FW: Arrogant IGNORANCE
Gerbasi, Jenny
I am sending this on behalf of Shane.
take care
Jenny Gerbasi
-----Original Message-----
From: Shane in Wpg. [mailto:sha...@mts.net]
Sent: Sun 7/30/2006 11:57 AM
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;
Cc:
Subject: Fw: Arrogant IGNORANCE
Please circulate for me. MY e-mail address book has been lost!
Thanks
Shane
----- Original Message -----
From: Shane in Wpg. <mailto:sha...@mts.net>
To: WFP EDITOR <mailto:let...@freepress.mb.ca>
Sent: Sunday, July 30, 2006 11:55 AM
Subject: Arrogant IGNORANCE
The Editor
Winnipeg Free Press
Dear sir:
On the last Friday of June I attended the Critical Mass Bicycle Rally. During that ride I approached a few of the bicycle police with this greeting. "Good to see you officer. This (bicycle demonstration) could possibly have the effect of improving your working conditions." I continued with a suggestion that raising the awareness of motorists to the existence of bicycles might make the roads a bit more safe for him/her in their daily patrols.
Their responses ranged from totally ignoring my greeting, to monosyllabic rejections. One policeman actually responded with quiet disbelief showing no signs of actually being in conversation with me. I was appalled as it became clear that these members of the police, who I have found to be most approachable at other times, saw the Mass as ‘the enemy’ or were working with very watchful supervision that has identified the bicycle as ‘the enemy’.
Everyday bicyclists in Winnipeg are threatened by dangerous motorists who see the bicycle as an imposition on their territory. I choose to ride on the streets where the traffic flows at or below the speed limit and rare is the kilometer that I am not cut off, ‘buzzed’ or honked. One of the results of this environment of ignorance and aggression toward bicyclists is the Critical Mass trying to raise the awareness of city politicians.
Obviously City Hall is populated with the leaders of that ignorance and arrogant aggression.... the police, who are normally most reasonable and supportive, are during Critical Mass rides representing the leaders of this city! They are not the culprits it is their leadership that is responsible for this situation of arrogant ignorance..
If on a regular basis Mayor Katz and Chief Ewatski had decided to put an ‘undercover’ policeman on a bike, in beige shorts and a T-shirt, and to ticket aggressive drivers, instead of ticketing the bicyclists of Critical Mass in their once a month demonstration in support civilized traffic conditions, Winnipeg might actually become a better place to live.
Shame on you Mayor Katz!
Shane Nestruck <sha...@mts.net>
381 Arnold Ave.
474-2588