YOU SAID IT: A biking backfire

Article content

A BIKING BACKFIRE

Article content

No one would dispute the worth of the bicycle as a means of transportation. It is quiet, efficient and provides exercise for the rider. As a result, over many decades the city and the NCC have built and expanded hundreds of kilometres of trails across the region. By necessity, these trails intersect with existing roadways, many of which are major transportation arteries.

This interaction has now resulted in considerable disruptions to the existing flow of vehicular traffic. At the push of a button, a single cyclist can halt the flow of traffic in both directions, often on major arteries during rush hour, resulting in untold numbers of vehicles left idling in both directions until the cyclist is long out of sight.

Article content

If the original intent to promote the use of bicycles was driven by a desire to save the environment, I’m afraid it has produced a side effect that is contrary to that goal. The recent focus by the city to reduce the effect of idling vehicles simply highlights the nature of the problem.

BOB MACQUARRIE
NEPEAN

HYPOCRITICAL HIGH-FLYER

He took off again, this time to attend the Francophonie summit in France.

Our hypocritical, high-flying, carbon-taxing tourte (an extinct bird like a pigeon used as filling in meat pies) was airborne again.

He and the others were to work on “priorities including democracy and human rights.”

Maybe he could try that back home here in Canada.

Aw, forget it. Just so many pigeon feathers.

DYAN CROSS
OTTAWA

Article content

SAD STAT

Statistics Canada’s sad announcement that Canada’s birth rate has fallen to the lowest level in recorded history is an indictment of Justin Trudeau and the Liberal government. Poverty and economic uncertainty have Canadians, more so than ever, deciding they can’t even afford to have a family in Canada.

CHRIS ROBERTSON
STONY PLAIN, ALTA.

OPEN IT UP

Open Moodie Drive south at Richmond Road. The City of Nepean, some years ago, made changes there and in so doing stopped traffic from going further south, and diverted it through the residential community of Arbetha Park.

Now the increased traffic contributes to the air pollution and our share of high-speed drivers. It should be opened and will require a control light at that location.

HARRY SPLETT
BELLS CORNERS

HAVE YOUR SAY

Your letters are welcome, at: OttSun.Oped@sunmedia.ca. Include your first and last name AND city/town. Keep your letters short — and please try to be civil, even when criticizing or disagreeing. We edit for accuracy, length, clarity and legal concerns.

Article content