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SHARE THE ROAD: Williams Lake cyclist rides in Toronto

Small town cyclist experiences cycling in a big city
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Bert Groenenberg is an avid cyclist who enjoys riding his bike for freedom and fitness. Groenenberg appreciated the bicycle-themed sculpture in downtown Rossland on a road trip. (Photo submitted) Bert Groenenberg is an avid cyclist who enjoys riding his bike for freedom and fitness. Groenenberg appreciated the bicycle-themed sculpture in downtown Rossland on a road trip. (Photo submitted)

This column is an imaginary correspondence between Maddie the Motorist and Byron the Bicyclist. Recently, we welcomed Patty the Pedestrian. It is meant to educate as well as entertain the reader.

Dear Maddie the Motorist;

Wow, what a couple weeks it has been. First I was bicycling in Rondeau Park on the wooded shores of Lake Erie. It had little or no vehicle traffic and was flat as a pancake. So restful.

Then I bicycled down in Toronto. First it was river valleys which were calm, quiet and cool, then back up on the streets, I had to be alert. Some streets had designated bike lanes, which was so nice. Some quiet streets were suggested by on-pavement marking, but some roads had no special provisions for bicyclists. I had to be on high alert!

For the most, I felt safe. Speed limits on arterial roads were 40 km per hr and only 30 km per hr on residential streets. Drivers respected my right to be on the road. But at one place, I hit the edge of a bus stop’s concrete pad. Aaack! It caused me to veer to the curb but I maintained control. After that, I rode on the sidewalk for a couple blocks but gave pedestrians the right of way.

In the downtown area, I saw a lot of delivery service on electric bikes, electric kick scooters and the European style scooters. Most operators had big square black bags strapped to their backs suggesting food delivery. Uber Eats? One electric kick scooter blew by me at what seemed to be 40 km per hour. But even at my 15 km per hour, I could move faster than the stop and go traffic, which is fun. Not to mention I didn’t have to drive around looking for parking!

Signed, Byron the Bicyclist

Dear Byron the Bicyclist;

Wow, thanks. I couldn’t imagine bicycling in any big city. Maaaaybe Williams Lake?

Signed; Maddie and Patty

Bert Groenenberg is a cyclist and pedestrian who has mainly biked or walked to work on Oliver Street for 30 years.

Read more: COLUMN: Sharing the Cariboo roads

Read more: Cataline students pilot first ‘bike bus’ in Williams Lake



ruth.lloyd@wltribune.com

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