Should racing cyclists be banned from Westsyde Road?
Waiting for a straight stretch, I’m in a lineup as this fellow keeps well to the right, but there’s no shoulder, and too many corners to pass him safely.
Should racing cyclists be banned from Westsyde Road?
It’s a question that needs to be asked, before somebody gets killed.
The road between the Dunes golf course and McLure ferry is a popular one for race cyclists, especially on weekends and Thursday evenings, when anywhere from a handful to dozens of cyclists test their stamina.
It’s a great sport, and a great road for it — except for one thing. It’s dangerous as hell for cyclists, and for the motorists who have to manoeuvre around them. The problem is there are no paved shoulders; in fact, no shoulders at all for much of it.
Sunday, I came upon a group of four. One was lagging a little behind, two were riding together (sometimes almost side by side), and one had gone out in front. Westsyde Road is very curvy, and it’s highly risky to pass without clear line of sight.
As I came up behind them, they kept waving at me to pass. I ignored them, and just about every time they waved, a truck would appear around a corner in the oncoming lane.
Eventually, I was able to pass the last three and pull in between them and the leader, and this guy, too, waved at me to pass him — and, sure as could be, another vehicle would come around a corner heading toward us as he did.
I don’t know if one of the three behind me was careless or just impatient, but he hustled up within a couple of feet of my rear bumper and tailgated me while I waited for a chance to pass the leader.
I know this road, and waited for a spot where I could get by. But here’s the point — some racing cyclists act like they own the road, and some drivers don’t give them proper space, getting too close and impatiently passing when they shouldn’t.
Of course, every time a driver complains about cyclists, the cyclists get indignant and blame it all on the drivers, and vice versa.
When Westsyde Road was rebuilt a few years ago, a cycling lane should have been added and everyone would have been happy, but that didn’t happen. This isn’t about drivers and cyclists playing the blame game, though — it’s about the fact that someone is going to get hurt or killed, especially since the Interior Grasslands Cycling Club now sends 10-year-olds out on this danger-ridden route on a regular basis.
Kamloops needs more good places for cyclists, but unfortunately our roads were built for automobiles and many aren’t suited for bicycles, especially road bikes.
I left a message for the club president a few days ago but haven’t heard back. If race cycling isn’t banned altogether (mountain bikes are fine because they can move over to the dirt shoulder) on Westsyde Road, something a lot better than a “Race in progress” sign is going to be needed, or there will be a tragedy.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
I am an avid road cyclist and mother of a 12-year-old who is also an enthusiastic road cyclist. My son has participated in the Westsyde Road races through the Grasslands Cycling Club and for most of those races I have ridden right behind him to ensure his safety, knowing that the drivers are thinking he is an adult and, therefore, not watching out for him and also knowing that he is not a driver and does not necessarily watch for drivers who may be driving without his safety in mind. Recently, I let him ride a time trial on his own, believing that the road is a rural one and because the traffic is fairly light, drivers would have opportunity to safely pass a single rider when the road is clear. Now, after hearing this debate, I will go back to riding with him. I fail to see the difference between passing a slow moving cyclist on a country road versus a tractor or a horseback rider.
I have ridden thousands of kilometres in BC, Alberta, Newfoundland and Washington during the last three years of riding on my own and with the Randonneur Club in their 200, 300, 400, 600 & 1200 kilometre events. I have seen roads with big shoulders, no shoulders, rumble strips, broken glass and frost heaves. I have to say this conversation makes me sad. Immediately when the subject is brought up, everyone becomes defensive. I have seen equally unacceptable behavior from both cyclist and drivers.
I admit, I am quick to jump to the cyclists defense because it seems very few city and road plans take cyclists into account. I have to admit, I have ridden beside my friends when I’m on a rural road because a big part of riding is the social part and riding on rural roads is such a blessing with the light traffic. I am quick to move over when I hear a vehicle behind me, but I know many are immediately angry when they see us out there. Thankfully, for the number of angry drivers there are many more courteous drivers. And for each angry biker, I hope drivers can remember there are many of us trying to be respectful while still out there enjoying the roads we are legally entitled to use. I hope in my son’s lifetime of road cycling that he never sees cyclists being banned from roads with no shoulder. Imagine what that would do to any cyclist who aspires to ride across Canada. There are many sections they would not be allowed to ride.
