To the editor:
Re: "City installs two air pumps on Adanac, Ontario bike routes," March 13.
One can't help but question the wisdom of the city for installing air pumps for cyclists.
After collecting data on the number of cyclists passing by, the city decided to install air pumps for those in need of extra air, as cyclists would not know they might need extra air at the start of their journey. Instead of using the manual pump everyone should have, we now have air pumps. No one knows why in this particular location cyclists get low on air, or have a flat tire, but we trust city fathers know best.
What we know for sure and without expensive data collection is that most cyclists carry a water bottle, most likely for a reason greater than an air pump. So it stands to reason to spend money on something that everyone can benefit from, perhaps water fountains instead.
In this day and time, water and availability of public toilets for residents and tourists alike seems to be low on the city's priority list, but air pumps for a chosen few are more important.
George Vytasek, Vancouver
