Dear editor,
Would I like to see happy family groupings cycling together over extended distances and growing fitter physically and mentally in the process? Of course I would.
But it won’t happen. Why? Because it’s not viable – nor is it sustainable. Not currently.
Study after study produces similar results. Ninety-plus per cent (in the majority of such studies roughly 98 per cent) of the bikes to be used for ‘cycling holidays’ arrive on racks attached to motorized vehicles. ‘Cycle tourism’ currently is people using their bikes in select locations for select activities. Because the energy, fitness, and time needed for actual extended cycling vacations simply don’t exist for most of the population.
Most individuals, and families, who cycle together do so for short stints on the slopes of Mt. Washington or other such attractions before racking the bike for the trip home. More power to you for doing even this. But converting this type of cycling into commuter or long distance cycling holidays is a huge leap.
Many people now live in one community and commute to another for work. More and more people moving to Vancouver Island and creating more and more traffic on already congested roads will make light rail down Vancouver Island a necessity for commuters – and soon.
A necessity both economically and environmentally.
But once we start tearing up those tracks, that corridor will devolve out of useful capacity in no time.
Here’s an alternative… leave the track. Start restoring it. For commuter and tourism reasons. Clear and harden the apron to the track for cycling.
Put space on each rail car for bicycles. People can then ride from Courtenay to say Parksville, hop on the train down to Ladysmith, hop off and cycle to Mill Bay, then back on for the Malahat into Victoria where Biketopia is waiting.
You could use the combo of train – bike apron any way you choose any time you choose. Less vehicles clogging highways. More individuals, groups and families cycling comfortably. Less pollution – on several fronts. The cost by comparison to the cost to everyone for never-ending road construction is negligible.
Rob Thompson,
Comox