Proposal flawed

I READ with interest your article and the editorial in the November 5 edition regarding the proposed bike boulevard on Shakespeare Street in Mt Hawthorn, mainly because it affects me.

Reporter Sophie Gabrielle wondered if the State Government was prepared to spend money on a "people friendly" bike boulevard initiative…."why not let them?".

I will tell you why, because it intends to decrease a safe, wide road down to 3.9m wide, maintaining two-way traffic on it, albeit with a different coloured strip and separated parking bays.

Sure, it may look nicer but I am pretty certain it is going to be a lot more dangerous for both cyclists and motorists.

This bike boulevard will not separate cyclists and motorists; it will only bring them closer together. Moreover, to suggest that the boulevard will reduce “rat running” – of course it will, to our neighbouring, Dunedin and Edinboro streets.

Rat running will always be around everywhere because it is only natural to use shortcuts or to avoid congestion.

I would be delusional and arrogant not to expect it in my street.

To use language such as "cyclist-hating motorists" is not very responsible reporting either. Perhaps you should present objective facts and their possible ramifications that will hopefully lead to decisions and opinions based on common sense.

This us versus them mentality perpetuated by the media is not helping an already inflamed situation at all.

Nowhere in your article or editorial is it mentioned about the road width reduction and its effect on the motorists or cyclists, the blocking of Shakespeare Street at the Woodstock Street intersection, which would cause residents living north of Woodstock to drive around the block to get home, or the crazy narrowed chicanes with their raised paving.

Just because the State Government is willing to throw some money into this project does not make it a good idea.

GENE LORENZON,

Mt Hawthorn.