Congratulations, Prince George is the least bicycle friendly city that I have cycled in. I have worked as a bicycle messenger, commuted year round in Northern Ontario, and cycled in many cities throughout North America and Europe, so I feel as though I have some perspective.
The latest incident in Prince George involved an extremely irate man telling me, by yelling, that I was not to be cycling on the road we were supposedly "sharing."
This all happened a block away from a road sign at Hwy. 97 and 5th Ave. that clearly shows a car and a cyclist happily side by side and reminds citizens to share the road. This incident reflects a major problem on Prince George roads; motorists generally do not give cyclists enough room when passing.
Cyclists are to ride as close to the right of the roadway as practical, avoiding hazards in a way as to keep moving in a straight path. Given that hazards are: sewer grates, pieces of vehicles, piles of gravel and massive cracks, having to cycle up to a metre away from the curb to maintain a straight path is not unreasonable. Also, when bicycle lanes are being used as premium parking spaces, cyclists are going to have to occupy some of the remaining space.
As a cyclist, I am constantly reminded that I must respect the rules of the road if I want to have the right to share roadways with motor vehicles. I respect the rules. I ask motorists that they respect cyclists more by taking deeper breaths, slowing down a bit and remembering that, when necessary, the time required to shoulder-check, signal, and pass will only amount to seconds.
Mark Balogh, UNBC student
