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Letters from casual riders to bike commuters
San Diegans respond to last week's cover story on our city's bike paths
Open and Serving Beer
It has come to our attention that a San Diego Beer News item about the Brew Project caused some hasty readers to conclude that 57 Degrees — the Mission Hills wine bar which formerly hosted the Brew Project — had closed down, and others to conclude that 57 Degrees no longer serves beer. Neither conclusion is correct — 57 Degrees never closed and still serves beer. — Editor
Exhausted on Upas
Re: September 24 cover story, “Dangerous Bike Spots + Safer Routes”
Does this author even ride a bike? Suggesting Upas for a casual rider is terrible — even a casual car driver will get exhausted pressing the gas pedal to get up those hills!
- Roger
- Logan Heights
First Rule of Biking
I enjoyed the cover story of the September 24 issue on bicycling (“Dangerous Bike Spots + Safer Routes”). I was a little disappointed, however, with “bike instructor” Jim Baross’s five safety-first tips.
Somebody omitted what should have been the first tip, something that no bike rider seems to know: Obey traffic laws.
- Jim Boese
- North Park
Primary Mode of Transportation
Picked up your issue seeing the cover story about cycling in San Diego, and thanks very much for that!
It mentioned the OB/Mission Valley bike path, which I like very much and often use to head out to OB from downtown. Nice birdwatching along it, too, but watch for ground squirrels! Only wish there was a nicer way to get to it — just north of Old Town — other than PCH or India Street.
Now in my seventh decade, I use cycling as my primary transportation mode here, although I am fortunate since I managed to find a nearby Little Italy work studio. Really wish more people would ditch their cars, though.
Regarding the “Safety First” box accompanying the article, I would like to make a few important additions:
- Always signal to let motorists, etc. know your intentions.
- If possible, try to keep your speed up! Paradoxically this makes it easier, as you’re less of a stationary “target” relative to motorized vehicles. Obviously, this isn’t possible where there is traffic of 45mph, say, but then you should only be there if there are well-defined bike lanes or lots of extra room!
- Wear a helmet! If you’re dubious, ask any EMT.
- Sander Rosenberg
- Marina District
Bike Path Blight
Re: September 24 cover story, “Dangerous Bike Spots + Safer Routes”
Recent protests in Coronado against an expanded bike path study and plan have been met by political cowardice. Protesters have stirred up sentiment that bike paths are “like tattooing my daughters” or “painting my pristine island with graffiti.”
Many have suggested the bike paths will decrease property values, but no one on Coronado has yet to do any research on what prior studies have suggested. Several studies have suggested there is absolutely no negative impact on property values and many residents in more tolerant states have felt that bike paths enhance their ability to sell their home.
What is so disturbing is that no one ever does any research and simply makes unfounded claims. Those claiming a negative impact on home values don’t have any basis upon which to make such claims. Even if home values were affected negatively, how does that compare to the several lives lost in car-bike accidents? Doesn’t human life trump property value concerns? Maybe not in Coronado.
See “Property Value/Desirability Effects of Bike Paths: Adjacent to Residential Areas” by the Delaware Center For Transportation and The State of Delaware Department of Transportation, by David P. Racca and Amardeep Dhanju, November 2006.
- Norm Miller
- Encinitas
What’s Ivanhoe Got to Do with It?
I’m trying to make sense out of something in Eve Kelly’s Best Buys column in the September 24 Reader. She’s talking about Apple Starr Orchards in Julian. Arnold Starr, the owner, is talking about paying guests, and he says, “As far as kids go, they have to pick the low branches. If there’s one child and a parent, I can let the child have a picker for the high ones. But if you have two children, each with a picker, they’ll do Ivanhoe.”
What the hell does Ivanhoe have to do with an apple orchard? I don’t quite get how Sir Walter Scott has something to do with apple orchards. It’s been a while since I’ve read Ivanhoe in English literature in high school. If there’s something in Ivanhoe about apple orchards, I don’t remember anymore. Could somebody please explain that?
- Name withheld
- via voicemail
Mr. Starr is suggesting that two children outfitted with long pickers would be likely to treat them as weapons, a la the joust in Ivanhoe. — Eve Kelly
Denied Walk
In this week’s issue (September 24) there is a contest for tickets to see The Walk and it says the deadline to enter online is Monday, September 28. It is early Saturday morning, the 26th, and its is not on the contest webpage as it says in the Reader.
So, how does one get tickets if you are printing something that is not true? Oh well; it’s sad because if you can’t trust the Reader then who can you trust, right?
- Name withheld
- via email
The deadline to enter should have read Friday, September 25. We regret the error. — Editor
Why Question It?
