No brains at the top
Let's be clear -- any aggression by the police toward bicyclists is not a reflection on the police but is a direct measure of the ignorance of the police chief, the mayor and the premier.
On Friday, I and hundreds of bicyclists who are fed up with that ignorance joined the Critical Mass bike ride. We were there because we are embarrassed (and terrified) to be bicyclists in a city that is a black hole of intelligent leadership.
How is it possible that those so-called leaders are so unaware of the looming energy crunch that demands that we re-adopt the bicycle and other "alternatives" to the automobile? How is it possible that the bicycle police can ride abreast and safely occupy a whole lane of the road, getting respect, while the rest of us hazard our health in aggressive and threatening traffic?
For 45 minutes hundreds of citizen bicyclists, creating no pollution, and only temporary inconvenience, but absolutely no danger or physical threat to the health of motorists, sent a message -- Mayor Katz, Premier Doer, smarten up!
Shane Nestruck
Winnipeg
(And maybe you should lighten up.)
Held up by cycling horde
Regarding Critical Mass, I am so sick and tired of these people who seem to think they have the total right to the roads.
I was on my way down Assiniboine Avenue Friday night to pick up my son. I was met by the horde of these cyclists who took over the entire road. If I was to do that as a car driver I would have been charged. Can I ride on the wrong side of the road and demand the oncoming traffic stop for me?
I was surrounded by a bunch of men cyclists who stopped my car from proceeding and yes, I am a woman ... hmmmm. No violence, hey?
I explained to them that I had a horrid migraine headache and just wanted to get going home. The larger of the men told me if I had taken a bus I would be home by now. I then asked him if he had any idea what is was like to be in this smoke- and humidity-filled air while having a migraine headache. All he could say was, "Well ... ummmmm." He then smiled and handed me a yellow piece of paper and told me to wait 15 "more" seconds.
They all kept yelling and showing signs to wait 15 seconds. Well it took much longer than 15 seconds for them to surround my car, never mind for the entire group to pass. They have even lowered themselves to bringing children along for intimidation.
I live in this city, pay the same taxes and much higher gas prices, yet they seem to think I owe them! I think not!
Pat Horch
Winnipeg
(First rule of the road: men should always clear a path for a woman with a migraine.)
Run-ins with cyclists
I have an idea what Pat Horch went through (Held up by cycling horde, July 4). I too have problems with people riding bicycles on the sidewalks. I mean full-grown adults yelling and cursing me because I won't move my walk-chair off the sidewalk so they don't have to ride on the grass.
Why do these Critical Mass people think they are better than everyone else?
R.B. Lanyon
Winnipeg
(Not because they have such nice legs.)
Should've had the fever
If us Critical Massers were smart, we would have grabbed a few flags and a soccer ball so that instead of being roughed up and arrested, we could drink in public, block traffic for, not a few minutes but hours, and try to punch out an officer.
Not a single derisive letter to the editor, abundant celebratory coverage from the press and, aside from the brief detention (without charges) of the puncher, little more than a "boys will be boys" attitude from the police.
Don't get me wrong: I support safe, enthusiastic celebration from fans. Bike fans included.
Evan Hall
Winnipeg
(There's selective tolerance for stupidity.)
Cyclists did pollute
Re: No brains at the top (Shane Nestruck, Letter of the Day. July 4).
His claim that Critical Mass didn't create any pollution is wrong; they held up a lot of cars which in turn created more pollution by just sitting there. His group caused as much pollution that day as anybody else.
Ralph Pottinger
Winnipeg
(They'd call it justifiable exhaust.)Can't you read the signs?
I've been commuting to work by bike for nearly a decade. I ride 26 km a day and I'm all business. I obey the rules of the road and expect the same from other commuters. I have neither the time nor the inclination to provoke drivers and block traffic with my eco-buddies. But I do have time to ponder the apparent confusion regarding cyclists' rights on the Maryland Bridge.
As many of us are painfully aware, the Sherbrook Bridge is closed for construction. Consequently, traffic flow has been reduced to two lanes running each way on the Maryland Bridge.
Due to the obvious space restrictions, I virtually hug the curb when I cycle over the bridge. Yet drivers still honk. Every day, rain or shine. This strikes me as odd, because there are signs posted as you approach the bridge from both directions. It is the standard construction worker orange with black print and it says CYCLISTS SHARE ROADWAY. Above the sign is an illustration of a car and a bike, moving along side by side in what appears to be harmonious fashion. There are no symbols denoting horn sounds or expletives. It's not art, but there is nothing left to interpretation.
So in an effort to reduce the horn-honking (particularly from those drivers too immersed in their cellphone conversations to notice street signage but somehow never too preoccupied to honk at a cyclist), I'd like to remind drivers using the Maryland-Sherbrook Bridge that cyclists do in fact share the roadway -- just like the sign says.
Michele C. Mackinnon
Winnipeg
(It's a struggle, but we think we get it.)