Thanks for this Michel, After writing and rereading the following thoughts about this incident, I thought it was worth copying the reply to OBC president Avery Burdett, the OBC newslist, and to our newsletter editor. I don't pretend to speak for the club; we have a diversity of views. Sometimes others agree with me, sometimes not. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Michel Dallaire Gatineau Park Michel, Thanks for passing this message on to me. I know it is not entirely relevant to the complaint but has to be noted that the Tuesday night group has very few, if any, OBC members. It is a regular ride which is usually attended by racers only, representing most of the clubs in the area as well as independents. Although the club would like to improve the riding of these groups, we have no influence whatever on them aside from any good example we might set. The issue of courtesy and safety remains important however, and the question is how can we ensure that cyclists show respect for other road users and obey laws which make the roads safe for all to use. I'm all in favour of more ticketing of riders - for moving violations. Too often, any law enforcement which is applied to cyclists targets meaningless offences like "no bell". Of course there are obvious problems in enforcing traffic laws with a group (especially a large group) of riders where it's sometimes impossible to tell who exactly is at fault. The "swarming" behaviour described is regrettable and not uncommon among a variety of types of cycling groups. My observation is that it results partly from ignorance - the riders have simply never thought about the impact on the swarmee. For the most part, no one has ever pointed it out to them, either. It is also understandable in a more forgiving way when you remember that a peleton is not a single vehicle but a group of individuals. None of these individuals thinks he/she is causing a hazard for the frightened pedestrian, skier, motorist. I do have a question: if the skiers are slow-moving enough to be passed by cyclists, why are they not proceeding in the direction of oncoming traffic, as pedestrians are supposed to do? Cyclists are usually the complainants when it comes to dangerous passing. I have attended these rides and I know that, on most nights, the riders try to be aware of vehicles coming from behind and to single up to allow safe passage. Part of the problem here is that they come upon the skiers quite quickly. The pack in this incident is described as being 6 abreast and 12-14 deep. That is 70+ riders and more than I have ever seen on one of these rides. It is possible that the cyclists spread out in the confusion of passing the unexpected skiers. Another question I have to ask is how two cyclists could have gotten by on the right? As slowly moving "vehicles", the skiers are presumably keeping as close as possible to the right - consequently there would be no room to pass on that side. My experience is that these cyclists are not malicious and that part of the solution to the problem is better communication. Not the communication that goes on at the moment of the episode - I mean getting the message out about the problem. I'm not saying that's easy, only that most communication of this kind is only successful if it's two-way. Bob Hicks Racing Events Director Ottawa Bicycle Club ----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, July 06, 2001 12:52 PM Subject: FW: Peleton Riders & Safety Warning > Hello Bob: > Please read messege below. > F.Y.I., Cross-Country Canada, through local ski clubs, have negociated an > agreement with the NCC re: use of Parkways for roller-skiing during the > "no-snow" season. > Even though this agreement does not allow these skiers an exclusive right to > use the Parkways, they have at least the right to use these facilities in a > safe; legal and approved manner. > Skiers are moving at a different pace that cyclists so a bit of respect is > required to facilitate the use of these facilities by both groups. > Until this fall, skiers will be training on the "North loop" (P8-P9) from > 6PM to 8:30PM every Tuesdays and Thursdays. > Could you please pass this info to appropriate OBC leaders. > We're all in the Park for the enjoyment, not to be frustrated by other > users. > By the way, i should remind you that, according to NCC regulations, cyclists > should ride single file, otherwise they can be ticketed. > Many thanks. > Michel. > > -----Original Message----- > From: Linda Landry [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2001 7:32 AM > To: Jim Mccarthy > Cc: Dallaire, Michel > Subject: Peleton Riders & Safety Warning > > > Jim, > On Tuesday night a very large peleton of (I believe) OBC Riders passed > rollerskiers in a dangerous manner. I have noted that in the past peletons > do not provide warning or direction to unassuming "pedestrian - skier" about > passing at high speeds. On Tuesday the group acted irresponsibly with > rollerskiers, for example: another rollerskier and myself (considered slower > traffic) were passed by the peleton - 2 cyclists on the right and 4 on the > left - 6 abreast or in a row. They were about 12-14 deep and I consider the > situation extremely dangerous for everyone considering the speed the peleton > was travelling. I was not the only person passed in an unruly fashion. > > Despite the good intentions of the lead riders (warning & direction of the > peleton) it was a frightening and dangerous experience for everyone > involved. > > Recommendation: Since this is not the first unsafe encounter, I would like > the OBC advised of the unpredictable manner their peleton conducts itself > and that future use of the North Loop be avoided. Peletons can turn left > unto Meech Lake Road and pickup the Parkway at Dunlop Road as vehicle > traffic follows. > > Because of the nature of a peleton (a large group of riders who are suppose > to behave as a single rider for the purpose of energy efficiency) it is > unpredictable because of the varying levels of experience in the collective. > A peleton is also an organized ride within a cycling club. > > I trust that this will be a positive step for Parkway users and peleton > riders. > Linda > > > > Linda Hewitt-Landry > Landry and Associates > 8 ch. Valleyview > Chelsea, QC J9B 2N5 > (819) 827-7678 h/w > (819) 827-0918 fax > ------ To unsubscribe, send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Club Office: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web/mailing list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb Newsletter: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb/Newsletter ==^================================================================ EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aVxiDo.a2i8p1 Or send an email To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This email was sent to: [email protected] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
