In 2003, we emigrated from Kamloops in Canada to the Peoples’ Republic of Vancouver Island. We quickly settled in to life in Sidney and started walking with a group of people who were to become strong and lasting friends of ours.
We would walk once a week all across the Greater Victoria area and particularly enjoyed walking along the Lochside and Galloping Goose Trails.
But, alas, we make little use of those two trails nowadays because they have become dangerous places for walkers. And that’s down to the vast increase in bicycle traffic over the past few years.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not whining about the increased bicycle traffic for, indeed, I’m all in favour of more people using bicycles rather than cars — on both roads and appropriate trails.
What I am against, however, is the Capital Regional District’s reluctance to recognize that these trails (and the one around the airport) have essentially become highways, highways that present increasing dangers to pedestrians.
When I was a little lad (too many decades ago to think about) I was taught to always walk facing the oncoming traffic when I was on a road or lane that didn’t have a sidewalk; that way I could step aside if there was a vehicle coming toward me.
It has now become obvious, due to the huge increase in bicycle use on these trails, that that ancient cardinal rule now should apply in spades to the Galloping Goose and Lochside Trails. Yet, the CRD (and local authorities) continue to require walkers and bicyclists to keep to the right.
As bicycle use of these trails over the past 15 years has increased exponentially, I’ve been clipped by passing cyclists three times (with, fortunately, only a sore arm as a result).
Others in our group have also been hit and also have been subjected to invective from passing cyclists as the older walkers had not heard the bell or an “on your left” call.
In addition, because the group could not tell if they were in the way of a bike coming up behind them, we’d often wander over into the other lane or section of one of the trails, further making life difficult for cyclists wanting to pass us.
All this could be avoided if walkers were keeping to the left, facing the oncoming cyclists. We’d be able to see them coming and step to the side of the trail to let them pass us safely.
Nowadays, on the odd occasion I find myself on the Lochside or Galloping Goose Trails with a group or just with my dog, I always keep to the left and face the oncoming cyclists.
Most cyclists acknowledge my stepping aside as they approach — although I have been subjected to tirades from time to time about how I “should be on the other side.”
I recall on one occasion shouting at a particularly rude and nasty passing cyclist that I was doing it for my both own safety and for hers. She stopped and turned around and proceeded to hurl further insults at me, questioning my sanity, my awareness of the world around me and threating to report me to the CRD!
So, Capital Regional District, it’s time to acknowledge that things have changed on these trails and that we need to adjust to the new realities. Let’s have the rules changed so that pedestrians keep to the left and the oncoming cyclists to the right.
Yes, yes, it will require the signs to be changed (and, yes, that will cost taxpayers something). And, yes, there will be a period when both pedestrians and cyclists will have to be educated about the rule change.
But, as a result of this change, all users of these trails will be safer. Sadly, however, I suspect that the CRD will just focus on keeping the current rule and trying to get everyone to stick by that rule — to the detriment of all trail users.
As the saying goes: “Always doing what you’ve always done always gets you what you’ve always got,” which, in this case, means fewer pedestrians on these trails and more danger to those who are brave enough to use them.
So, what about it, CRD?
Adrian Kershaw walks with caution. He lives in Sidney.