Re: “Strawberry Field’s Sign Not Forever,” Neighborhood News
Once again, I must say that Carlsbad citizens have every right to solicit signatures in an effort to overturn the city council’s approval of the Caruso project. The question is why? The city council, your elected representatives, acted properly and within the existing laws to approve the Caruso project. Your city council, in the not-too-distant past, approved the following significant projects, just to name a few:
- — Westfield Carlsbad Renovation
- — The Forum
- — Desalination Project
- — Ponto Beachfront Plan
- — LEGOLAND Hotel California
- — La Costa Town Square
- — Hilton Carlsbad Beach Resort & Spa
- — Quarry Creek Master Plan
All the projects listed contributed in a major way to our tax base, to our schools, to the support of our infra-structure and protective services, to the overall benefit of the community. All were the subject of much media coverage, and all the projects were accomplished without the unrest and discord of those who now want to nullify the vote of your elected representatives.
The Caruso Project is, in all respects, a huge gift to the city of Carlsbad and our citizens — fiscally, recreationally, environmentally — as well as providing employment opportunities, both full time and part time, for our citizens and students.
I am confident that a majority of those that the opposition characterizes as “the silent majority” support the project. Furthermore, I would suggest that they are not at all pleased with the opposition’s attempt to nullify the vote that our council members cast in favor of the Caruso project. I’m sure they would not look kindly on those members of the opposition who have threatened or verbally vilified select members of our city council and citizens who publicly support the Caruso project. Many of the opposition have publicly insinuated that members of the Caruso team, council members, and other supporters have prevaricated in their statements in support of the project. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The real question regarding the opposition is how well-informed they are regarding the legal and regulatory nuances the city must conform with in the review and approval of a development project of this type, or the costs associated therewith. The majority of those involved, some of whom are not citizens of Carlsbad, nor businesses located within the city, seem to be uninformed and are simply following the dictates of varied corporate entities, unions and other negative nonprogressive thinkers.
It is indeed common these days for uninformed dissenters to speak loudly, name call, and engage in uncivil behavior.
Citizens of Carlsbad, who are indeed supporters of the Caruso Project and the perpetuation of the Carlsbad Strawberry Company, please do not sign the petition the opposition is promoting, and if you already have, ask that your signature be removed.
- Frank Whitton
- Former Carlsbad City Planning Commissioner
Here's something you might be interested in.
Letters from casual riders to bike commuters
Letters from casual riders to bike commuters
San Diegans respond to last week's cover story on our city's bike paths
Open and Serving Beer
It has come to our attention that a San Diego Beer News item about the Brew Project caused some hasty readers to conclude that 57 Degrees — the Mission Hills wine bar which formerly hosted the Brew Project — had closed down, and others to conclude that 57 Degrees no longer serves beer. Neither conclusion is correct — 57 Degrees never closed and still serves beer. — Editor
Exhausted on Upas
Re: September 24 cover story, “Dangerous Bike Spots + Safer Routes”
Does this author even ride a bike? Suggesting Upas for a casual rider is terrible — even a casual car driver will get exhausted pressing the gas pedal to get up those hills!
- Roger
- Logan Heights
First Rule of Biking
I enjoyed the cover story of the September 24 issue on bicycling (“Dangerous Bike Spots + Safer Routes”). I was a little disappointed, however, with “bike instructor” Jim Baross’s five safety-first tips.
Somebody omitted what should have been the first tip, something that no bike rider seems to know: Obey traffic laws.
- Jim Boese
- North Park
Primary Mode of Transportation
Picked up your issue seeing the cover story about cycling in San Diego, and thanks very much for that!
It mentioned the OB/Mission Valley bike path, which I like very much and often use to head out to OB from downtown. Nice birdwatching along it, too, but watch for ground squirrels! Only wish there was a nicer way to get to it — just north of Old Town — other than PCH or India Street.
Now in my seventh decade, I use cycling as my primary transportation mode here, although I am fortunate since I managed to find a nearby Little Italy work studio. Really wish more people would ditch their cars, though.
Regarding the “Safety First” box accompanying the article, I would like to make a few important additions:
- Always signal to let motorists, etc. know your intentions.
- If possible, try to keep your speed up! Paradoxically this makes it easier, as you’re less of a stationary “target” relative to motorized vehicles. Obviously, this isn’t possible where there is traffic of 45mph, say, but then you should only be there if there are well-defined bike lanes or lots of extra room!
- Wear a helmet! If you’re dubious, ask any EMT.
- Sander Rosenberg
- Marina District
Bike Path Blight
Re: September 24 cover story, “Dangerous Bike Spots + Safer Routes”
Recent protests in Coronado against an expanded bike path study and plan have been met by political cowardice. Protesters have stirred up sentiment that bike paths are “like tattooing my daughters” or “painting my pristine island with graffiti.”