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Next “Tour de Topless” on Westsyde Rd! No tailgating as objects may appear closer . Its time to take that old truck and just enjoy the ride, even the Overlander bridge.Enjoy retirement, let Statler and Waldorf be your guide.
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Further to the dangers of taking photograph while driving – which you admit doing, I was reading about Mayor Ford (Toronto) and his reading while driving. The article also mentioned the following “Early Tuesday afternoon, @RyanGHaughton deleted his tweets about the picture, then closed his account itself prompting questions on social media sites if he was also driving while taking the picture.” See the article at http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/08/14/mayor-rob-ford-doesnt-deny-reading-while-driving-after-photo-snapped-im-busy/
I’m sure a search will identify further questions and concerns about this kind of dangerous driving.
Here’s my challenge to you: Contact the Kamloops RCMP and get their opinion if taking a photograph while driving is considered appropriate and safe driving. If they say that it is, I will recant my comments suggesting that it is dangerous behaviour. I think that’s a fair offer.
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Thank you for your apology. In return, I shall accept your point about the picture.
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Ok – I admit my comment about retirement was unnecessary and things leaning toward ageist remarks are uncalled for. I apologize. Sadly you seem unwilling or unable to apologize for your reckless driving.
However, you seem to fail to grasp that taking a photograph while driving (particularly in a situation where you indeed feel uncomfortable to boot with a “line up” of 2 cyclists behind you. The Daily News has, on numerous occasions run articles about the danger of using handheld devices.
For example:
http://www.kamloopsnews.ca/article/20120828/KAMLOOPS0101/308289970/0/kamloops/texting-and-driving-kills-stats-show
http://www.kamloopsnews.ca/article/20110606/KAMLOOPS0101/306069984/0/kamloops/police-still-seeing-texting-cell-chatting-drivers
Yes, ironically, you continue to ignore and reflect on your poor behaviour and driving habits with comments such as “If my concern for your safety and mine is a “pet peeve,” so be it.”
The fact remains, what you did was unnecessarily dangerous and the law-abiding cyclists on the other hand (due to your poor journalistic choice of examples) did nothing as dangerous as using a hand-held device while driving.
The act of taking a photograph from a camera while driving is dangerous as it involves aiming, centering, perhaps zooming, and other things that you instead say “requires no distraction” which unless the device is mounted in your car permanently and voice activated, is not possible.
Your article, using a notion of “banning cyclists” from Westsyde road which rather than sparking real conversation on “concern for your safety and mine” results in polarized and unnecessarily antagonistic discussion. This is another result of your poor journalistic choice.
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Jeez Mel, didn’t you used to say the same thing when you lived on Barnhartvale Road. Maybe you live somewhere near the Coq and you could get home with dealing with your dreaded bikers and every one’s problems would be solved. Hey aren’t you retiring soon? Slow Down man enjoy the ride.
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Man, I always thought Canadians to be the nicest, most polite & considerate people on earth, but you guys are being a little harsh on poor Mel here. Then again, if if this were a post down here in the states, it’d be filled with four-letter expletives, mostly from illiterate & angry drivers. So if this is an example of Canadians going absurdly crazy on the ‘net, my faith in your decency soldiers on.
That being said, and as an avid cyclist, I take the tone of Mr. Rothenberger’s piece to be far less provocative and accusatory, and more conciliatory. I genuinely think he’s not pointing out bad behavior, or suggesting that cyclists don’t have equal rights to the road. I infer from his piece that he’s looking for a compromise that keeps everyone safe. I admit, “banning” is a trigger word, but I think a motorist can be forgiven if, in the same article, they mention the need for wider shoulders, dedicated bike lanes, etc.
As a California resident, I’m not personally holding out too much hope for the 3-foot law, but I don’t put much faith in the efficacy of relatively unenforceable laws that will quickly become obscure. I fear it will become more punitive than preventative; a crime to charge someone with only after the tragedy has occurred. Better than nothing, perhaps, but not the hoped-for solution.
Anyhow, that looks like a beautiful road. I hope you all continue to enjoy it safely and politely.
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Funny how you continue to point at others without commenting on your own reckless behaviour. I suppose doing so here (in a public forum) would tell the real truth – your behaviour – photographing while driving was the real danger this past Sunday morning.
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I’m confident my behaviour was the least dangerous thing going on that morning. When cyclists and motorists acknowledge they’re both part of the problem, maybe we’ll get somewhere.
