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LETTER: Cyclists should not all be painted with the same brush

Argument that motorists have more entitlement to the roads because they pay gasoline taxes doesn't hold water, says letter writer
USED 2018-10-01-share the road

OrilliaMatters welcomes letters to the editor. This letter is in response to recent letter, titled, 'When will cyclists be held responsible for their antics?' Send your letter to [email protected]
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Congratulations on driving safely, Doug Lewis, by looking around you and averting a collision with a careless cyclist. I agree with you that laws should be enforced regarding safe cycling – as well as safe operation of any vehicle. 

Therefore, let’s get the police out there catching motorists speeding and running red lights. Their numbers are pretty high in this town, from my observation. And their actions can be deadly, as opposed to the cyclists, who are more likely to do harm only to themselves.

Please don’t paint all cyclists with the brush you dipped watching one cyclist acting inconsiderately. 

I see Mr. Lewis is definitely a responsible driver – would he like to be painted with the brush I dip watching scores of drivers zoom by me when I am in my car driving the limit?

As for the idea that motorists paying gasoline taxes somehow gives them more entitlement to the road – we all pay taxes to maintain our streets safely; motorists pay extra because their mode of transportation is highly destructive… to the actual roads themselves, to other users of the roads, and to the environment.

And for the matter of keeping cyclists off the sidewalks, (and I agree they shouldn’t be there) – a sure-fire way of doing that would be to make the roads safer for cyclists. 

Mary Jo Pollak
Orillia
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