Safer roads mean more cyclists
Debate continues about a separated bikeway proposed for Frome Street. Today, readers challenge views that cyclists don’t contribute to road maintenance.
NAT CLEGHORN: In response to John Lewis’s letter (InDaily, September 9, 2013), I think you will find that most adult cyclists contribute financially to maintaining our roads, I personally register and fully insure multiple cars and I still choose to ride my bike when I can.
JOEL PARSONS: In response to Graham Ingerson’s letter yesterday, I’m afraid your less-than-scientific inquiry into traffic flows on Frome Street conducted by standing on a corner for five minutes waiting for your friend is insufficient to conclude that “few” people ride bicycles on Frome Road. I walk along there all the time and see many bicycles, so I guess the “data” is not settled.
Also, don’t you think that maybe, if given the chance to utilise a separated bike way rather than riding in the gutter, dodging parked and moving vehicles, more people might be inclined to ride bicycles in the city? You’re basically saying “well I can’t see anyone currently using that non-existent infrastructure project now, so clearly it isn’t needed”.
And John Lewis: Do you have any evidence apart from that in the vein of Graham Ingerson’s data, suggesting that “The Sturt Street experiment was a financial and traffic disaster”? The council do not live in a “dream world” – they have been painstakingly gradual in their approach to this project. You are “incredulous about how these myopic people are allowed to ruin our city, and [you], like many, rarely go there”. Really? You claim it to be your city, and in the same breath admit you rarely go there. No wonder the towering cyclist lobby has been able to impose its anti-motorist propaganda, in the dark age of your absence!
Maybe this project could be a good thing. You complain about traffic congestion – maybe encouraging the use of alternative forms of transport might help to alleviate this problem.
PAUL JORGENSEN: Any chance of running an educational piece on how roads are funded? Roads are funded by council rates and general government taxes, not vehicle registration. Most cyclists pay all three (as they also own cars) buts cause much less damage to the roads when cycling.
Congestion is caused by one occupant cars, not by cyclists or infrastructure.
Graham Ingerson says “few wish to ride” – many more would ride if they felt safe.
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