By Biking, Beer and Toast<\/p>\n
Chief Johnson,<\/p>\n
Firstly, let me thank you for taking time to respond to my letter. You
\nhave solidified my respect for you and your position. Also, I’m very
\nglad that as a fellow cyclist you’ve got my sympathies at heart.<\/p>\n
I cannot disagree with any of the details you’ve thoughtfully
\ndescribed in your response. I am glad that BC Police are withholding
\nblame until this crash is fully investigated. I apologize for basing
\nmy criticisms on preliminary media information.<\/p>\n
I can’t help but wonder how this tragic crash plays out in the context
\nof the recent campaign to help prevent future bike\/ped deaths by
\neducating those most vulnerable- the bicyclists and pedestrians. I do
\nacknowledge that they may indeed be at fault sometimes, but to focus
\non increasing the lawfulness of those most at risk seems like we’re
\nignoring the far more critical problem- the drivers’ responsibility.<\/p>\n
I don’t know about you, but when the BC Police ask me to ride my
\nbicycle more lawfully it really doesn’t make me feel more protected
\nfrom injury and death.<\/p>\n
When you or I or any other well-intentioned driver injures a cyclist
\nwe carry responsibility regardless of fault. “I didn’t see them” or “I
\ncouldn’t stop in time” is not a valid excuse. When I ride on multi-use
\npaths I carry the responsibility of not injuring pedestrians whether
\nthey are walking lawfully or not. Why? Because I am the more dangerous
\nvehicle. And, what if they are walking erratically or are partly
\nobscured by the terrain? I must slow down, give the widest berth
\npossible and become extra vigilant. It is my responsibility to do so
\nmerely because the pedestrian is more vulnerable. Obvious to me, is
\nthat those operating 4,000 pound vehicles moving at 2-3 times bicycle
\nspeeds have the same responsibilities to bicyclists and pedestrians.
\nIndeed, they have a greater responsibility because the risk of deadly
\ninjury is so much greater. It’s a common rule of respect- protect the
\nvulnerable. Why are we not harshly reminding drivers of this at every
\npossible occasion? There is no surprise here- bicyclists and
\npedestrians are on our roads and they are us.<\/p>\n
When you and I and the BC Police have done everything in our power to
\nremind drivers of this, then and only then can we remind
\npedestrians how to walk safely.<\/p>\n