Better idea for bike lane

There have been many letters lately in various media regarding the Penticton bike lane.

While I reside in Naramata, I frequent Penticton and, honestly, in the past few months have only seen one person in the bike lane.

I was wondering if there have been any counts' done to see how viable these bike lanes are, as to how many actually use the bike lane on a regular basis.

I have read articles relating to the Vancouver Parks Board's recent vote to eliminate the current bike lanes in Stanley Park. It was almost a unanimous vote—except for one person. The Tea House (restaurant in the park) will continue to lose business due to access and lack of parking.

Roads like Atkinson Street in Penticton, with bike lanes on both sides of the road, have reduced the vehicle traffic lanes to very narrow lanes, and I can see more auto accidents happening on such a narrow street now. Roads should be safe.

I think the best idea for cyclists would have been lake to lake along the channel, away from the main businesses in the downtown core and away from residential streets. (It would be) a straight, paved lane each direction dedicated to cyclists and still allow downtown businesses to have parking close by to their stores, as well as additional residential parking.

Now there is reduced access to businesses for seniors, those in wheelchairs and people with disabilities. Local businesses have been hurt by eliminating parking and for those living on residential streets. And now the city, government and taxpayers are spending an immense amount of money to pay for all these different lanes throughout the entire city.

Cyclists and heavy vehicle traffic sharing busy main streets or residential corridors is like putting turtles in with stampeding elephants.

Drive safe.

Barbara Smallwood, Naramata