Critical Mass a peaceful ride

I rode in Friday's Critical Mass bike ride through the streets of downtown Winnipeg. I'm here to tell you that, despite the generalizations of the police, I did not break a single law, nor did most of the people on the ride. I stopped at red lights, stayed in my lane, didn't ride the wrong way down one-way streets, and stayed off the sidewalks. Basically, I did the same thing I do every day when I ride home from work on those same streets -- only this time I had company.

There were a few surprises in store for me. There were no signs of vigilantes. The people I saw were all very friendly and respectful. Lots of people had a fair bit more grey hair than me and some people brought their kids. One little girl was there wearing butterfly wings. The ride was one of the most exhilarating things I've done in quite some time.

I have never felt so safe on a bicycle in the 20 years I've been cycling on this city's streets. And despite the fact that the Critical Mass rides have been painted as a band of young vigilantes, I felt completely safe surrounded by like-minded people who respect the Earth, value a good bike ride, and want the city to give us options.

We're ordinary people who will be voting in the next election, and we're raising our voices to say that we want to ride our bicycles. And we want the city to support that.

HEATHER PLETT

Winnipeg

Wear a bicycle helmet

As I stopped to watch the Critical Mass protest last Friday on my walk home from work, I was dismayed to see that a significant number of the cyclists were not wearing helmets. By my estimate, it appeared that about 50 per cent of those partaking in the event were not wearing protective headgear. As a person who has been involved in a bicycle/motor-vehicle accident and evaded serious head injuries as a result of using a helmet, I can attest to the importance of wearing a helmet.

The issue of safety that the so-called movement is trying to bring to light is not a single-sided issue, but it is a double-sided issue. Commuters who use motor vehicles should respect cyclists' rights to use our streets without fear for their safety. On the other hand, cyclists should take every precaution to ensure their own safety. This means that they should use appropriate safety equipment and follow the rules of the road.

To the people who have joined this movement, please urge, or even insist, that your fellow cyclists are wearing helmets. Perhaps, if you are able to create a movement of safety within the movement, your claim for a safer space on our streets will have a little more merit.

JASON FAST

Winnipeg

Bike riders appalling

Re: Critical Mass a peaceful ride (July 5).

I have to say, even though the demonstration was peaceful, the behaviour of bike riders in the city is still appalling. Last night, as I was crossing the intersection of Portage Avenue and Arlington Street, four female bike riders decided not to abide by the traffic lights. My partner and I had the right-of-way and as we were nearing the end of the long walk across Portage, these bike riders rode through their red traffic light, ignoring the fact that there were still pedestrians crossing. One of them missing us by a foot actually had the gall to stare at us in the eye as she crossed the intersection. Was this some sort of attempt to upset us? If is was, it worked.

Now, what I wonder is, are the efforts of Critical Mass and their "peaceful" demonstrations giving bike riders across the city some sort of "chip" on their shoulders? As if to say that since the last demonstration was a success, their downright rude behaviour on the streets can be somehow justified. But beside all of this, I am still amazed at the fact that these women were in their mid-20s, old enough to know right and wrong and abide by some law to allow pedestrians to cross safely to the other side without getting hurt. Now that the bike riders have had their time in the spotlight, who is going to stand up and show some respect to pedestrians in this city?

MELISSA DIONISIO

Winnipeg

City unsafe for cyclists

Re: Bike riders appalling (July 10).

Just what connection does Melissa Dionisio think there is between those four bike riders she encountered and Critical Mass? Is everyone who owns a car one of those maniacs who makes driving a bike on the roads a life-threatening experience? Are pedestrians and all mothers with babies in strollers in danger when a bike passes within a couple of feet? No! But the discussion of bicycles and their safe operation in our town is a matter of serious concern.

I joined the last Critical Mass bike celebration because as a bicyclist (for over 50 years) I am fed up with the dangerous conditions a bicyclist encounters in Winnipeg. I've biked all over the continent and there is nowhere more dangerous than Winnipeg. Besides the almost total lack of bike paths, the roads are in such terrible condition that they are in themselves a serious danger.

The time for political action and bringing this situation to the public's attention is long overdue. Ms. Dionisio should direct her vitriol at our mayor and city councillors, some of whom have sat on council for decades ignoring the progress made in other cities, ignoring all rational and intelligent representations on the topic of bike paths, and putting all Winnipeg citizens in situations that in any other city would be considered criminal.

SHANE NESTRUCK Winnipeg

More courtesy required

Re: Bike riders appalling (July 10).

Melissa Dionisio's letter about being treated rudely by cyclists reminds us that it's not only drivers who don't fairly share space. A bicycle can be menacing to a pedestrian in a similar but less extreme way to how cars are menacing to bicycles.

I am a Critical Mass participant and I do my utmost to interact safely with pedestrians. Critical Mass promotes all forms of human-powered transport and pedestrians surely qualify. That some cyclists can be as careless as drivers doesn't reflect on the movement, it reflects on those cyclists. Courtesy and safety are key components to using the road. It would benefit everyone if all users, drivers and cyclists alike, learned that.

KEN GERRARD

WinnipegThe car always wins

Re: Wear a bicycle helmet (July 7).

I wish letter writer Jason Fast would keep his comments relevant to the discussion about road safety for cyclists. One aspect of the Critical Mass movement is to urge or force governments to provide safe riding conditions for cyclists. Mr. Fast, you were hit by a car, get it? The car always wins. Would it not have been better to have had the option of a safe bicycle riding corridor than putting your safety concerns into a piece of Styrofoam strapped to your head? I never felt unsafe riding my bike in Sweden where such paths are provided and people rarely wear helmets. They get it -- cars and bikes don't mix. As far as I know, bike helmets are not required by law, but running over cyclists is.

BORDEN SMID

Winnipeg