Open Letter to Melbourne Mayor
19/1/2012
Dear Bob,
That’s right, I’ve dropped your official title. I don’t feel you deserve it, and I certainly didn’t vote for you when I did live in the City of Melbourne area.
First of all, you tried to open Swanston Street to traffic. Obviously, that was a silly idea and you finally came to your senses, and a wonderful alternative has just been opened around LaTrobe Street. It leaves space for cyclists, which are using the blue hired bikes which I recall you supporting, as well as promoting public transport (the trams) and increasing space for the pedestrians. I love it.
However, after this recent spat with Shane Warne and an unnamed cyclist, you have vowed to take on these rogue cyclists. Now, I won’t argue here, there are rogue cyclists. Just as there are stupid pedestrians and unsafe drivers.
I have seen pedestrians on their mobiles (or just not paying attention) trip over cracks in the pavement and walk into bins. I’ve seen cyclists safely, albeit it illegally, cross with pedestrian lights without dismounting (and not getting in anyone’s way), as well as zoom down a footpath and nearly knock people over. I’ve also seen cars speed past stopped trams, run red lights, try to cut between pedestrians on crossings to turn a corner and ignore their indicators. Take into account all of the possible repurcussions from these events. I do believe that cars would be the most dangerous, especially if they’re the four-wheel-drives that have never left the city. But that’s another issue altogether.
Instead of declaring war on an entire group of people, perhaps encouraging safety and acceptance by all groups for all groups, we could learn to share. Drivers and cyclists may respect each other, and pedestrians may learn some common sense (keeping to one side of the path would be ideal!)
As some of your previous ‘declarations’ have shown, nothing is to be done. There are no repurcussions for law-breaking or irresponsible behaviour; the police department would do well to regularly monitor traffic (of all forms) at major intersections, in unmarked vehicles, and hand out fines or demerits for the inappropriate actions of a minority (from all groups – cars, bikes and pedestrians).
A bit of common sense and we can all live together with respect for each other and the differences we have.
Yours,
Jacqueline
A Brunswick Resident
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20/1/12/
Dear Jacqueline
The Lord Mayor has asked that I respond to your email on his behalf.
The Lord Mayor agrees that there are many sensible and thoughtful cyclists in Melbourne.
However there are some who are not and the Lord Mayor intends to action a Blitz to make our roads and footpaths safer.
This council has also been very strict on car uses and will continue to do so, and I assure you the comments are not an attack on cyclists. They are instead a warning to those cyclists who dont respect other road users.
Thank you for taking the time to email the Office of the Lord Mayor
Kind regards [name]
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Dear [name],
I appreciate your prompt response.
It may also be worth considering that ‘action’ is not a verb. You may do, perform, watch or see a blitz, but one cannot ‘action’ something.
I look forward to hearing the next hilarious quote from our dear Bob.
J
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I apologise, the bad grammar was my doing.
You are quite right and I really should have read the email more closely before sending it.
Kind regards [name]
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Correct use of the English language is a start, although I very much doubt that it was a typo that would have been picked up by a proof-read. Sharing and caring will come later I guess.
