Tuesday's letters: Cyclists need safe spaces

Motorists like to hate on bike lanes as a cause of increasing taxes, yet they account for a tiny fraction of the budget. I am a pedestrian, a cyclist, and a motorist. Last month, when cycling home from work on a shared roadway in my neighbourhood (bicycle painted on the asphalt), a male driver of [...]

Motorists like to hate on bike lanes as a cause of increasing taxes, yet they account for a tiny fraction of the budget. I am a pedestrian, a cyclist, and a motorist. Last month, when cycling home from work on a shared roadway in my neighbourhood (bicycle painted on the asphalt), a male driver of an oncoming truck sped up towards me when he saw me, then intentionally swerved his huge truck towards me, and yelled at me out his window to “get off the f—–g road!”

When those in vehicles feel entitled to the roadway and emboldened to act in a dangerous and threatening manner, it only proves that separated bike lanes are a must. Cyclists deserve safe infrastructure. I am doing my part to keep fit and healthy (reducing the burden on our health system), reducing my emissions, and saving money.

I won’t stop cycling but now I do so wearing a body cam. Brandy Lindsay, Edmonton River valley next on hit list A large number of communities are implementing restrictive covenants as their only means to partially mitigate the destructive effects of Edmonton’s ill-conceived infill policy. One would expect this to signal to council and administration the unpopularity of this blanket policy, prompting them to rethink or abolish it altogether as Calgary did.

But, no, their misguided ideology trumps the public will. They have already ruined downtown and are now well on the way to ruining the very fabric and character of our neighbourhoods. What is next on the hit list of this cadre led by Knack, Janz, Stevenson and Salvador?

Why, it is our iconic river valley. It has already begun with the approved redevelopment of Rossdale and will likely proceed as fast as possible to decimate the remainder of our idyllic landmark. Rick Butterfield, Edmonton Letters welcome We invite you to write letters to the editor.

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