There’s no such thing as a bad cyclist.

 

There’s also no such thing as a bad pickup truck driver, nor a bad motorcyclist, nor a bad minivan driver etc.  The bicycle, truck, motorbike or minivan didn’t make a bad move in traffic, the person did.  Blaming the mode of transportation for making a poor decision makes about as much sense as blaming trees for a forest fire.

 

The level of aggression towards cyclists in the Comox Valley is alarmingly high.  I have cycled in major cities all over North America and overseas and the Comox Valley is amongst the least safe I’ve ever felt on a bicycle in traffic, largely due to the narrow high speed roads that connect our communities and neighbourhoods.

 

But let’s look at this from factual statistics, not just my opinion.  Over the past three years there have been at least three cyclists killed in motor vehicle accidents in the Comox Valley, so we are averaging one death per year.  According to the CAA, an average of 73 cyclists are killed every year in Canada.  The population of Canada is approximately 41 million people and the population of the Comox Valley is approximately 77,000 people.  That means the Comox Valley is roughly 0.2% of the population of Canada yet we account for nearly 1.4 per cent (1/73rd) of the cyclist deaths in Canada..  You are 7 times more likely to be killed on a bicycle in the Comox Valley than the Canadian national average.

 

In the fall of 2024, I requested a meeting with Mayor Bob Wells to address my concerns of cycling safety in the valley which he gladly accepted.  We began to have a good chat before the City Manager joined us late, took over the conversation and proceeded to tell me that the local government is doing a wonderful job at improving cycling infrastructure and safety.  I left without my questions answered nor my recommendations heard.   

 

So I appeal to the community at large to be reminded that not only as a driver, cyclist, or pedestrian we all have a legal obligation to ensure the safety of those we share the road with as well as a moral obligation as humans and neighbours to let our families and friends get home safely.

Brian Chapman

Comox Valley