Response to the Chief
By Biking, Beer and Toast
Chief Johnson,
Firstly, let me thank you for taking time to respond to my letter. You have solidified my respect for you and your position. Also, I'm very glad that as a fellow cyclist you've got my sympathies at heart.
I cannot disagree with any of the details you've thoughtfully described in your response. I am glad that BC Police are withholding blame until this crash is fully investigated. I apologize for basing my criticisms on preliminary media information.
I can't help but wonder how this tragic crash plays out in the context of the recent campaign to help prevent future bike/ped deaths by educating those most vulnerable- the bicyclists and pedestrians. I do acknowledge that they may indeed be at fault sometimes, but to focus on increasing the lawfulness of those most at risk seems like we're ignoring the far more critical problem- the drivers' responsibility.
I don't know about you, but when the BC Police ask me to ride my bicycle more lawfully it really doesn't make me feel more protected from injury and death.
When you or I or any other well-intentioned driver injures a cyclist we carry responsibility regardless of fault. "I didn't see them" or "I couldn't stop in time" is not a valid excuse. When I ride on multi-use paths I carry the responsibility of not injuring pedestrians whether they are walking lawfully or not. Why? Because I am the more dangerous vehicle. And, what if they are walking erratically or are partly obscured by the terrain? I must slow down, give the widest berth possible and become extra vigilant. It is my responsibility to do so merely because the pedestrian is more vulnerable. Obvious to me, is that those operating 4,000 pound vehicles moving at 2-3 times bicycle speeds have the same responsibilities to bicyclists and pedestrians. Indeed, they have a greater responsibility because the risk of deadly injury is so much greater. It's a common rule of respect- protect the vulnerable. Why are we not harshly reminding drivers of this at every possible occasion? There is no surprise here- bicyclists and pedestrians are on our roads and they are us.
When you and I and the BC Police have done everything in our power to remind drivers of this, then and only then can we remind pedestrians how to walk safely.
Safe riding. http://bikingbeerandtoast.blogspot.com/2010/05/my-response-to-chief.html
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