Anna Smith’s letter (“Rethink changes on 34th Street,” Our Readers’ Views, Dec. 5) reveals her automobile-centric arrogance in opposing the city of Vancouver’s plan to prioritize pedestrian and bicyclist safety. Ms. Smith seems to believe that bicyclists like me are to be relegated to sidewalks and compete with pedestrians, or detour a mile out of my way in order to ride on Southeast 20th Street’s bike lanes. In other words, inconvenience and endanger bicyclists but don’t ask motorists to slow down.
Anecdotally, bike lanes are not a guarantee of bicycle safety. I was “doored” while riding my bike along McGillivray Boulevard in the bike lane. The end result was two pelvic fractures and a concussion — both potentially life-altering injuries for a senior citizen like me.
Ms. Smith bemoans her perception of east Vancouver’s declining livability owing to the land-use mix. However, as a former planning technician I would contend that projects such as 34th Street are a step toward preparing east Vancouver for a future where automobiles are not the dominant mode of transportation.
