As a year-round commuter cyclist, I take exception to some of the assumptions in Rae Butcher's letter, Winter cycling dangerous (Jan. 11). Winter cyclists do not make judgment calls regarding the safety of their chosen mode of travel. I make judgments about how and where to ride on a daily basis, based on weather, road conditions and, most importantly, on traffic volume. Butcher can rest easy that I do not want to end up under his car and choose to ride safely.

The second assumption is a little more troublesome. Throughout the letter he repeatedly speaks of "our" roads, meaning that the roads are only for motorists -- "these cyclists are being allowed to remain on our streets and in our driving lanes ..." As far as I know, city roads belong to everyone. I have a job and a house. I pay taxes. I believe that gives me at least some right to claim the roads as "mine" and legally ride on them.

As for bike paths, the assumption is that they actually go somewhere and are safe to ride on. Wrong on both counts. They are largely recreational and are never plowed. Side streets are also troublesome because parked cars inhibit plowing, causing a buildup of snow in that lane. Sidewalks are intermittently plowed. Paradoxically, the safest place to ride is on the busy main streets, which are plowed and salted with every sprinkling of snow.

As for assuming that I feel morally superior, I don't. I ride for many reasons, some of which are ecologically related, but the big two are economy and convenience. I don't care whether Rae Butcher rides or not -- I just want to get to work and back as safely and economically as possible. On my roads.

Ian Toal

I have to respond to the person complaining about having to put up with bicyclists in the winter. It would be easy to say we have to put up with his attitude and car all year round, so what is his beef? The other answer is that the world is changing. The car is no longer king. Winnipeg is doing transit corridors and looking at light rail. Gas is a finite resource. It is clowns like me that bike all year round that are actually not using gas and thus keeping the price down.

Anyhow, thanks for the warning. I know you are out there and I'll be on the lookout (as always).

Doug Lang

Three words for Rae Butcher and all others who feel that "our streets" and "our driving lanes" are the personal private property of motorists: share the road!

Howard Ryant