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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I hope they print it.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>CM was down to about 20-30 bikes last night.
If you join, don't let the winter's low numbers get you down, it can still be
fun.</FONT></DIV>
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style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=walachp@aol.com href="mailto:walachp@aol.com">walachp@aol.com</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=list@bostoncriticalmass.org
href="mailto:list@bostoncriticalmass.org">list@bostoncriticalmass.org</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Friday, December 30, 2005 6:12
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [*BCM*] Fwd; copy of letter to
the edito of the North Shore Salem News of Salem Mass </DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana'">
<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>
<DIV><STRONG>*******************************************************************</STRONG> </DIV></DIV></DIV>
<P>
<HR>
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