More alert Squamish residents may have noticed several new signs popping up around town over the past week, and local biker and community activist Jim Harvey hopes everyone heeds the sentiments behind the new "Share the Road" signage.
Eight new signs, posted in prime locations from Valleycliffe to Brackendale, are part of an initiative Harvey began after hearing about the experiences of his fellow cyclists around town.
"This was really prompted through stories of friends on bikes having altercations with people in motorized vehicles around town," Harvey said. "In, say, an altercation between an aggressive driver in a big truck and someone on a bike - what do you think happens?"
The problem will only get worse this summer, according to Harvey, as many more cyclists will be out on the road training for the Whistler GranFondo, a mass cycling race on Sept. 11, 2010 that starts in Vancouver and winds its way to the finish line some 120 kilometres later in Whistler.
"It's the first major GranFondo in Canada," he said.
"There are some 4,000 riders who will be riding from Stanley Park to Whistler and with Corsa Cycles as a sponsor of the event, there are a lot of Squamish riders training for the race - including my wife and daughter - so that's going to impact the number of bikers on the local roads this summer."
Harvey said he hopes the new Share the Road signs go some ways toward creating awareness about the rules of the road for both cyclists and motorized vehicles.
"There's an equally shared responsibility between bikers and vehicles to share the road," he said. "And there's an equal right, as well."
Current regulations say a bike has to be treated like a slow-moving vehicle, according to Harvey, and can't be overtaken or passed by motorized vehicles unless it is safe to do so.
"Cars and trucks also have to stay five feet from bikes at all times," he said. "They have every right to the road that a motorized vehicle has."
But he also said bikers sometimes disregard the rules of the road, as well, and they need to learn to be respectful towards cars as well.
"Bikes are not allowed to ride side-by-side on the road, but you do see it often," he said.
"And they should, as much as possible given pot holes and such, hug the shoulder of the road to facilitate passing."
Harvey said in a "bike-centric" town like Squamish, there should be a greater acceptance of bikers on the road.
"Vancouver has taken major strides to do that same sort of thing," he said. "We should have a new attitude about cycling."
Corsa Cycles, Republic Bikes, Squamish Trails Society, Squamish Titans Multi-Sport Society and the Whistler GranFondo donated the $1,000 needed to fund the eight signs.
The District of Squamish provided the posts and paid for the installation.
"The District was very supportive of the project," said Harvey.
Squamish Mayor Greg Gardner said council agreed to fund the signage installation, as the initiative was "consistent with council's ongoing support of alternative transportation needs."
"It's also consistent with other initiatives we've already undertaken," he said. "Initiatives like new bike lanes on Government road, and the Boulevard."
Gardner said there were several reasons to support such projects.
"We're supportive of these initiatives because they reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote a healthy lifestyle," he said.
"In addition, and in regards to the Share the Road program, it makes sure bike users are safer and that automotive users are not in a situation where there are unsafe driving conditions."
