Dear Editor
Walking on sidewalks in North Burnaby is a dangerous form of exercise. Each morning as I take my walk the cyclists whip by at 20 to 30 km/h.
This is particularly dangerous as you cannot hear them coming behind you. Even when they approach from the front they expect or force you to step aside. This morning I yelled at one to get off the sidewalk. He yelled back, “Where do you want me to go?” I did tell him where to go. Go to the road. Within minutes a cyclist rode up from behind went around me onto the grass. I didn’t know he was there until I felt the breeze. I’ve been brushed by backpacks forced to jump to one side.
There are miles and miles of bike paths in Burnaby. In the second instance above, the paved bicycle path was 20 feet away.
I know that folks will say that the answer is education. Maybe, but I do believe enforcement would help. But then again I am writing about Hastings Street. Here the bicycles on sidewalks twin with the single occupant vehicles in the HOV lane.
There is no enforcement, and the lack of respect for pedestrians and safety continues.
Ray Power, Burnaby
