Motorists reacting to unsafe cyclists

Editor:

Councillor Paterson states that he has made every effort to engage the public on the issues of traffic calming. I live in the village and neither myself nor my neighbours have heard from the councillor. His interests are confined to a small group of supporters. It is time that these councillors realize that they are elected to voice the views of the entire community and not personal views or the desires of the minority lobbyists.

Councillor Paterson makes statements such as one where he states that reducing the speed on Fairgrounds road is needed to make it safe, it is too expensive to widen or flatten the road he claims… How ridiculous is that!

Firstly the safety issues are of his own creation, and secondly, many roads have been deemed unsafe for bicycles so why not take the least impactful approach and prohibit bicycles on these routes in the interest of safety. The main issue I find on Fairgrounds Road is when cresting a hill, all of a sudden there are bicycles four abreast in the middle of the road forcing me to slow and then go around them, how many of you are nodding in agreement just now? Reducing the speed limit will not change this!

Motorists are not creating an unsafe condition, they are simply reacting to unsafe bicyclists who do not obey the rules of the road. So council’s solution is to restrict my movements?

I will be voting in the next election and I encourage everyone to get out and vote. Stop restricting our movements to appease a dozen or so individuals who don’t want to ride single file along the edge of the road as they should, elect councillors that represent the community and not the lobbyists.

Don Laverdure,

Creemore.