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There’s room — and law — for both cars, cycles on road

It’s amazing how many motorists in this area seem to think cyclists don’t belong on “their” roads. While there are some roads in the province (mostly freeways) designated for the use of vehicles only, there are no such roads on Vancouver Island. All public roads on the Island, including bridges, are multipurpose roads meant for the use of pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles.
8266300_web1_170426-PQN-M-PQN-Letters

It’s amazing how many motorists in this area seem to think cyclists don’t belong on “their” roads. While there are some roads in the province (mostly freeways) designated for the use of vehicles only, there are no such roads on Vancouver Island. All public roads on the Island, including bridges, are multipurpose roads meant for the use of pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles.

Cyclists are expected to ride approximately one metre from the edge of the pavement so they can ride in a predictable line as they avoid obstacles such as potholes, glass and sewer grills. When motorists overtake a cyclist they are expected to provide 1-1.5 meters of clearance between the outside of their vehicle’s mirror and the cyclist.

This means on some roadways, where there is no shoulder (a lot of 19A for example, including the four-lane section through Parksville) cyclists may need to ride on the left side of the white line and motorists will have to cross the centre line or partially change lanes, when safe to do so, in order to overtake a cyclist. On most of the side roads in the area, including Grafton, motorists are required to cross the centre line in a safe manner to overtake a cyclist. For bridges in the area, motorists and cyclists should proceed in single file as they cross the bridge.

It is the duty of the three groups of users to learn to safely coexist while using our roadways. Lives are at stake. I can’t imagine many circumstances in which the few seconds a motorist may have to wait in order to safely pass a cyclist will have a real impact on his/her day, so what’s with the attitude, the anger?

A passionate cyclist and avid motorist.

Rick Beaudoin

Qualicum Beach