Bike lane plan causes grief for homeowners

DEAR EDITOR:

We recently received information regarding the bicycle route on the east side of Fairview Road in Penticton.

Even after speaking to someone from the city in person at our house explaining why the bicycle route should not be on the east side, the city has finalized it and it is not going to change.

We explained more than once that we are the only ones who do not have an alley for garbage pickup and we have no other place for guests to park other than in front of our house.

Parking isn’t ample up on Windsor Avenue because the residents and their guests park there. There is no parking around the corner. So, once again what does the city expect us to do?

The city asked for our opinions, but had its mind all made up. How does it make sense to retain parking on the west side?

The residents on that side all have back alleys for their garbage, recycling and yard-waste pickups. It won’t be safe for us to back into our driveway because of a retaining wall on one side and tree and fence on the other.

Also, that means what? We give the right of way to a damn bicyclist? They don’t even abide by riding laws now. You see them everywhere. First they are a bicyclist and when convenient they carry on as if they are a car. I don’t know why the city even bothered asking the public,

So, what are we supposed to do regarding our guests when parking on the west side is full? What are we suppose to do about garbage pickup and not get bitched at by bicyclist that our garbage containers are in their lane? What?

Are we going to get ticketed if the garbage containers aren’t retrieved by a certain time?

We will take the city to court and that is a promise!

So, the city needs to address this now and not with empty promises.

Don’t bother asking the residents of Penticton for opinions or suggestions because you are only going through the motions.

Gilbert and Cindy Courtemanche,

Penticton