Collision of Interests

A collision of interests is now taking place,
on our walkways and trailways and city’s own space.
Everyone is entitled, or so they believe,
though the citizens deserve some sort of reprieve.

Those e-bikes and e-scooters that sail through the air,
zip along freely with nary a care.
They push past the strollers with babies that nap,
surging at speeds that can lead to mishap.

There are walkers and runners and dogs out on leashes,
wheelchairs and old folks who love to eat quiches,
and those whose eyesight is partially impaired,
and those carrying canes who need to be spared.

It’s the darting and dodging and jumping we do,
the flinching and wincing and jackrabbits too,
the sidestep, the quickstep as they come into view—
those e-things sneak soundless up out of the blue.

Are they vehicles that belong on the streets as they’re rode,
and will they observe all the rules of the road?
Or are they pedestrians who at any old hour,
travel the trails on their very own power?

An identity crisis is at the root of the clash,
and officials must decide what is what in a flash.
Which rules are for whom and who must abide,
otherwise we are certain to crash and collide.

The province and city should pass regulation,
and put an end to this new agitation.
So resolve it before the spring comes again,
and we can be spared another season of pain.

In the meantime let’s be civil and agree to agree,
with those who own boats and sail on the sea:
those who have power must slow and give way,
to those on their feet as they move through their day.

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