Dear Editor:
Why is it the bike advocates get most of the attention? No one ever mentions their percentage-wise use within the community.
In the last five years, we have seen a huge growth in population in the City and District of North Vancouver; it's been five years of construction traffic problems, some within the same block at the same time. Right now we have disruptions on 13th at Lonsdale, 13th at St. George's, 15th at Lonsdale, both east and west, 17th at Lonsdale, and the bottom of the West Keith Road hill, to name only a few. Roads have been narrowed to support the expensive bike lanes we do have. Separated bike lanes for Marine, Esplanade, Chesterfield? Prove to me first we have a need, the existing bike lanes are usually empty, and having lived in North Vancouver most of my life I do not agree it's a warranted price or need.
I do not agree that "people don't ride-because they are afraid". People don't ride because they are travelling to work, to shop, to visit. They don't want to ride. Cycling is not always an appealing choice.
I suppose as a resident of the city, we get what we deserve: poor turnout at elections, representatives in office who are pushing an agenda not liked by residents. I do not remember voting for the increase in bike lanes, road calming, and reduced lane width. Decisions based on "studies" made elsewhere are not always the answer.
Lynn Gordon, North Vancouver
