Re: “Trail system a gem worth polishing,” comment, July 20.
I could not agree more with Tom Lester’s accolades for the region’s multi-user trail system. However, he missed one critical issue: The current requirement that both pedestrians and cyclists keep to the right when using the trails.
Ten years ago, this rule seemed to work because few cyclists used the trail. Nowadays, as Lester points out, the trails have effectively become highways. We wouldn’t think of walking on the right-hand side of regular roads without sidewalks — it is just too dangerous.
Having been clipped a couple of times in the recent past by cyclists as they pass me as I walk on a regional trail, I’ve taken to walking facing the oncoming traffic. For everyone’s safety, this should be a requirement for pedestrians on all dual-usage trails in the region.
For safety’s sake, it’s time that the Capital Regional District recognized that times have changed.
Adrian Kershaw
Sidney
