This column is written as imaginary correspondence between Byron the Bicyclist and Maddie the Motorist.
Dear Byron the Bicyclist.
Driving in Williams Lake this past week, I saw more than the usual number of cyclists. In fact, at Oliver and Third Street there was a bike at three of the four corners.
Any idea why? Was there a special event?
Signed; Maddie the Motorist
Dear Maddie.
Yes, it was and still is B.C. Fall Go by Bike Weeks! It is two weeks this fall instead of the normal one week in the spring. So, Maddie, you can still get out of your two-ton steel cage and join us. The fresh air will sharpen your brain. If you ride up the south end of Windmill Crescent, your heart will get just the exercise it needs peddling up in low gear. Just ask your doctor.
By the way, thanks to the city of Williams Lake for repaving the south end of Windmill Crescent this past week. They filled in the holes and crevices; it is safer.
Let us continue making it better for all travellers. A few weeks ago, people from Urban Systems were here to help us develop an active transportation plan that includes all road users.
Many B.C. communities have had an active transportation plan for years, or even decades. Kitimat’s design in the 1950s included wide sidewalks to allow for both pedestrians and cyclists. I rode them a few weeks ago, it was great. Terrace officially opened its trails and cycle routes in 2014, one of which was between Highway 16 and the rail line. Smithers will be expanding its trail network another 12 kilometres east to Telkwa so cyclists don’t have to ride on Highways 16.
Maddie, for pedestrians and cyclists to be safer in Williams lake, we have a lot of work to do here.
Signed; Byron the Bicyclist
Bert Groenenberg is a pedestrian, cyclist and motorist.
