EDITOR,
To all drivers and construction companies:
My commute to work is terrifying! I bike a section of Highway 99 just south of Squamish (including the area of construction of the overpass) and it scares me almost every day. First, to anyone working on the road (particularly a road with bike lanes), you understand how scary drivers can be, hence the reason you don't stand where they drive; you stand slightly off to the side where its safe. So I would think you would understand why cyclists like to stay in bike lanes. Sadly, the bike lanes through my daily commute are often littered with signs taking up the entire lane and forcing me to swerve out onto the lane of traffic! Now, I understand the need for signs, but surely in this day and age we can figure out somewhere to put them that aren't hindering hundreds of cyclists a week! I have also had the pleasure of biking uphill in the traffic where there the bike lane has been ripped out (pedestrians have been re-routed, but stairs are hard on a bike). The worst bike ride so far was the day both lanes of traffic were on one side of the median and I had to bike in the only lane of traffic going my direction, holding up all the cars behind me as I struggled uphill as fast as I could, hoping desperately no cars would try to pass me. Fortunately that was the one day that I have been happy with drivers.
Second, I would like to ask all drivers to not completely terrify cyclists. I think this news article from my hometown speaks for itself: www.vernonmorningstar.com/news/166553196.html
Every day I bike, whether on the highway through construction zones, or through town, I wonder if this is going to be the day I get hurt.
Please, have a heart. Slow down.
Becky Baillie
Squamish
