First published on Friday 15 April 2005:

Letter: If cyclists are bad, car drivers are much worse

In response to Mike Ward's rant about cyclists, "Psychopaths on cycle
paths" (The Argus, April 12), he needs to relax a bit, take a holiday,
do something he enjoys for a day.

He sounds so wound up and angry about cyclists I can only imagine he
walks along the cycle path itself when he is out along the seafront.

In my experience, cyclists are really not the problem.

No doubt Mike drives a car without much thought for his impact

on the local environment - but cars create the noise I can hear from my
bed, cars won't stop to allow me to cross the roads (while taxis drive
straight at me and hoot when I am halfway across), cars stop children
from playing in the streets and cars drive too fast all the time,
endangering my life everyday.

Cycling in this town is an extreme sport, not undertaken lightly and
needing special care.

Cyclists are sometimes forced to use pavements by car drivers who show
no regard to cyclists.

There are no cycle lanes on most roads. Drivers overtake cyclists then
stop suddenly in front of them and even open their doors into their
path.

Cyclists are forced into the side of the road by speedy passing traffic.

As for traffic lights and one-way streets, they are simply not designed
for cyclists to use, so cyclists are forced to ignore them.

For instance, traffic lights frequently change to red while a
slow-moving cyclist is halfway across a junction - and all the crossing
traffic starts moving, regardless of the cyclist, putting him or her in
great danger.

One-way streets are hardly ever built with a contra-flow for cyclists,
meaning a cyclist can sometimes have to ride an extra half-mile to get
to the end of a street.

All traffic travels too fast. You take your life into your hands
whenever you get on a bike.

It is stressful and hard work.

So, Mike Ward, try riding for a day and stop moaning. Cyclists have far
more to be angry about than pointless, careless, moaning car drivers.

-Bob Courtney, Brighton

First published on Friday 15 April 2005:

Letter: Come and join us

I was disappointed with Mike Ward's article. Normally, he writes a lot
of sense (being an Albion fan) but I'm afraid this wasn't funny and
reinforces prejudices some people have about cyclists.

Yes, there are irresponsible cyclists out there but they reflect the
society we live in as a whole. Surely Mike should be promoting a hobby
which keeps us fit and is something families can do together?

The facts are:

1 More people walking on pavements are killed or injured by motor
vehicles than cyclists.

2 Car drivers break speed limits and commit road traffic offences every
day. Speed limits are there to save children's lives.

3 Motor vehicles pollute the atmosphere.

4 Cycling is good exercise.

5 The majority of cyclists own a car and pay road tax already.

6 Cycle paths in Brighton and Hove are often blocked by motor vechicles
parked illegally.

I am involved in a team which organises The Argus Appeal fund-raising
cycle challenges.

Both have attracted 250 cyclists this year and will raise much-needed
funds for local charities. Perhaps Mike would like to join us?

-Howie Blanks, Brighton

First published on Friday 15 April 2005:

Letter: Five bike points

To condemn all cyclists on the behaviour of a small minority is akin to
saying all motorists force me off the road, cut me up, knock me off my
bike, park on cycle lanes and pollute the very air I breathe.

Which is not to say I disagree with Mr Ward's six-point plan. It seems
reasonable in principle if slightly flawed in practicality. Might I
suggest a five-point plan for car users:

1 If you can, walk.

2 If you can't walk, cycle.

3 If you can't cycle, get the bus.

4 If you can't get the bus, try the train.

5 And if you can't get the train, get into your pollution-causing
death-mobile and drive your ego-centric self where you need to go.

But please don't injure or kill me or any other more thoughtful persons
than yourself on the way.

-Mike Smith, Brighton

First published on Friday 15 April 2005:

Letter: Overly obnoxious

Mike Ward's Opinion piece was controversial, shocking and obnoxious
enough to stimulate a response.

But I hope The Argus, once so differently represented by Adam
Trimmingham, regret publishing this dangerously generalised
anti-cyclist rant.

Statements such as "hate... loathe and despise" would probably land The
Argus in court if aimed at other minorities.

As it is, they simply fuel the lack of empathy from some motorists -
which might well increase its sometime tragic results.

-Den O'Dair, Brighton

First published on Friday 15 April 2005:

Letter: The wrong way

With regard to the latest accident involving cyclists travelling down a
one-way street the wrong way, don't forget skateboarders, roller
skaters and joggers.

They are all dangerous to the aged and bad-mouthed with it, as was
recently demonstrated in front of a coach-load of visitors I was
directing to the Lanes.

Why are young people like this? If they are not working, how are they
allowed to annoy old people who have done their bit and retired?

-Mr Walsh, Brighton
--
Alan (Fred) Pipes
pipes@...
if I'm away, try: alan.pipes@...
www.fred-pipes.com
NUJ member since 1975