Dear editor,
Having been off the island for most of July, I was surprised to return and find that the road resurface machines had exited the Valley, but left in their tracks only partially resurfaced roads, wherever they had been. As a sometime cyclist, I quickly discovered that cyclists and pedestrians will have to choose between the uneven un-resurfaced road shoulder out of the path of vehicular traffic or ride on the nice new smooth resurfaced road, but contending for space with the Valley’s motorists.
But there is I think a better way. Whilst on vacation this summer, I had the opportunity to spend two weeks in Portugal. I could not help but notice their way of ensuring a much safer road sharing system. This photo was taken between the town of Vieira de Leiria and Praia de Leiria – a distance of several kilometres. In the picture in the centre of the photo is a two-way cycle path and on the far left-hand side, a pedestrian path, with a two-way road in between for vehicular traffic. While you won’t always see a separate path for pedestrians, you do see the separation of cyclist paths from vehicular traffic all over Portugal. I think this is clearly a better approach for everyone and certainly safer way to share the road.
In my experience, most motorists, cyclists and pedestrians in our Valley are courteous and to try to share the road. But it is not problem-free and the lack of separate paths does make the driving, biking and walking experience more stressful than it need be. Especially after dark or during really busy traffic times.
I think we should follow Portugal’s lead and create separated paths for the various road users. The Comox Valley is already a renown mountain biking destination, but we could also become a destination for road cyclists and a more friendly place for locals wishing to commute by bicycle and electric scooter and for pedestrians.
I suggest the provincial government take the funds saved by only partially resurfacing the roadways in the Valley and apply those savings towards constructing separated pathways for cyclists and pedestrians. The Dike Road would be a good place to start as that is a popular road for everyone.
We really can may sharing the road a safer and more pleasant and less stressful experience for everyone, cyclists, pedestrians, scooter riders, perhaps even long boarders and certainly motorists.
Richard Clarke
Comox