Cyclists considered ahead of our farmers

DEAR EDITOR:

Two days ago, we noticed a “No Parking” sign near the farm gate to our orchard on the Evans loop. We have farmed here for 17 years, and have always parked our vehicles near the farm gate, off the paved road.

The rationale for this, we were told, is that bicycle users who use the KVR trail do not have a line of sight to oncoming traffic.

There are stop signs on both sides of the trail and the lined (black and white) crossing, which bicycles and off-the-road vehicles are supposed to obey. Cyclists are often travelling a high speed — as we have often noted — and never stop. This would preclude any need for line of sight as suggested.

Our farm staff have the right to park near the farm entrance. The apple bins are left there, so that the tractor can easily pick them up and move them. Apple co-ooperative workers need easy access to the apple bins for pick up.

I remind mayor and council, this is an agricultural area and agricultural land.

We pay the City a fee for use of the easement noting again the rights of farmers and farm workers to be able to carry out their jobs. It seems the bicycle users requests are being enforced, however the rights of the farmers and, even rules of the road, can be dismissed.

Lower down the trail at the Randolph draw bridge, signs clearly post that bicycle users and horseback riders must dismount before crossing. Rarely have we seen this occur. Perhaps the bylaw people could spend a day there and easily increase the city’s coffers with tickets.

In good faith, the farming community could at least have been consulted about this idea beforehand and the rationale could have been explained, why this is not a good idea in the first place.