Editor:
I wish to comment on Reg Armstrong's letter about the use of the bike lanes along Redrooffs Road (Coast Reporter, Aug. 6).
I bike along Redrooffs usually at least twice a week riding a road bike. Most of the time I ride the road and avoid the bike paths for the following reasons:
First, there is no bike lane for large sections of the road. Where there is a bike lane, there are a number of hazards and blockages that prevent or impair its use.
These include sections covered with droppings from overhanging trees; a number of areas have loose gravel spilling out from driveways, a serious hazard for road bikes with narrow tires; some of the intersections of driveways with the bike lane have large cracks in the running surface, which are best avoided; one driveway has water diversion bumpers that are an invitation to a flat tire, not to mention a nasty shock to an unsuspecting rider; numerous times I have encountered vehicles parked on the bike lane requiring a diversion onto the road; and there are, of course, walkers who also have use of the lane since it is multi-use.
For me, all things considered, I prefer to ride the road and avoid the obstacles noted above, especially when riding at moderate to high speed. Incidentally, bike riders will also encounter many of the same issues riding on Highway 101.
Tom Pinfold
Sechelt
