Dear Editor,
Re: “Cyclist killed in head-on,” News, Nov. 9
What an unfortunate and senseless tragedy last Sunday morning.
Too often, bad things happen to good and innocent people. I call this a tragedy and not an accident, because through traffic enforcement neglect, this has been years in the making.
Residents will remember when Const. Jimmy Ng was also senselessly killed on duty in 2002 by street racers.
At the time, the RCMP requested and received from the City of Richmond a large amount of new speed enforcement equipment to combat speeding.
Since then, traffic enforcement in Richmond has slowly deteriorated to become sporadic at best.
Many drive without fear of enforcement; street racing may be down, but general speeding, texting and ignoring of traffic rules are rampant, especially on main roads. Anywhere else that I drive (Vancouver, Calgary, Seattle), I am keenly aware of the presence of traffic enforcement. Visibly seeing speed traps and cars pulled over on a daily basis is the best incentive to obey all traffic laws.
I own several bikes myself and refuse to ride on any arterial roads. Unfortunately, Sunday’s tragic event only reinforces this position.
R. James
Richmond
