To John, re: Rants June 6, you make a good point. But, as there are ALWAYS going to be injuries whether were cycling, driving or walking. My point was simply that if Green Gregor wants to see cycling increasing as fast in Vancouver as it does in other cities, bike lanes arent going to do it on their own. Cycling will become safer as bike use rises and car use drops. However, while the compulsory helmet law is in place and makes cycling out to be a life-threatening activity, those who dont want to wear helmets wont cycle and that breakthrough simply wont happen. Please dont take my word for it read up on the worlds leading urban mobility experts and ask yourself why a) Green Gregor thinks he knows better than them and b) cycling is proliferating inall the cities whichare free of this lame law.
Roger
Dear John, As a helmet-wearing cyclist, the sooner we get all the vehicles off the road, the sooner it will be better for everyone. Using your logic, as a cyclist, can I opt out of a percentage of my health care for the enormous medical costs for car-bound suburbanites who suffer from diabetes? By riding a bicycle, I am doing something good for myself, the environment, millions of plants and animals, marginally reducing the oil empires ability to wage war, the future of the planet for all those kids stuck in the back seat, and having a great time doing it.My 12-year-old brother was killed by a car while he waited for a bus on the side walk. I know the risk I take, and it offends me beyond words how callous the vast majority of auto mobile drivers can be in feeling so convinced that theirs is a right and not a privilege. I hear the joke every few days about how many points you get for hitting a pedestrian or cyclist. Would the joke be so funny if you got points for shooting someone? Your vehicle is a weapon. My bike is the dove. Please, relax a little.
Sincerely, Tyler
The only thing stupider than a driver playing with his cellphone or Twitter machine while theyre driving is a cyclist. Yes, this morning, as Im coming home from work on my bicycle, the rider ahead of me was busy talking on her cellphone. Excuse me, youre in the middle of a downtown area. Why dont you pay attention to what youre doing before you go ass over teakettle and end up at GF Strong. If youre a driver or a walker or a bicycler, put your electronic gizmos aside and pay attention to where you are. Death is right around the corner if youre not paying attention.
Anonymous
In Councillor Raymond Louis response to the Vancouver Suns exposé on City overspending, he ridicules the criticism, combating the CFIBs report with What does the CFIB want us to cut? then bleats on, suggesting cutting various essential services. What? Did you not understand? This current administration just doesnt get it: its the completely unnecessary, and poorly planned, pet projects that millions are constantly being spent on in this city while existing infrastructure suffers. Enough bullying the criticism with irrelevant projecting, Mr. Louie. Give us the confidence in a fiscally prudent local government.
Paul Richards
