Dear editor,
As spring emerges and bulbs reveal their vibrant colours, so too does the road biking/bike-commuter season get into swing. The past three days of riding I鈥檝e had two near-misses from cars cutting close to my bike as I鈥檝e been riding throughout the Comox Valley. I am a medical doctor in Comox with approximately 1,000 patients as well as hospital practice. I know of at least seven doctors who bike commute to work; there are no doubt many more, as well as nurses and support staff.
Please consider what you risk for our community when you fail to drive safely with bikers.
I would strongly encourage you to consider a few tips while driving:
鈥� give bikes at least half a car鈥檚 space while passing (or consider waiting until oncoming traffic is clear and passing as you would another single occupancy vehicle);
鈥� If you do not understand a biker鈥檚 hand signal, then give them space until their next move is clear;
鈥� Recognize that curbs and 鈥榖ike lanes鈥� frequently have debris/glass/rocks that require the biker to ride in the main traffic lane.
The World Health Organization has recently recognized climate change as the greatest threat to human health globally - please do not make our efforts on climate action any more difficult - help us care for our patients by caring for the bikers on Comox Valley roads.
Alexander Nataros,
Comox
Do you have an opinion you鈥檇 like to share? Email letters@comoxvalleyrecord.com
