Greg Keller's comments are reflective of the attitude of a growing number of Winnipeg automobile drivers who view cyclists as a mild irritant at best, or at worst something akin to an al-Qaida militant who needs to be eradicated from the face of the earth.

Let me offer Keller a couple of reasons why we might drive our bicycles in January: We are fit and healthy so we can; we care about the future of the world so are making an unselfish decision to not drive a car; we have made an intentional decision to live close enough to our place of work or study so we don't need to drive a car.

Keller's attitude clearly indicates he feels he has a right to own and operate his vehicle whenever and wherever he likes, even in "snowing, blowing, icy and -20 temperatures." By taking the completely inconsiderate decision to drive during poor winter driving conditions, Keller not only puts his life in his own hands but those of other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

Drivers like Keller had better quickly realize cyclists have as much right to be on our streets as anybody else. We have to deal with a growing number of irresponsible drivers who don't know a green light from a red light, who can't find the turn indicator on their steering column and turn into NASCAR drivers every time they get behind the wheel (if you take issue with this, cycle along with me to work every day and watch for yourself).

Keller, and the drivers like him, need to understand that we will all be better off once we have more of us on the road and fewer of them. Do everyone a favour, Keller, get out of your car and buy a bus pass.