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Here’s a analogy for you:
Driver pulled over by cop who smells alcohol on his breath but says, “officer, I only had a couple”. Fortunately there was no accident as a result.
Driver pulled over for talking on his cell but says, “officer, sorry, I forgot my bluetooth today.” Fortunately there was no accident as a result.
Mel Rothenberger admits to taking a photograph (probably several – who knows) but says “I’m confident my behaviour was the least dangerous thing going on that morning” then proceeds to write an unnecessarily inflammatory piece (banning cycling – sheesh – get a life) about his personal pet peeve – cyclists on Westsyde Road and admits that the person he took a photo of was acting and cycling in a law-abiding (even evidenced by the photo) that didn’t cause any problems. Fortunately there was no accident as a result.
I think you, sir, are ready for retirement – preferably in a place with no country roads!
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Ow — now we’re even indulging in a little agism. If my concern for your safety and mine is a “pet peeve,” so be it.
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Race in progress, whether it is the race to get home to the “geezer’ sticks or the Thursday night time trial, the objective is to “Share the Road” and arrive safely. Mel, your knowledge of the road to Black Pines is probably shared with that racing cyclist , The road is well known . Co-exist , those are humans in that lycra!
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I’m trying, I really am — unfortunately, others don’t try as hard.
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Editor Mel wrote: “I’m trying, I really am — unfortunately, others don’t try as hard.”
I’m sorry, but that’s a crock. A look at the photo (you dangerously took of me while driving) clearly indicates and evidences that indeed I’m following the road rules exactly. Correct side of the road near the side. When you make comments like that it just evidences your particular pet peeve and immature attitude on this particular issue.
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My, but cyclists are sensitive whenever this topic is brought up. I never suggested you specifically weren’t riding safely — what I was suggesting was that this is not a good road for race cycling because many drivers don’t give proper leeway, and there are no paved shoulders for the cyclists to use. But, if groups of cyclists wouldn’t insist on hogging the road several abreast (which I’ve seen on many occasions), they would add to their own safety and that of the drivers. The bottom line of my comments is this — if we’re all going to share the road, you guys have to be a lot smarter about the way you use it. I’ve already said drivers aren’t any better. You put way too much trust in them. As for having your picture taken, sorry if that offended you (firing off a shot from a goof proof requires no distraction and is a lot safer than what I’ve seen many drivers do with their cellphones). Here’s to harmony on the roadways.
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Mark Sept 9th on your calendar , the annual M.S. BikeTour will come to your neighbourhood as this year it will be extended to 100 km. So don’t feel threatened if there is an invasion of lycra, their not looking for you !
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Thanks for the heads up! Please ride carefully in case Whispering Pines is having one of its big motocross events that weekend.
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A note that the photo caption “I’m in a lineup as this fellow keeps well to the right, but there’s no shoulder, and too many corners to pass him safely.” is incorrect. I remember you passing me and in fact your vehicle was the only one at that time and verified this with one of the other riders. Tampering with the truth is a dangerous thing for a newspaper editor. Indeed, I believe that your driving at that time was unorthodox, but that’s just perspective. I also suspect that taking a photograph while driving is likely illegal and certainly the most dangerous thing that happened on Sunday morning (hardly rush hour) and I recall that you were the only one in the vehicle when you passed. Perhaps you should brush up on safe driving techniques appropriate on a rural (or any) road – handheld devices are illegal while driving.
Bicycles aren’t going to be banned from any road and as others have noted are permitted under the Motor Vehicles act. Folks like the group of 4 I rode with – all professionals with an average age probably close to 60 (including one in his 70s) who are law-abiding cyclists are hardly a target I would expect from you. I think the clear thing, based on both your behaviour that day, and what others suggest, is that you have a particular beef with cyclists on Westsyde road. I don’t live that way and can’t say I’ve paid attention in past.
By the way, we were riding at an average speed of somewhere between 30-35 km/hr and the few moments you waited to find a place you felt comfortable passing couldn’t have possibly extended your journey by more than a couple moments. Thanks for the wide berth on passing though – as someone else suggested, making a 3 foot berth – let’s go for a meter as Canada’s a metric country – would help boost Kamloops’ move to try to position itself as the Tournament Capital of Canada. Oh – about that line up – you might want to check your eyes when you renew your driver’s license or even better – since it seems you live on Westsyde road – get a road bike and some great exercise!
