The debate (cyclist vs motorist) rages on!

SMH Letters to the Editor March 17 2010

Bikes have every right to be on roads

Wrong on every count, Lindsay Foyle (Letters, March 15). First, there is no adequate level of road building. The more roads you build, the more people will drive, meaning all roads will be at gridlock eventually. Second, banning bicycles from main roads is absurd and illegal.

The Roads and Traffic Authority says a bike is a legitimate vehicle, and as such has a place on roads. Any attempt to assert otherwise would result in massive legal action. Cyclists have every right to ride on the road, it is up to motorists to accommodate them.

The road toll is caused overwhelmingly by motorists. Why is this accepted? If the aviation industry killed as many people as cars, it would be shut down. It is appalling that we accept such a level of carnage by cars, yet get up in arms about people cycling.

Grant Fraser Redfern

For Kevin Griffith (Letters, March 16) to break an arm in a cycling accident may be regarded as a misfortune; to break it twice looks like carlessness.

Philip Du Rhone Redfern