<HTML><BODY><DIV style='font-family: "Verdana"; font-size: 10pt;'><DIV>To all at Boston Critical Mass,</DIV>
<DIV> I had written an article for the Salem News Salem Mass Dec 21, 2005 as Letter to the editor, regarding my supportive position for abandoned rail beds to be used as bike paths. There was one person a John Toomey who opposed it as a letter to the editor on Dec 28, 2005 page B6 Electronically I don't subscribe to the Salem News, but I do get their paper edition. </DIV>
<DIV> The following is a response by what I call a Neandertal Road worrier, John Toomey. </DIV>
<DIV> I wish I could of joined you at Copley, but I work nights. Some nights I do have the opportunity to go in to start my shift at 7:00pm. SO I will plan such a paticipation in the near future. </DIV>
<DIV> Please read the following fwd response.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> by Paula Walach</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>To the Editor,</DIV>
<DIV> It seems like Mr. John Toomey of <SPAN class=correction id="">Danvers</SPAN> is saying that crime follows me around when I'm riding my bicycle. <SPAN class=correction id="">Hmmm</SPAN>. Re;Edition Dec. 28, 2005 "True, but create a bike highway in <SPAN class=correction id="">Danvers</SPAN> for me to use and society follows with its crime". Well ! excuse me for <SPAN class=correction id="">breathing</SPAN> car/bus/pickup truck/<SPAN class=correction id="">SUV</SPAN> exhaust fumes while I share the road with such other vehicles. Has Mr. Toomey have the <SPAN class=correction id="">statistics</SPAN> on what kind of crime follows the automobile and those other previously mentioned vehicles, that I'm <SPAN class=correction id="">compelled</SPAN> to share the road with? And I would suggest including road rage as a crime as well, which is everywhere these days including on the roads near the proposed bike paths in Danvers. </DIV>
<DIV> Every year I go up to the City of Montreal, just to enjoy the endless miles of bike paths in and out of the city. Some of them are actually located on abandoned rail road spurs. But for the most part they are the most pleasing because they lead to picnic areas where whole families on bikes can enjoy a nice day without the hassle of the automobile and traffic, and road rage. Just think a park for bikes only, as well as posted speed limits for the <SPAN class=correction id="">bicyclist</SPAN> in some areas. Also those bike paths are well lit and lead into condo subdivisions and even by the back yards of some affluent neighborhoods. Some are blocked in such a way that motorized vehicle cannot get on them very well. I guess that is their method of traffic calming. I have ridden them at night with out fear, because they are well maintained and <SPAN class=correction id="">patrolled</SPAN>. That is Canadian culture. Yes, they do have crime but I've yet to here of such events on their bike paths, and I listen on a daily basis at home to a Montreal <SPAN class=correction id="">English</SPAN> talk radio station <SPAN class=correction id="">CJAD</SPAN> <<SPAN class=correction id="">CJAD</SPAN>.<SPAN class=correction id="">COM</SPAN>> the web. Above all how much does crime costs per capita, bicycle riding <SPAN class=correction id="">vs</SPAN> motorized automobile travel?</DIV>
<DIV> I love riding my because;</DIV>
<DIV> bikes don't eat the ozone</DIV>
<DIV> bikes don't kill thousands of people yearly</DIV>
<DIV> bike riding is great exercise</DIV>
<DIV> biking makes you part of your neighborhood </DIV>
<DIV> bikes don't fill up the <SPAN class=correction id="">land fills</SPAN> as fast as cars. (My <SPAN class=correction id="">Schiwnn</SPAN> is over twenty years old)How much energy does it take to destroy a rusted out car/<SPAN class=correction id="">SUV</SPAN>?</DIV>
<DIV> bikes don't cost $2.09plus per gallon to fuel</DIV>
<DIV> bikes don't contribute to noise pollution or waste heat even from environmentally <SPAN class=correction id="">friendly</SPAN> fuels.</DIV>
<DIV> <STRONG>BIKES ARE FUN!</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG> </STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG> Paula <SPAN class=correction id="">Walach-Industrial</SPAN> electrician</STRONG></DIV>
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