Life is always an education, and not everything sent your way is accurate. In fact, it’s getting worse.
And it’s not always on social media, the online cesspool of society where misinformation reigns supreme.
Recently, I learned that doing 47 km/h on Queen Street in Chatham – in a 50 km/h zone – is going too fast.
At least that is according to the guy who was jay walking across the street in front of me. I went past him as he seemed to want to step in front of me, only to yell at me to instead. “Slow down, buddy!”
Well, thanks for the friendly affectation at the end, but unless my speedometer was lying to me, I was just fine and dandy in terms of my vehicle’s velocity . Plus, just as an FYI, sir, you were the one breaking the law.
Speaking of breaking the law…I saw some odd sights around Chatham on a recent day, within a matter of minutes of one another, and I think they are worth a mention.
In the first instance, I noticed the Chatham-Kent Police Service’s pedal brigade cycling north on St. Clair Street. These two individuals, one a special constable and the other likely a full constable, were first spotted riding on the sidewalk.
Now, as police have reminded citizens time and time again, and it is mentioned in the municipality’s own Cyclist Handbook, “sidewalks are for walking.” Only children under the age of 11 are exempt.
I can pledge that these two were not under the age of 11.
However, when I went by them about a 30 seconds later, they were on the road, riding in single file. That’s obeying the law, but, in my opinion, that’s more dangerous.
The sidewalk was bereft of pedestrians when they were on it. It was safe for everyone involved. The street, however, is a busy four-lane affair.
I have long stated that riding a bicycle on St. Clair Street is akin to playing Traffic Roulette. You may be safe this time, but some impatient driver could sideswipe you the next time. Yes, it’s the driver of the vehicle who is at fault, but at what cost to the cyclist’s health?
Speaking of cyclists, apparently St. Clair Street just south of Grand Avenue is a great place to showcase one’s U-turn capabilities on your bike. What’s more, you do it while walking the bicycle.
That’s what I saw from one individual. He walked out of the southbound lanes and into the northbound ones. At least he wore a reflective vest.
As an adult, I’ve ridden bicycles on quiet streets in Lindsay and on busy avenues in the heart of Toronto, but Chatham is one of the craziest places to pedal. I parked the bike years ago, but would never dream of riding on St. Clair Street, Grand Avenue or Keil Drive. They are too chaotic and too full of impatient drivers looking to swerve their way to next stoplight, seeking to arrive there a few seconds earlier, only to hammer on the brakes at the last second, or just blow through an amber light.
