The Struggle Between 6 Wheels and One Traffic Lane

Vancouver journalists must love writing about the ongoing feuds and mutual resentments between the city's cyclists and motorists, because once again the issue has been in the limelight of the media all summer. So far we've survived 3 critical masses, allocated a cycling lane over the Burrard St. Bridge and endlessly debated the merit of a shared roadway. The pedal heads have once again gained momentum for their cause, but as always the drivers are 3 lights ahead, counter attacking the issue and standing up for their right as the dominant and therefore most important method of transportation on our city roads.

And why shouldn't they? Over 3 quarters of Metro Vancouverites rely upon a vehicle to get around, they have an incredible influence on the economy (for better or for worse), and is usually the fastest and most convenient way to get around. And lets not forget what most commuter cyclists and most environmentalist usually do not grasp: Some people NEED to drive. We'd all love to live closer to work or the store so that we could bike or walk, but since a growing proportion of affordable homes are being built at the other end of the highway, I'd argue that these people have no other choice but to drive. From real estate agents to soccer moms, some of us were born to be behind the wheel.

But as for the cyclist's themselves, they have been busy reaping in the many luxuries the city has given them this summer:

-In May BCAA introduced North America's first Bike Assist Program, offering complete roadside assistance for commuter cyclists.

-In July the city begun its bike lane reallocation trial on the Burrard Street Bridge, closing the east side sidewalk and southbound curb traffic lane, opening it exclusively for bicycles.

- In August, the North Arm Bridge built for the Canada Line Skytrain features a bike and pedestrian path below the tracks, offering a safe journey into Richmond and Vancouver without any interference from traffic. Even cyclists want to hop aboard the Canada Line, each train is equipped with 2 spots for bikes.

Despite this progress, Vancouver's cyclists insist to demand more attention from the public with by staging the Critical Mass on the last friday of every month. With a "more sustainable than thou" mentality, thousands of cyclists parade through busy downtown streets disrupting traffic all in an effort to promote environmental conscience commuting and cyclist's rights. While this may fun for cyclists who get to take over the streets for an afternoon and revel in the media's attention, its hell for everyone else. It is selfish, unwelcome, and entirely unneeded in this city especially since the city has recently made enormous strides to accommodate cyclists in every aspect of their commute.

But perhaps we all need to know our place. To the drivers: Just realize that the times are once again changing as societies, governments and urban planners are learning to free up some space on the road to cyclists. But to the cyclists (especially the ones in Vancouver): You've been given SO much in the past year - don't take it for granted, and remember that this a process, not a goal.