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Sorry, but you are absolutely incorrect — on at least two occasions, other vehicles appeared around the corner just as you attempted to wave me by. Thinking that, on a cyclist, you can see better than someone in an automobile is dangerous.
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And what was with the tailgating?
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Er – what tailgating. I was at the front – as you can clearly see.
A line up normally would be described as several vehicles in a row. Yours was the only one behind me when you came up behind me (and indeed I waved you to pass, but obviously your pet peeve with cyclists on Westsyde road and making a story out of nothing – photographing while driving – is the real issue here), perhaps an eye check up is needed.
Also – you didn’t respond to the note about your dangerous driving habit of taking photographs while driving which as previously noted, was certainly the most dangerous thing that happened that morning. I would think that is normally a ticketed traffic infraction. Just food for thought.
Incidentally, that is the quietest time on that road and the moment or two that your trip was delayed was hardly a major inconvenience and we were hardly cycling at a slow pace.
For the sake or argument if you were behind me for 1 or 2 kilometers (2 is a likely absolute maximum) and my speed on a bike is 30 km/hr. The time your trip is actually delayed while waiting for a opportunity to pass is no more than one or two moments.
I’m sure you’ll be relieved when winter comes and there are no cyclists on roads in Kamloops. BTW – the most dangerous roads around Kamloops are not the country roads such as Westsyde road, but ones such as the Trans Canada Highway (recall the father of young children killed a couple years back out near Dallas Rd.) and Highway 5A with a number of quite reckless truck drivers in particular who often hug the road very near the shoulder (which exists there) making cycling very uncomfortable. Perhaps we’d all be better if we sped along all these roads in gas guzzlers such as yours and ignored healthy life styles.
For the record, I’m not the member of the cyclying club – or any club for that matter.
I recommend you identify more meaningful and important issues to address from your pulpit prior to riding (pardon me) – driving off in the sunset from the KDN.
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Sorry, I was talking about the guy behind me — in the lineup of which mine was the only vehicle amongst the bikes — who WAS on my bumper. Think I was the only one who was being patient that day. With all that waving, the rest of you seemed anxious that I pass.
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Dear Armchair person…most of what you have said here is nothing new in the protracted battle involving cyclists and automobiles. I have great respect for the Grasslands cycling club and what they have done to bring back road riding to our city, and am confident that they are handling their events in a very safe manner. Very good of you to do what drivers should do, and wait for the opportune time to advance past the cyclist.
I appreciate your advocacy for better conditions for cyclists and agree that our roads could be much better if those who build them consider the bicyclist and the motorist and their common and individual needs. Most cities are recognizing this and developing plans and additional lanes. Kamloops has some catching up to do, but we could be a very good road riding destination if adequate bike lanes were added to roads such as the old Merritt Highway and your Westsyde road.
I understand you are retiring soon, and would like to encourage you to get a nice road bike and enjoy some riding. Although I rarely read your essays, some that I have read seem to indicate that you are usually quite angry and upset about a vast number of issues and the cycling should assist you to relax and enjoy your retirement.
Best wishes to you!!!
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Yesterday when I read this article, I initially asked myself if you were kidding.
Do you seriously want to ban cycling on Westsyde road so you do not have to slow down your car a couple times a month? Are you that important a person that you can not loose about 2-3 minutes (maximum) a month? These were the first questions that came to my mind.
You have not considered the advantages to road cycling and benefits to many people who live in Kamloops. You have only considered the inconvenience to yourself. If a car slows down and waits they can pass safely. You don’t seem to want to do this. I do not think that the Tournament Capital should discriminate against one sport over the other. We have arenas, soccer fields, softball fields, baseball fields, swimming pools etc. What is there for road biking? All they ask is you slow down, be patient and pass safely. Many people in Kamloops road bike for social reasons, fitness & health, competition, and cross training (eg. many speed skaters bike to cross train).
Please consider joining the road biking groups for fitness. You will probably gain and extra year of life from being more fit. Then you will have back the minutes you lost sitting in your car (and then some).
P.S. I am a member of a family who is (and has been) involved in soccer, baseball, swimming, hockey, gymnastics, speed skating, jogging, mountain biking, and yes road biking too.
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You misunderstand what I’m saying — passing on almost any stretch of that road is dicey. Please refer to my response to Shirley McGillivray re: rural drivers.
