My latest blog on bad Burnaby drivers used the word “clowns” to describe two people doing terrible things in a local mall garage.
That word managed to trigger a few drivers who whined in emails or Facebook posts about how I need to be more “polite” in my headlines and posts. I have received a few similar messages throughout the year for using words like “monster,” “jerk,” “entitled jerk,” “idiot,” and “goof” to describe drivers doing such things as pulling illegal U-turns or excessive speeding. (I haven't used "bozo" yet, but it's coming.)
Sorry, but I refuse to be polite when it comes to drivers who put other people’s lives at risk.
And that’s the point of my blogs this year. I’m angry that people like Burnaby cyclist Charles Masala have been killed on our local roads by reckless drivers.
I’m so angry that I would prefer to put expletives in the headlines for blogs about terrible drivers killing people. Believe me when I say that “jerk” is the polite version.
More than 100,000 people read my traffic blogs in 2019. I’ve received generally positive feedback about this attempt to raise awareness about bad driving and the need to pressure governments on all level to toughen up regulations, boost enforcement and improve infrastructure.
For one thing, Burnaby needs to get things in gear to add more protected bike lanes. Sure, it’s going to cost a lot of money, but Burnaby can afford it and people’s lives are worth it. Also, if we’re serious about tackling climate change, we need to provide safe ways to encourage people to cycle.
It’s the danger to cyclists that has generally kept me from taking to the streets on a bike.
So, no, I’m not going to be polite about these issues. I’m going to keep attacking to get more people to listen. I’m going to call bad behaviour what it really is – a danger to us all.
If you’re more upset by language than you are about people dying on our roads due to reckless behaviour, then that’s your problem, not mine.
Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.
