Editor:
Re: “ICBC for bicycles too,” “Highway needs ignored,” Letters, Aug. 13.
There was a call in the Aug. 13 Letters to the Editor to license bikes. Unfortunately, this idea has been tried and failed in many places; it is logistically complicated, and administration typically costs much more than the revenue it generates. It is also important to clarify that the law does not treat drivers as automatically at fault in the case of a driver-cyclist collision. Cyclists are as responsible as drivers for obeying the rules of the road. The rapid growth in e-bikes should be viewed as a welcome opportunity to reduce car dependency and shift towards green active transportation. And, as climate change wreaks havoc in our province, well-designed pedestrian and bike facilities that promote lower carbon-emissions transportation, allow for occasional error, and encourage appropriate car speeds sure seem like a good investment! The BC Cycling Coalition currently has a #VisionZero campaign addressing this issue.
There was also a concern raised in the same Letters section that highway improvements are being overlooked in favour of bike lanes. We totally agree that our highway needs work, but improving the active transportation networks (biking and pedestrian) within our communities is also important and need not come at the expense of highway improvements. Building more efficient and enjoyable ways of getting around will create a culture of using alternate modes of transportation that will reduce the demand on our highway. At the same time, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure needs to lead investments in making our highways safer for all users. So, thank you to Sechelt and Gibsons for taking the initiative to work with the provincial and federal governments to secure funding to improve our cycling and pedestrian networks. Now let’s hope MOTI steps up to make much needed safety improvements to Highway 101, including widened shoulders and safe pedestrian crossings.
Alun Woolliams,
President, Transportation Choices Sunshine Coast (TraC)
transportationchoices.ca
