Dear Editor,
As a resident in the Steveston area, I have noticed many near misses between cyclists and pedestrians on the sidewalk because more and more cyclists choose to ride on the sidewalks which are sometimes narrow.
While it is perfectly acceptable to ride bikes on the boardwalk, it is unsafe to do so on the sidewalks.
The Steveston village area has seniors, toddlers, and small dogs that take their daily walks. There are, in fact, six senior homes in the Steveston village area.
These cyclists somehow feel they can go on the sidewalks when they please and when they want to avoid waiting for the traffic light.
Some zoom through stop signs. It is perplexing and difficult to predict if they would zoom through intersections.
Pedestrians often have to yield to cyclists on the sidewalk out of fear of being struck.
What is appalling is having witnessed a group of adolescents nearly knocking over a senior in a walker. With no remorse, they laughed and continued their way.
We have a culture that reflects selfishness and little to no social responsibility, and I hope some cyclists consider taking the road instead of sidewalk, especially as traffic is usually not busy in this area.
Cyclists should not misuse both roads and sidewalks, which are shared public spaces.
Parents, please stop teaching your kids how to ride a bike on the sidewalks. Take them to a park or the boardwalk.
Toa Cheung
RICHMOND
