Dear Editor,
Re: “Cyclists need protection,” Letters, Oct. 12.
I’m writing this from my wheelchair as a result of being hit by a distracted driver on July 22. I was biking to Safeway (on No. 2 Road) and was about to turn into the parking lot from the driveway leading to No. 2 Road.
The driver had previously looked in my direction, and I indicated I was proceeding straight through. He then turned his attention to his left. Passing his 12 o’clock, he gunned it, striking my bike on the rear wheel. The result was a broken leg, knee, wrist and shoulder. The driver got out of his car and said he was sorry, he didn’t see me....duh.
Three years ago, a driver tried to squeeze by me in a construction zone above the posted speed. The result was a broken left elbow...he did not stop.
I used to ride on the sidewalk, giving due respect of course, to pedestrians. Last year, I passed four members of the Richmond RCMP Bike squad, also on the sidewalk. They also know better. Mr. Roodnick’s estimate of one per cent of Richmond drivers being “bad” is, I believe, grossly understated.
The writer had three suggestions for improvement. I have one more...stop handing out drivers licences from cereal boxes.
Robert Randall
Richmond
