This story certainly highlights the attitudes that Newfoundlanders have towards cyclist on the roads and I would also like to add walkers and joggers to the list. I think it goes beyond drivers though and is actually entrenched into peoples psyche and that of all levels of government. How else could you explain the lack of bike paths and the ridiculously small shoulders on our roads?
In Torbay for instance I have noticed when riding my bike on Bauline Line that there is no shoulder on the paved area of the road and as soon as you drive of the edge of the pavement you are taking your life into your hands, you could just as easily hit something to shoot you into the ditch or right into the oncoming traffic. How can I really feel safe taking my 8 and 5 years olds for a bike ride when the conditions and more importantly the attitudes of drivers are that risky? This is not just a Torbay or St john's problem this is something that is province wide and it is time that we started to move into the 21st century as it related all users of our streets. I remember as a kid in Torbay getting yelled at and horns blowing just for being on the road with my bike; "get off the road or I'll kick your arse"; how many times did I hear that on Indian Meal Line? The amount of traffic in those days was nothing compared to what it is now considering we used to play street hockey on Indian Meal Line, just try doing that now.
Considering that Newfoundland and Labrador has the most unhealthy people in Canada, according to multiple studies, we should be encouraging people to bike and walk more. We have the highest level of obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and other lifestyle related illnesses in the country. We have the lowest level of consumption of fruits and vegetables which contributes to those problems but we are also way down the list for spending leisure time participating in active pursuits, basically exercising. We need to address these issues and encourage people to get outside and we need to pressure governments to provide us with the tools necessary to have a fighting chance. One of those things is making sure we have a safe environment to participate in these activities. We should be demanding that the government make it mandatory that when a road is paved extra wide shoulders be added so they can be used as a bike lane or walking path for people who like to park their cars once in a while.
While more people are taking to the streets to walk and bike then ever before, many people are intimidated by drivers on the road and by the conditions facing them as they try and navigate the narrow shoulders and limited space to walk or bike. People need to change their attitudes and drivers need to be more aware of who is on the road at any given moment. People who are walking and biking have as much right to be on the road as a vehicle and should be given a wide berth to ensure their safety. I don't expect there to be some grand transformation in peoples attitudes towards who should and shouldn't be on the road but we need to start somewhere.
If we do one thing, we need to stop blowing our horns at bikers and walkers, we could actually cause them to have an accident and get seriously injured. When my kids are riding their bikes with me on the road they are nervous enough as it is, adding blaring horns to the mix could make them panic and lose control and inadvertently ride in front of a car. If this ever happens you can be rest assured that the driver of the car will be responsible and nothing you can say will ever change that fact so please be careful for everyones sake.