Editor,
Residents of Brackendale were delighted when Government Road was finally reopened.
Cyclists were also pleased to note that (with the exception of a short distance alongside the Eagle Run shopping plaza), the northbound cycle path from the downtown core is now almost completed.
However, an important safety hazard remains. This is in the vicinity of Spiral Court.
In order to accommodate a left turn lane, the existing lane markings require northbound cars and trucks to deviate several feet to the right at this corner.
Thus, the northbound cycle lane suddenly disappears without warning. Given the proximity of this corner to the Mamquam School and sports fields, this piece of highway engineering seems a fatal accident waiting to happen.
Many will wonder if this danger could not have been obviated by the simple expedient of spreading an additional 10 sq ft. of paving over the shoulder of the road in this region.
There are two other sites on Government Road that still need some corrective work - the corner of Mamquam Road and adjacent to the Shady Tree.
In each of these places, the cycle lane is almost obliterated by a curb that needs some adjustment.
I trust that the district will address these several issues before a fatality occurs.
Roy Shephard
Brackendale
