Dear Editor,
As one of the commercially licensed drivers in this town I would like the opportunity to speak regarding cyclists and using the crosswalks properly.
Being in a commercial vehicle upwards of 80ft long, I have a lot of blind spots.
Having cyclists zig zag through pedestrians and then rids across the crosswalk makes for limited reaction time on my part.
Yes, pedestrians have the right of way.
But cyclists are a hybrid where they need to abide by traffic regulations but have the freedom to use a sidewalk.
However, a crosswalk is intended to walk across - not ride across.
Want to ride your bike on the street? That's perfectly fine by me, because I can see you.
But do so in a legal fashion.
Patricia street one-way traffic for example.
If you pop out of a back alley and rip across the crosswalk, not only are you putting yourself in extreme harm's way, but you are breaking traffic regulations - and it seems that both police and the community have turned a blind eye to this.
I am writing you this for the sake of safety and giving cyclists an opportunity to understand the severity of such a simple traffic law.
It is to protect the cyclist.
I gladly stop for pedestrians and do so every time.
Either follow the pedestrians rules or the traffic rules - but you can't pick what's most convenient in the moment. It gets people injured.
As you can see, I'm quite concerned about this.
My question is: What can the community do to help cyclists follow the rules? I'm thinking about the tourists that don鈥檛 know our traffic act. How can we prevent this? And make commuters鈥� drive/ride safer and more enjoyable?
Martin Schoorl
Jasper
A critical reminder
Dear Editor,
I have been emphatically reminded what an invaluable and critical service Parks Canada provides through its Public Safety Branch.
I have also been reminded that the bush is a big and lonely place when things go wrong.
On a recent family trip to the South Boundary of Jasper an unexpected medical emergency arose that no one on the trip was equipped to deal with.
The helplessness of seeing a sibling in such distress, and knowing it is still a long two day ride back to the trail head, is paralyzing.
It was Gunner's preparedness and the efficiency and professionalism of the Public Safety Branch that pulled our family from a deep, dark pit.
The rescue team flew my sister to the Jasper Hospital where the nurses and doctors stabilized her before moving her onto Edmonton for final treatment.
Please know this story would probably have ended horribly if not for the timely response Jasper's Public Safety Branch and the medical professionals who work at our hospital.
For the family involved this was not just another rescue but an event the size of a mountain. Thanks so much to those involved and we will never forget what everyone has done for us.
The Klettls
Jasper