Many have suggested the bike paths will decrease property values, but no one on Coronado has yet to do any research on what prior studies have suggested. Several studies have suggested there is absolutely no negative impact on property values and many residents in more tolerant states have felt that bike paths enhance their ability to sell their home.
What is so disturbing is that no one ever does any research and simply makes unfounded claims. Those claiming a negative impact on home values don’t have any basis upon which to make such claims. Even if home values were affected negatively, how does that compare to the several lives lost in car-bike accidents? Doesn’t human life trump property value concerns? Maybe not in Coronado.
See “Property Value/Desirability Effects of Bike Paths: Adjacent to Residential Areas” by the Delaware Center For Transportation and The State of Delaware Department of Transportation, by David P. Racca and Amardeep Dhanju, November 2006.
- Norm Miller
- Encinitas
What’s Ivanhoe Got to Do with It?
I’m trying to make sense out of something in Eve Kelly’s Best Buys column in the September 24 Reader. She’s talking about Apple Starr Orchards in Julian. Arnold Starr, the owner, is talking about paying guests, and he says, “As far as kids go, they have to pick the low branches. If there’s one child and a parent, I can let the child have a picker for the high ones. But if you have two children, each with a picker, they’ll do Ivanhoe.”
What the hell does Ivanhoe have to do with an apple orchard? I don’t quite get how Sir Walter Scott has something to do with apple orchards. It’s been a while since I’ve read Ivanhoe in English literature in high school. If there’s something in Ivanhoe about apple orchards, I don’t remember anymore. Could somebody please explain that?
- Name withheld
- via voicemail
Mr. Starr is suggesting that two children outfitted with long pickers would be likely to treat them as weapons, a la the joust in Ivanhoe. — Eve Kelly
Denied Walk
In this week’s issue (September 24) there is a contest for tickets to see The Walk and it says the deadline to enter online is Monday, September 28. It is early Saturday morning, the 26th, and its is not on the contest webpage as it says in the Reader.
So, how does one get tickets if you are printing something that is not true? Oh well; it’s sad because if you can’t trust the Reader then who can you trust, right?
- Name withheld
- via email
The deadline to enter should have read Friday, September 25. We regret the error. — Editor
Why Question It?
Re: “Strawberry Field’s Sign Not Forever,” Neighborhood News
Once again, I must say that Carlsbad citizens have every right to solicit signatures in an effort to overturn the city council’s approval of the Caruso project. The question is why? The city council, your elected representatives, acted properly and within the existing laws to approve the Caruso project. Your city council, in the not-too-distant past, approved the following significant projects, just to name a few:
- — Westfield Carlsbad Renovation
- — The Forum
- — Desalination Project
- — Ponto Beachfront Plan
- — LEGOLAND Hotel California
- — La Costa Town Square
- — Hilton Carlsbad Beach Resort & Spa
- — Quarry Creek Master Plan
All the projects listed contributed in a major way to our tax base, to our schools, to the support of our infra-structure and protective services, to the overall benefit of the community. All were the subject of much media coverage, and all the projects were accomplished without the unrest and discord of those who now want to nullify the vote of your elected representatives.
The Caruso Project is, in all respects, a huge gift to the city of Carlsbad and our citizens — fiscally, recreationally, environmentally — as well as providing employment opportunities, both full time and part time, for our citizens and students.
I am confident that a majority of those that the opposition characterizes as “the silent majority” support the project. Furthermore, I would suggest that they are not at all pleased with the opposition’s attempt to nullify the vote that our council members cast in favor of the Caruso project. I’m sure they would not look kindly on those members of the opposition who have threatened or verbally vilified select members of our city council and citizens who publicly support the Caruso project. Many of the opposition have publicly insinuated that members of the Caruso team, council members, and other supporters have prevaricated in their statements in support of the project. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The real question regarding the opposition is how well-informed they are regarding the legal and regulatory nuances the city must conform with in the review and approval of a development project of this type, or the costs associated therewith. The majority of those involved, some of whom are not citizens of Carlsbad, nor businesses located within the city, seem to be uninformed and are simply following the dictates of varied corporate entities, unions and other negative nonprogressive thinkers.
It is indeed common these days for uninformed dissenters to speak loudly, name call, and engage in uncivil behavior.
Citizens of Carlsbad, who are indeed supporters of the Caruso Project and the perpetuation of the Carlsbad Strawberry Company, please do not sign the petition the opposition is promoting, and if you already have, ask that your signature be removed.
- Frank Whitton
- Former Carlsbad City Planning Commissioner