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A Cyclist’s
View
Toronto Star, June 9, 1938
To the editor:
Having heard so much controversy on the subject of bicyclists and
motorists I would like to voice my opinion as one who rides a bicycle
for ten or more hours a day as a telegraph messenger.
As the average motorist sees us we look to be a reckless willful lot.
We know our job, but all the casual onlooker sees is cutting in,
jamming on brakes, or whizzing round corners. A motorist somehow gets
it into his head that he has exclusive rights on the road and to stop
or slow down for a bicycle is a sheer waste of time.
This riles the boy on the bicycle to the extent that if he is given his
rights on the road he will take them anyway at the risk of danger to
everybody.
Remember that I am only talking of experienced riders and not of young
children or beginners. If the three greatest worries of drivers of
any vehicles were kept off the road there would be a lot less
accidents. These are: jaywalkers, pedestrians walking against yellow or
red lights and people opening doors on the traffic side without first
looking. (This is particularily annoying and hazardous to cyclists.)
Next time in the downtown area you see a telegraph messenger going fast
or dangerously, remember that he has full control of his wheel and also
remember that it may be on your account that he is going fast so that
he may give the best possible service.
And if motorists will remember to show courtesy to us we in
return will show courtesy to them.
A telegraph messenger
Toronto
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