by Charles Macelli Cyclist: Sometimes I believe I am a vampire.
Elected official: Why do you say that? Can’t you see your reflection in the mirror?
Cyclist: Unfortunately, I still can. But I have to go out in the early hours of dawn. Sunshine seems to be particularly lethal to us cyclists.
Elected official: Huh?
Cyclist: You see, at dawn, especially between 6 to 6:30, there’s very little traffic. Those who are on the road have little to text about at that time; no one to chat with on their phones while driving. They may, however, be juggling hot coffees in their laps. Also, the only crazies then are generally white pickup drivers who, seeing empty roads, do just over twice the speed limit along Bowness Avenue and Duncan Street where I normally bike. The backwash from these guys almost sends me and my bike flying into the trees.
Elected official: Surely the police...
Cyclist: What police? If we had some dedicated bike lanes that the council promised several years ago I may be able to enjoy the sunshine and biking at the same time. I wonder what that’s like.
Elected official: Bike lanes cost money...lots of taxpayers’ money. They will create congestion by narrowing the roads and increase drivers’ frustrations. We simply can’t afford them. A cyclist’s life, now and then, is just another traffic statistic and can’t be helped. In all fairness, we did put up a lot of signs telling drivers to share the road with you guys.
Cyclist: Oh yes. The road hieroglyphics, now mainly covered by gravel and the occasional yellow signs that motorists largely ignore. I almost became one of your “traffic statistics” some time ago, ironically enough a handshake away from one of those “share the road” signs at the intersection of Manson and Park avenues, going toward Cranberry. I had already started going past that intersection when a yahoo behind me, in a pickup (of course), instead of slowing down and allowing me to get past, roared by me and turned right, into Park Avenue, missing me by inches. I suppose that’s what some people think about your signs.
Elected official: Maybe he didn’t see you. You do go out in the dark, after all.
Cyclist: I am easier to see in the dark since I wear two very bright lights on my helmet, one facing front and the other facing back and have two other flashing lights at the back of my bike. I also wear reflective clothing and have about four reflectors around the wheels. I may, of course, have been mistaken for a Christmas tree.
If you can get more of your friends to pose with their bikes for the Peak on top of Duncan, for a no pedalling ride down to city hall, we may get more support from the taxpayers for this issue.
Elected official: Thank you for bringing these concerns to my attention. I will, of course, present them to the council and we will address them very shortly. In the meantime, enjoy the moonlight.
Charles Macelli is a retired high school teacher from Alberta who moved to Powell River eight years ago. He is hoping to have a more positive cycling experience here in Powell River.
