Letter on cycling vs. cars draws strong reaction

GOH IROMOTO/TORONTO STAR FILE PHOTO

A letter published last week from Dennis Simo of Milton, who was critical of some of the cyclists in this photograph, brought heated responses from a number of readers.

GOH IROMOTO

Re Cyclists who ride on the road are asking for trouble, Dennis Simo letter, July 17

I can’t believe in this day and age, when we are trying to encourage people to get out of cars and enjoy a healthy activity, that someone would have such a closed- minded opinion.

Is Dennis even aware of the natural beauty and backdrop that he has in Milton? Is he too busy driving his car? Too busy watching TV? Or, does he not feel that he should have to share it with others?

Come on Dennis (and everyone else who shares his out-of-date, close-minded opinion)! As an avid cyclist and hiker, I go out of my way to enjoy Milton and area. You should be proud of where you live and help promote it.

Since you are not riding a bike, we don’t you turn on your computer and go to the Ontario government website? Read the part about driving being a privilege. (a) The privilege of driving on a highway is granted to, and retained by, only those persons who demonstrate that they are likely to drive safely. (And you want to encourage motorists to punch cyclists in the face? Or, turn them into roadkill?)

Then there’s this: Every person in charge of a vehicle on a highway meeting a person travelling on a bicycle shall allow the cyclist sufficient room on the roadway to pass. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 148 (4). Every person on a bicycle who is overtaken by a vehicle travelling at a greater speed shall turn out to the right and allow the vehicle to pass and the vehicle overtaking shall turn out to the left so far as may be necessary to avoid a collision. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 148 (6). Cyclists should stay as close to the right edge of the road as is practicable. Cyclists are allowed to safely use the full lane if staying close to the right edge of the road is unsafe. These passages are taken word for word from the Ontario government’s website.

The sad thing in all this? I would probably stop and help you, or let you use my cell phone, if your car was broken down on the side of the road. The very few like you ruin it for all of us because we no longer feel safe on the road.

Maybe you should get out and ride! It might make you happier.

Cameron Hay, Burlington

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Dennis Simo’s letter about cyclists asking for trouble caused me some trouble.

When I approach cyclists who are occupying both the bike path and the road, firstly, I wait for them to pull over or give a toot of my horn to signal my presence and then proceed to pass cautiously once they have moved over.

I notice he uses words such as jackasses, bearing down, arrogance and punched. These words are aggressive and indicative of behaviour that can lead to road rage and carnage on our roadways.

Dinsmore Roach, Toronto

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Dennis Simo notes that the July 24 photo in Wheels of bicyclists shows two on the road, not in the lane.

Though acknowledging their right to be there – in single file, as they are – he immediately lambastes them as “ arrogant . . . spandex warriors” who perhaps deserve to “get punched in the face or worse...”

If the affronted Mr. Simo had just paused instead of doing a little metaphorical punching of his own, he might have considered the possibility that the two in question were merely passing slower riders, were about to swing back in and were in no danger whatsoever from “the vehicle bearing down on them.”

Or was Mr. Simo driving, perhaps?

Geoff. Rytell, Toronto

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I am both a car driver and a cyclist. After reading the letter from Dennis Simo of Milton, I couldn’t help but sense the contempt and anger this person has for cyclists.

To refer to a human as “road pizza” is a disgusting disregard for human life.

J. Owen Yeandle, Erin

Car in photo an Austin,

Not another Rolls-Royce

Re Hot night, hot cars in Milton, July 24

Joe Knycha took some really nice pictures of the cars on Main St. in Milton.

However, as I’m sure other British car buffs noticed, the car at the side of the Cadillac is a 1960 Austin Princess, as the licence plate indicates, and not another Rolls-Royce.

During my time with a rock band in the North of England in the early 1960s, we were fortunate enough to have one as a “band wagon.” We were treated royally wherever we played, more thanks to the car than any inherent talent.

Ken Hobin, Muskoka

Dogs on the road a lesson

for driving the speed limit

Just today, I was reminded how important it is to obey the posted speed limits in residential areas and to keep your eyes on the road.

I was driving a local road, with a 50 km speed limit, when I spotted a young dog dart across the road about 50 metres ahead. As I got closer, another one bolted across the road just in front of me. Luckily I wasn’t going that fast, probably under 50, so I was able to stop in time.

My point is that if I were going the “normal” speed for this road (at least 60 kp/h), I wouldn’t have been able to avoid the second dog and quite likely would have killed it. Worse still, if I had been deep in conversation on a cell phone (something I still see often), I wouldn’t have reacted in time.

Just try to keep this in mind the next time you’re a bit late for a meeting, or the cell phone rings. Yes, it would have been the dog’s “fault” but would you really want to live with that?

Peter Van Hoof, Pickering

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