The Great Bike Lane by Abbott & Costello
The bike lane project reminds me of an Abbott-and-Costello monologue. It centers around the idea of a manager not knowing what’s going on.
The baseball team sketch deals with “Who’s on first; What’s on second and I don’t know is on third.” Apparently council has adopted some of these in their thinking re: the bike lane.
For the record, I am not anti-bike. However, the purported cost of at least $8 million seems a bit exorbitant to benefit so few without a direct vote or referendum put forth.
I would venture to guess that there might possibly be 500-600 bikes (plus or minus) in the city and surrounding area. Council probably did not do research to ascertain the bike population. Of this number maybe 100-150 are somewhat occasional riders.
The way that this path is set up is inviting disaster, better yet accidents looking for a place to happen. City councillors are busy patting themselves on the back even before the grand ribbon cutting on Aug.1.
What is the rationale behind this debacle? What surveys were done and when were they done? If they were done, were the results ever published?
I am wondering if consideration was given to following: (keep in mind that I am not anti-bicycle)
• Cyclists do not pay road tax as such
• Cyclists probably don’t have insurance
• Cyclist special interest group, being in a minority, enjoys perks that cars and their drivers don’t get
• Cyclists don’t pay a licensing fee It would seem that the city missed a golden opportunity to interact with Penticton Indian Band to develop the channel pathway. Not only would this be a much safer route, but also lead to beautification of the channel pathway area for far less investment than $8 million.
The whole bike path would seem to be an exercise in subterfuge. Council wanting to look good made the bike path promise to a special interest group so that on completion council could proudly stick out its chest and snap the suspenders. Usually credit is given where credit is due, but what about discredit?
The bike path development; the Trio debacle and the Skaha Marina issue are prime examples that clearly show that council seems to be burying its head in the sand a la proverbial ostrich and is proud of itself and its accomplishments.
With a record like this, where is there any evidence of any pride?
Ron Barillaro Penticton