[bikeqld] FW: To Bruce Flegg

[Peter Whittle]

-----Original Message-----
From: Dr. Bruce Flegg [mailto:bruce at bruceflegg.com] 
Sent: Saturday, 18 April 2009 10:45 AM
To: pjl.whittle at optusnet.com.au
Subject: Copy of: Your cycling bulletin

Copy of:

This is an enquiry e-mail via http://moggill.net/ from:
Peter Whittle <pjl.whittle at optusnet.com.au>

Dear Bruce
Some comments on your online article:

- have you checked on your claim about Ben Wilson's alleged statement? He has said he does not support licensing cyclists. Please check the BQ website for the facts and alter your bulletin and retract. Also look up the Cycling Resource Centre on the web for some more detailed comment on this manifestly silly proposal.

- have you run similar articles on red-light running by motorists? These are in plague numbers in Brisbane and are far more dangerous than cyclists riding across the Moggill Rd intersection. Haven't the police got better things to do?

- did you know there are good reasons to ride across? Ask a cyclist before going to print. Try walking across, and you won't make it before it goes red. Try walking across in pedal cleats. Then try riding - hey - it's safe! Even DMR recognises this and is just trying to get around to putting in a light. So why are the police enforcing this now? Because uninformed bigots see cyclists as a bigger target than other motorists who cause orders of magnitude more hazard and harm.

I'm glad you are consulting now - but it would be better to do it before going to print.

Peter Whittle.