridge east past Riverside Drive, cyclists have to choose between two evils: riding narrow curbed roads crowding fast-moving cars or getting on shared sidewalks and crowding pedestrians. Ideally, cyclists would have the option of dedicated, separated bike lanes, but when that's not practical, cyclists need a piece of the road.
Will Schuurman North Vancouver
