Entitled. Rude. Disrespectful.
Just a few of the words – at least printable words – that have been used on social media to describe a confrontation between a cyclist and a farmer on the dike trail.
As reported by the Optimist in its July 21st edition, farmer Brent Kelly, who, along with other Delta farmers, use the dike trail several times a day to move heavy equipment from one part of their farm operation to the other.
Most of the time there is no trouble – except for that recent Sunday, when Kelly was stalled in his tracks for an extended amount of time as a cyclist refused to move. The cyclist took out his cell phone and proceeded to make a long call all while blocking the trail.
Other farmers behind Kelly were all inconvenienced by this delay.
I’m curious why this cyclist made this decision to block this trail? Why he chose to exhibit such terrible behaviour and why he has now set off a firestorm of reaction on social media that is also throwing the whole cycling community under the bus?
Kelly was quick to point out in our story that the vast majority of people give them the right of way, but here we have one bad apple that has spoiled the bunch.
Delta is a long-standing farming community. It was built on the backs of farmers. Farming is a time sensitive business and when farm vehicles need to get through, we all need to get out of the way and let them pass.
A five second move by this cyclist lets the farm equipment get through and he can then go about his day. No harm, no foul.
Instead, this has turned into a heated war of words on social media and a really bad look for the cycling community.
