The following letter was for internal consumption in answer to Lincolnshire Echo's stance on cycling. However they published it.
Hi Paul,
Re the Boris Bikes & the Echo comment.
For some time I have been aware that politicians, some with an anti driver
ideology, others desperate to mitigate the economic mess we are in, have been
encouraging cycling as if it can replicate 300,000,000,000 driver miles a year,
in the minimum time and the transportation of large loads or or numerous people.
Of course it is utter nonsense. It is also nonsense to promote cycling, not
necessary for the survival of the community, as if on an equal basis and at the
expense of 35 million drivers without whom , including private, the economy
would collapse over-night and all of us would die very rapidly from lack of
basics; including food, water, heat & medicine. Quite simply, drivers &
walkers are entirely necessary for the survival of all and other road users
simply aren’t. Think about that.
So in view of this I have been asking a simple question. Would we normally
or under any other circumstances tolerate unprotected humans mixing, mingling
and often competing with large pieces of heavy fast machines operated by people
of various, mostly poor ability, unless it was extremely crucial that they
should? It’s a fair question. Now please look at http://bit.ly/VNby9D & http://bit.ly/KEfqjh
clearly cycling on roads is very dangerous. It is only healthy if not killed or
turned into a paraplegic as people often are.
In promoting cycling, Is the Echo going to take responsibility for the next
Lincolnshire cycle fatality? I certainly believe the politicians who have been
exploiting cyclists for their own agenda should feel guilty when one dies or is
seriously injured; don’t you?
Don’t let’s look at danger through rose coloured spectacles. We need to
re-think what roads are for; it’s no longer 1920.
Wishes
