bike to work

I'd like to commend you on finally speaking out about the awful driving experience brought on by cyclists. They are in fact a nuisance, and make my two-mile drive in to work much slower than need be. I think that while you are at it, you should bring up the pain that busses cause, stopping every so often, causing drivers to swerve around them- a very dangerous maneuver. And their bus lane? Clearly they don't belong on the streets either. Cars, and cars alone.

I suspect you are aware of my sarcasm at this point.

I recently started riding my bike to work instead of driving. Aside from helping me feel better physically, I am also less taxing on my environment not to mention my wallet. Today I received your article from a coworker and fellow commuter, and while I don't consider myself a "cyclist" I was definitely offended. Allow me to address some of your points.

The city says 6,000 people commute by bike each day. We of the car world get upset when we have to stop for a light, but a bike rider swerves over to the crosswalk and keeps going.

Please take a mental note of how many cyclists you see swerving in and out of lanes and running red lights. Is it 6,000? Or is it more like 10? I am going to guess the latter. Those cyclists that run the red lights are, in fact, breaking the law. I wonder how the statistics compare to the number of drivers running red lights?

As for those who use the crosswalk to continue with their commute, consider it a perk of saving the environment and helping their health. I stop at all the lights. I signal my turns. As do most of my colleagues. You have managed to clump us all together and make a judgment based on those few - sounds like prejudice to me.

Or the huffing, puffing rider who moves to the exact middle of the lane and goes one mile per hour up a hill, leaving the car to jolt along at an impossible speed or to dangerously pass, endangering bike rider, driver and passengers in other cars.

Typically a cyclist is in the middle of the lane because they realize there is not enough room for a car to safely pass. They are making a decision for their own safety. If the slow moving commuter were in a car, I'm sure you would get equally as aggravated. But I highly doubt you would speed up and pass them illegally.

As for the huffing and puffing at one mile per hour, I am guilty (remember I am a new cyclist). When I merge into the center of lane to make my left turns, as a car would, I rely on the patience of the driver behind me to understand that I am working my hardest to get up the hill and am concerned for the safety of everyone around me.

"The bike lane is a powerful symbol," Smith says. "It sends a message to bikers that they don't belong on the street. It's based on an idea that you can't get along with the other person."

I realize you did not say this, but you quoted him as making a valid point. I find this argument counterintuitive to your other points. If, in fact, sharing the lane with a cyclist is that taxing on your commute, then it seems logical that you would want them to have their own lane. This way the cars don't have to slow down or wait for those slow riders. There is no danger in passing. It almost seems like the solution to all your complaints.

Mr. Mayne, I realize your article was an opinion piece and was geared towards pushing for licensing of cyclists. But your points to support your argument seem poorly researched - at least from the perspective of understanding the commute as a cyclist. And I find that irresponsible. My suggestion is that you park your car for a month, and experience your commute as a cyclist. I would be interested to read your opinions of bike lanes and sharing the road then.

Amanda Morgan

Seattle