Time Magazine, October 26, 1987
 

Your article on public anger against bicyclists ((NATION, Oct. 5)) overlooksthe primary reason for the conflict. People ignore the fact that cyclistshave the same rights and are subject to the same rules as motorists. IfI had a nickel for every trucker who made sport out of coming as closeas possible without hitting me, I could be wealthy.

   Jeffrey L. Green
   Traverse City, Mich.
 
 

I commute 14 miles a day on a bike. Unfortunately, many of the cyclistsI encounter along the way ignore traffic regulations and generally disregard  common road etiquette, like halting for stop signs and riding single file.Often I remonstrate with the offenders, remarking, ''Behavior like thatgives us all a bad name.'' I am either ignored or, worse, told to mindmy own business.

   Christopher Dresden, Secretary
   Almaden Cycle Touring Club
   San Jose
 
 

   It should be stressed that there is a tremendous differencebetween the protection afforded by a motor vehicle and by a bicycle. Igave up commuting to my job on my bike before my luck ran out. I have hadthings thrown at me, was blown off the road by a truck that passed tooclose at a high speed, and was slapped on the rear by someone passing ina van, which nearly sent me under the wheels of the next vehicle. A bicyclist,no matter how well outfitted, has no protection against a motor vehicle.

   Linda Deering
   Libertyville, Ill.
 
 

   One way to stop the recklessness of bike messengers isto modify the incentive system under which they operate. Instead of payingaccording to the number of deliveries, firms should be forced to pay onan hourly basis. Further, companies should be required to buy medallionsfor the bikes, and messengers should have state driver's licenses. I havebeen a cab driver as well as a bike messenger; I know how the motivationfor money makes both go faster.

   Jim Chadwick
   Berkeley