Letters Aug 18
Cyclists on footpaths
The arguments between Motorists and cyclists continue with no end in sight. I am moved to write this after being hit by a car last Wednesday. (Re: Bums on Bikes, Write On, August 4) I am a cyclist and I run red lights frequently and will continue to do so as well as riding on footpaths. I do this not to deliberately annoy motorists but merely get from A to B safely in one piece. Roads are for cars and footpaths are for pedestrians therefore us cyclists are the “lepers” of the road caught in no mans land,
were we’re damned if we do and damned if we don’t. Avoidance is the best policy when on a bike amongst traffic and if that means jumping the lights and riding footpaths to stay out of way of cars then so be it. However I am also a motorist so I can see the other point of view. Here’s an example. Whilst driving up Adelaide Rd from the John St intersection I had to slow to 10Kph behind three other cars who were following a cyclist grinding his way up the hill. I remember cringing as frustrated motoristists angrily swerved to overtake as oncoming traffic sped towards them.
Here was me, a cyclist despairing at another rider for not having the sense to
ride on the footpath up such a busy, traffic clogged, arterial route. But of course doing so might have angered a Pedestrian! It is a contentious issue and one that will continue for some time. My hope is that commonsense, courtesy and patience will prevail on both sides.
John Martin, Island Bay
Media Laws
The media has me, and no doubt other red blooded Kiwis, enthralled by Michael Laws shenanigans with Ms Jacqueline Sperling AKA Jackie Baille. Who would have thought such a mild mannered guy could get so lucky. If he could apply such enthusiasm to his political aspirations he would be a worldbeater, and a dynamic asset as a running mate for Winston Peters. Also if the tryst is past tense, could he please forward me her phone number?
Ron Blair, Te Aro
Hot bitch appeal
Dear Deirdre, darling you missed the point [Ugly unitard appeal, Capital Times, Aug 11]. I know sometimes it is hard to “think outside the square” and imagine a world where people with a few extra pounds on their chops are allowed to dance on a stage. Sweetheart, don’t worry we are not a threat to you and your wonderful svelte graceful gals, we have a sense of humour, a love of color and of course lunch. Yes, we had a story line and I know that contemporary dance is all about being a wee bit obscure and earnest so that would have thrown you. Chin up old girl, you are still dance royalty.
Cynthia Sachet, Real Hot Bitch
Cobblestone park
How can this woman [Mayor Kerry Prendergast] expect to be taken seriously when she can’t even get the small things right [Tawa girl at heart, Capital Times, Aug 11]. For example, I live directly opposite Cobblestone Park and looking out my window I can tell you that they do not turn the lights off on that basketball court at night. In fact games go on as late as 1 or 2 in the morning keeping residents awake with the lights and noise. Thanks Mrs Prendergast.
Craig, Wellington
Star Pass” travesty
Thank you for bringing more public attention to the Go Wellington “Day Tripper” and “STARPass” bus ticket travesty. The Go-Wellington Day Tripper is set to increase in fare by 50%, which is appalling in my mind (if only salaries were so easily weighted in this way!).
Worse still, the Go Wellington STARPass ticket looks as though it will disappear altogether. So much for “Absolutely Positively Wellington” - this is absolutely NEGATIVE for both Wellington and the Hutt Valley. The demise of the STARPass will mean that people will be far less likely to hop on the bus to go out for dinner/entertainment from Wellington to the Hutt, or from the Hutt to Wellington. Where city governors in major cities elsewhere are encouraging people ONTO public transport, Wellington seems hell-bent on pushing people back into their cars, dissuading people from acting responsibly in a drink/drive situation, making it unattractive for people to go out by public transport anywhere but in their immediate neighbourhood. I am heartily disappointed in both Go Wellington and the Wellington Regional Council. And what impact on the already struggling restaurant/bar/theatre businesses...
One absolutely, positively, disgusted customer,
Jo Hickey, Wellington
Poor roadwork
I sympathise with your correspondent Simon “Swampy” Marsh (11th August). A further example of poor roadwork can be experienced in Mairangi Road, Wadestown and Pembroke Road, a much used main road connecting to Northland. In March this year sections of large chip seal were applied and the chips continue to fly free leaving an uneven surface particularly at corners. It is clear that this type of chip sealing is unacceptable and a waste of money and resources. The only apparent defects in these roads prior to this “chip sealing” were uneven surfaces arising from contractors accessing services etc, all of which could have been appropriately restored with hot mix applications without this extensive and no doubt expensive sealing.
