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LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Bike lanes benefit everyone, in a way

Cycle infrastructure makes roads safer and lowers a city’s carbon footprint, says letter writer
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A bike lane on Nanaimo’s Estevan Road. (News Bulletin photo)

To the editor,

Re: City shortens planned Albert Street bike lanes, Dec. 1.

I’d like to express my appreciation for the city councillors and staff who have been working to create bicycle lanes in Nanaimo. As time goes by, it becomes increasingly obvious that our political priorities, even at the municipal level, must progress regarding transportation decisions and their climate and environmental impacts.

This is clearly the era to encourage walking and cycling over driving around in cars and trucks. Yes, bicycle lanes cost money, but far less money than ample free parking and road creation and maintenance.

Creating decent bicycle lanes does not only “accommodate the one per cent,” but indeed accommodates 100 per cent of humanity (let alone other living things) by making our roads safer and less polluting, lowering our carbon footprint, and reducing noise, among other benefits.

It is difficult to believe, in this time of climate crisis and its obviously disastrous consequences, that our leaders are actually putting free street parking ahead of bicycle lanes. Thank goodness for those in key decision-making positions who stand for wise progress, and may the others come on board soon.

Graham Shuley, Nanaimo

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Readers weigh in on Front Street bike lane proposal


The views and opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the writer and do not reflect the views of Black Press or the Nanaimo News Bulletin.

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