Bert Groenenberg
Special to Tribune
This column is written as an imaginary conversation between Maddy the Motorist and Wanda the Wandering Cyclist.
Dear Maddy the Motorist;
Ah, what a great ride! We rode the Galloping Goose Trail for 11 kilometers, none of it close to vehicle traffic. It went under some crossroads, over some and had the right of way at most level crossings.
My better half and I were in Victoria area to visit family and friends. The green-themed motel offered the free use of ebikes.
So, we rode the Galloping Goose Trail, built on an abandoned railroad right of way. As railroads have very gentle grades, they are ideal to bike on. The trail has many connecting points on to and from neighbouring roads. Many cyclists were on the trail in the middle of the day; about half were riding ebikes.
Later, we used our own bicycles on the Lochside route in the Saanich Peninsula and near Duncan, all on former rail lines.
In downtown Victoria, many streets had dedicated bike paths painted green. But we didn’t ride them. Maddie, as a driver, does it bother you to have to adjust to all the bicycles on the road in Victoria?
Signed; Wanda the Wandering Cyclist
Dear Wanda;
The green painted lanes for bikes took me some time to get used to. But the lanes remind me to watch out for cyclists which I didn’t really do before. Like pedestrians, cyclists do have the right of way at intersections over me as a driver when I want to turn either right or left.
The green “bike box” is a new innovation. It keeps me almost a vehicle length further back at stop lights and signs. Unlike before, I can now see the cyclist over my tall truck hood.
I’m glad you enjoyed your visit to Victoria.
Signed; Maddy the Motorist
Bert Groenenberg is a driver, cyclist and pedestrian.
