LETTER – Pedestrians oblivious to cyclists on shared pathways
(Image: Mel Rothenburger)
Re: EDITORIAL – Inexperienced cyclists are a hazard on city’s streets
You must not ride as you didn’t say a word about shared pathways. The real dangers are here. Pedestrians are oblivious to cyclists coming behind them. Sometimes oblivious to those coming directly at them.
They use both sides of the path (there is a yellow strip down the middle for a reason), have leashed pets with the leash extending across the entire path, unleashed pets, stop in the middle of the path to text on their phones, and generally think the path is there exclusively for them.
The roads are in a sorry state of disrepair. Everyone speeds post-COVID. Park near a city park and watch how many disregard the speed limit. Try going the speed limit around town and count the cars aggressively pulling past you. RCPM aren’t enforcing anything.
We are damned if we do and damned if we don’t. I challenge you cycle for a month and get to know the dangers cyclists face in this city on a daily basis.
Certainly, cyclists must be aware of their surroundings at all times, but so must everyone else.
P. CURTIS
ArmchairMayor.ca 
Just a few days ago I had the crap scared out of me by a cyclist passing by me at a ridiculous speed. I didn’t know he was there until I felt the rush of air. Not knowing he was there, had I moved to the left even just a few inches h would have hit me. Bells should be mandatory .
In Amsterdam, every bicycle … every single bicycle, has a ringy dingy bell and you hear that sound all the time when bikes come up behind or around you as you walk. Although there are many bike only lanes there, and they are often separated from pedestrians, not always. Often the two groups just share the space with no line. Either way, the responsibility is on the biker to announce its arrival, so they ring a bell … and pedestrians always look up.
Simple.
Rather than complain and demand compliance to a yellow line standard,
the cyclists could instead actually take some responsibility to give pedestrians notice … and just get a bell.
Regarding pets, I am reminded of a day years ago when we were walking our dog on the Rivers Trail in Westsyde, a declared off leash dog park, and a spandex’d shod rider raced by on the path and took exception with our Collies penchant for chasing and barking at wheels … kicking at her and swearing.
Its a dog park … theres a dog there.
Talk about ‘stay in your lane’.
The RCMP aren’t enforcing anything! That’s the biggest and most disturbing truth there is presently. Excessive speed, cell phone use and general bad behaviour go completely unpunished. And since we, the taxpayers, pay them a wack of money out of our municipal taxes our city council should demand they do. Yes I know there is the easily reached excuse they are busy with the druggies but I personally don’t buy it.
The yellow line that is painted on the middle of the pathway…….is it for pedestrians or cyclists?
Pedestrians are taught to walk FACING oncoming traffic. That way, the pedestrians see the vehicle coming towards them.
On a shared pathway, pedestrians and cyclists are expected to move forward in the same direction.
It’s no wonder there are so many close calls on shared pathways.
By the way, pedestrians are supposed to have the right of way.
So often, on the Rivers Trail in Westmout area, cyclists come up from behind, unannounced and are moving a lot faster than a walking pace. There is little consideration for giving pedestrians the right of way.
Cyclists are fair game for speeding motorists on city streets. There is no doubt that shared pathways are safer for cyclists. Too bad if you are a pedestrian or a dog being walked on a shared pathway.