Re: It’s time to end the free ride for cyclists, Column, NewsLeader, July 25

Paula Carlson, yours is a common complaint amongst we motorists: those damn cyclists are getting a free ride.

Isn’t it bad enough that we sit fuming, literally, in our cars while they whiz by, like they don’t have a care in the world? We are stuck in gridlock traffic jams, caged within our two tons of idling, carbon emitting automobile, while they are out in the fresh air getting their exercise.

And then, on top of it all, they don’t have to pay some of the taxes we motorists pay, like that increased carbon tax on gasoline. Aren’t they “emitting” too?

I mean, some of them are breathing pretty heavily.

After all, they get to use the roads too.

My car may take up 120 square feet of road space, but that cyclist must be taking up, well, uh, some space.

And when I get my car to work and start looking for parking or have to pay for it, there those cyclists are, somewhere. Not actually taking up a parking space.

And taxes. Cyclists don’t have to pay gas taxes, driver or vehicle licence fees or even buy insurance.

Of course, those weak-willed insurance actuaries will tell us that cyclists don’t cause the damage and injury claims that a motor vehicle, say, an SUV, mini (sic) van, or pickup truck causes.

Insurance statistics also tell us that you are twice as likely to die if you are in a regular car and are hit by one of these oversize vehicles. Talk about a need for stronger licensing requirements.

Commercial truck drivers have to earn tougher licenses, why not SUV drivers?

Licensing requirements are in some degree proportional to the public hazard of the vehicle. And cycles ...

Of course, to be truthful, since most cyclists also own a car, they probably pay all the same insurance and licensing fees as any other road user. They just get their backsides out of the car from time to time, leave it at home and benefit us all when they do.

Thanks, cyclists.

Paul Glassen

Nanaimo

Cyclists are a menace

Paula Carlson is right on.

As a pedestrian who has for medical reasons given up my driver’s licence and am dependent on TransLink or walking to get around, I have a lot of problems with bicycles on the sidewalk.

They are a law unto themselves.

I have been sworn at and forced off the sidewalk by cyclists flying up behind me and with those coming towards me I am forced to stand off the sidewalk to let them pass. One cyclist wears full bicycle gear but most do not even have a helmet.

On the road, cyclists have no consideration for the laws. One weaved in and out of the cars that were stopped for a red light and sailed right through. Another goes the wrong way on a one-way street. Even on the road many do not wear helmets.

I would like to thank Ms. Carlson for her articulate column. I have many times wanted to write my concerns but have not found the words to do so.

I believe cyclists must now be required to have a licence and insurance and be tested for their worthiness to be on the road.

I have witnessed inconsiderate and dangerous behaviour by cyclists and I think it is time they are required to be on the road and to follow all the rules of the road.

Insurance would cause cyclists to be more responsible for their actions.

Bobbi Clarke

Burnaby

Why stop at cyclists?

Paula Carlson wants cyclists to shell out for transit.

If you think her proposals make sense, why stop at cyclists?

After all, money is being spent to provide pedestrians with facilities such as sidewalks, crossing signals and access to bridges.

Shouldn’t pedestrians too help fund the system?

But what is being overlooked here is the fact that a large majority of adult cyclists and pedestrians also drive cars, and pay hydro levies and property taxes.

These cyclists and pedestrians are already contributing their share of dollars towards transportation funding.

Imposing additional fees would be unfair.

Frank Norman

New Westminster