Pauline Swann, Wadestown
The arguments between Motorists and cyclists continue with no end in sight. I am moved to write this after being hit by a car last Wednesday. (Re: Bums on Bikes, Write On, August 4) I am a cyclist and I run red lights frequently and will continue to do so as well as riding on footpaths. I do this not to deliberately annoy motorists but merely get from A to B safely in one piece. Roads are for cars and footpaths are for pedestrians therefore us cyclists are the “lepers” of the road caught in no mans land,
were we’re damned if we do and damned if we don’t. Avoidance is the best policy when on a bike amongst traffic and if that means jumping the lights and riding footpaths to stay out of way of cars then so be it. However I am also a motorist so I can see the other point of view. Here’s an example. Whilst driving up Adelaide Rd from the John St intersection I had to slow to 10Kph behind three other cars who were following a cyclist grinding his way up the hill. I remember cringing as frustrated motoristists angrily swerved to overtake as oncoming traffic sped towards them.
Here was me, a cyclist despairing at another rider for not having the sense to
ride on the footpath up such a busy, traffic clogged, arterial route. But of course doing so might have angered a Pedestrian! It is a contentious issue and one that will continue for some time. My hope is that commonsense, courtesy and patience will prevail on both sides.
John Martin, Island Bay
Media Laws
The media has me, and no doubt other red blooded Kiwis, enthralled by Michael Laws shenanigans with Ms Jacqueline Sperling AKA Jackie Baille. Who would have thought such a mild mannered guy could get so lucky. If he could apply such enthusiasm to his political aspirations he would be a worldbeater, and a dynamic asset as a running mate for Winston Peters. Also if the tryst is past tense, could he please forward me her phone number?
Ron Blair, Te Aro
Hot bitch appeal
Dear Deirdre, darling you missed the point [Ugly unitard appeal, Capital Times, Aug 11]. I know sometimes it is hard to “think outside the square” and imagine a world where people with a few extra pounds on their chops are allowed to dance on a stage. Sweetheart, don’t worry we are not a threat to you and your wonderful svelte graceful gals, we have a sense of humour, a love of color and of course lunch. Yes, we had a story line and I know that contemporary dance is all about being a wee bit obscure and earnest so that would have thrown you. Chin up old girl, you are still dance royalty.
Cynthia Sachet, Real Hot Bitch
Cobblestone park
How can this woman [Mayor Kerry Prendergast] expect to be taken seriously when she can’t even get the small things right [Tawa girl at heart, Capital Times, Aug 11]. For example, I live directly opposite Cobblestone Park and looking out my window I can tell you that they do not turn the lights off on that basketball court at night. In fact games go on as late as 1 or 2 in the morning keeping residents awake with the lights and noise. Thanks Mrs Prendergast.
Craig, Wellington
Star Pass” travesty
Thank you for bringing more public attention to the Go Wellington “Day Tripper” and “STARPass” bus ticket travesty. The Go-Wellington Day Tripper is set to increase in fare by 50%, which is appalling in my mind (if only salaries were so easily weighted in this way!).
Worse still, the Go Wellington STARPass ticket looks as though it will disappear altogether. So much for “Absolutely Positively Wellington” - this is absolutely NEGATIVE for both Wellington and the Hutt Valley. The demise of the STARPass will mean that people will be far less likely to hop on the bus to go out for dinner/entertainment from Wellington to the Hutt, or from the Hutt to Wellington. Where city governors in major cities elsewhere are encouraging people ONTO public transport, Wellington seems hell-bent on pushing people back into their cars, dissuading people from acting responsibly in a drink/drive situation, making it unattractive for people to go out by public transport anywhere but in their immediate neighbourhood. I am heartily disappointed in both Go Wellington and the Wellington Regional Council. And what impact on the already struggling restaurant/bar/theatre businesses...
One absolutely, positively, disgusted customer,
Jo Hickey, Wellington
Poor roadwork
I sympathise with your correspondent Simon “Swampy” Marsh (11th August). A further example of poor roadwork can be experienced in Mairangi Road, Wadestown and Pembroke Road, a much used main road connecting to Northland. In March this year sections of large chip seal were applied and the chips continue to fly free leaving an uneven surface particularly at corners. It is clear that this type of chip sealing is unacceptable and a waste of money and resources. The only apparent defects in these roads prior to this “chip sealing” were uneven surfaces arising from contractors accessing services etc, all of which could have been appropriately restored with hot mix applications without this extensive and no doubt expensive sealing.
Pauline Swann, Wadestown
Have Your Say
2 Comments
Phil Drummond at 6:19 p.m. on 19 August said
In regards to the Star Pass travesty, how about the Gold Pass travesty? By my calculations my existing monthly $99 Gold Pass is now going to cost me up to $202 per month - and that is with the Snapper discount deducted.
Alastair Smith at 11:38 a.m. on 21 August said
John Martin is right that motor cars sometimes have to wait behind cyclists, however it would be wrong to blame the cyclist for this situation. On Adelaide Road, there are three factors making it difficult to overtake: the cyclist, parked cars that reduce the lane width, and the frequency of oncoming cars that make it difficult to overtake. Two of these three factors are car related. When as a motorist I'm held up briefly by a cyclist, I remind myself that if the cyclist had chosen to use their car, the overall congestion would be greater, and my journey slowed even further. In contrast, when I'm riding my bike, I often find I'm held up significantly by traffic jams of cars!