Editor:
Re: A pedestrian bombed my car with a drink because I didn't stop, NOW letters, Dec. 12
One must stop and take careful note of this particular letter to the editor. The anti-social behavior demonstrated by both the driver and the pedestrian must be taken into account.
To quote the author, “Everybody needs to get a grip.” I can assure him that I do indeed have a firm grip - on the handle bars of my electric bike.
I drive this bike, on an almost daily basis, from Burnaby North to the Metrotown area, in part to lose weight, in part as my contribution to climate change.
During my commute, I have noticed several things.
Both drivers and pedestrians do not pay enough attention at crosswalks. Nevertheless, pedestrians do have the right-of-way on any crosswalk, whether clearly visible or not. To quote an ICBC website, “Pedestrians have the right of way when in a crosswalk,” whether marked or not. However this right of way is not absolute.
Throwing objects at any moving vehicle is in excusable and likely a criminal offence. Additionally, blasting through a crosswalk, at a high speed, is likewise obnoxious.
However, one must ask the pertinent question: Unless the driver of this car was going in reverse at a high speed, how did the pedestrian manage to hit his windshield, with any object, unless his speed was not really that high, and simply an excuse.
If you are going to write a letter to the editor to defend your actions, and unilaterally condemn others, at least get your story straight enough to pass even a cursory examination of the facts as presented.
Stephen Meighan, Burnaby