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Instead of suggesting that the banning bicycles from Westsyde road is some sort of feasible solution, perhaps the author could advocate that Kamloops should pass a law similar to the one recently passed in California which mandates vehicles passing cyclists from behind give a 3 foot berth. This would put Kamloops at the forefront of bicycle friendly communities and help increase the already considerable reputation our area has as a cycling/sporting activity tourist destination.
We should attempt to protect all of our citizens safety. Cyclists are tax-payers as well and have every right to the use of Public roads.
By voicing the opinion that cyclists should not be allowed on public roads sets a dangerous tone to some drivers who already believe they own the roads by instilling the belief that cycling does not belong on the roads. The last thing which the cycling community needs is people advocating this stance. It is completely irresponsible. If the authors view is to help protect cyclists on Westsyde road the more responsible approach would be to urge drivers to slow down, be patient and pass when it is safe to do so.
http://www.bikerumor.com/2012/08/27/california-assembly-passes-3-foot-passing-rule/
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Give it a rest Mel. You have been complaining about cyclists on Westsyde Road for years. Cyclists have just as much right to be on the road as you do; it doesn’t matter if they are racing or riding individually. If it bothers you so much to slow down, try saving some gas and stay off the road Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings.
By the way, mountain bikers cannot always move over to the dirt shoulder because it may be too soft or there may be broken glass compliments of a litterbug driver.
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That’s a little like saying cars have a right to drive in bike lanes. Bikes and cars just don’t mix well on roads that aren’t built for both. Compromises can be made, but some roads will always be dangerous for cyclists because they’ll be on the losing end of any accident. And, really, stay off the road on a Thursday evening when I’m driving home?
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Perhaps you should brush up on the Motor Vehicle Act, which governs bicycles as well as motor vehicles. In order to ban bicycles from roadways, the Act would have to be changed.
Of course, cyclists will always be in danger when coming up against a vehicle. The City has not planned most of its roads for cyclists and it would cost an enormous amount of tax payer dollars to build bike lanes. A bike lane does not ensure a rider’s safety because a lot of drivers ignore the law and drive or park illegally in bike lanes or open their vehicle door into the path of a cyclist. Some of the City’s bike routes are just plain stupid. Legally, cyclists are not allowed on Hwy 1 and must use Columbia Street as their route. Most drivers will not move over into the left lane and this forces cyclists to break the law by riding on the sidewalk. My husband was hit, riding down Columbia Street, by a driver making a left turn.
You live in a rural community by choice. Do you feel the same animosity toward slow moving farm equipment or farm animals?
You are a high profile person who could help promote healthy living and exercise in our community. By the way, you will be retiring soon so you won’t need to drive home on Thursday evenings anymore.
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The only animosity I sense is yours, not mine — a lot of cyclists seem to become defensive and hostile any time a suggestion is made that they’re part of the problem. Please remember that it’s a two-way street, so to speak, and I refer you to my post of July 15, 2011, “Rural drivers are the absolute worst.” I wrote, in part, “It’s not that some drivers on rural roads are careless, inattentive and dangerous — it’s that most of them are. They’re emboldened by the light traffic on such roads, and by the fact there’s little to no policing. So they treat them like freeways instead of the narrow, winding roads they are. But they aren’t the only ones who use them. People walk, run, cycle and ride horses on them, and most drivers don’t give them the berth that’s needed when they pass. It’s a fact that rural roads, with much less traffic than urban roads, experience the highest number of accidents. And the number one cause of those accidents is driver error. While only about 20 per cent of the population lives in rural areas, about 60 per cent of highway deaths happen there.”
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Oops… sorry if you thought I was one of the road racers. I am a former cycling commissaire so I am well aware of the problems that exist between motor vehicles and cyclists. I am also aware that cyclists can be part of the problem. For your information, I am a recreational cyclist and ride a tandem bicycle. Drivers really don’t like tandems because we take up more space and are harder to pass. We have ridden our tandem in several cities and rural areas in North America and the most impatient drivers are here in Kamloops.
I am a firm believer in educating drivers and cyclists to share the road and abide by the rules of the road. That means drivers need to slow down and have a little patience and cyclists need to ride as far to right as they safely can. Banning cyclists from our roadways is not the answer.
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It’s a narrow country road, drive accordingly and slow down, especially when someone else is using it!
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That’s the biggest problem with Westsyde Road….. People don’t know how to drive the speed limit. Correct that and all the problems will be solved. Share the road with cyclist!!
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