Editor: In response to the “Give cyclists their space on our roads,” letter to the editor in the June 12 Chatham Voice, I do understand the writer’s concern regarding drivers not giving cyclists enough respect when passing them. But, I see it’s much worse with the lack of respect by the cyclists themselves.
Just two days before reading the letter, as I was pulling out of a business on Keil Drive, my view to my right was blocked by a cube van that was parked legally in front of the business, so I had to inch out slowly to look for pedestrians. As I was doing this, a young man on an electric bike flew past me on the sidewalk, luckily, I was able to stop without hitting him.
He stopped and turned at me swearing and stating that I was at fault for nearly hitting him. I explained that first, my view was blocked and was going as slow as I could to look for pedestrians; and second, he has no right to be riding his bike, especially an electric one, on the sidewalk.
He then stated he can ride where ever he wants.
The letter writer is correct. Some people are just stupid.
On another occasion when I was leaving a pizza store in downtown Blenheim, I stepped onto the sidewalk and was hit by a kid on his bike, again riding on the sidewalk. Luckily I just had minor cuts.
In the area between Blenheim and Shrewsbury, we have a cyclist that always rides his bike three feet from the centre line and purposely holds up traffic and will not move over for anyone. It kind of makes you wonder why the municipality spending thousands of dollars to put in bike lanes.
He says it’s his right, which might very well be, but, again stupid people.
I often drive a delivery vehicle and see bikes on sidewalks and crossing in front of traffic all the time. I understand the letter writer’s beef, but cyclists often are just as much to blame.
Kevin Jack
Blenheim
