Grow a brain: Letters, 17 January

The Bay of Plenty Times welcomes letters and comments from readers. Here you can read the letters we have published in your newspaper today.

Arrogant cyclists resented

Janine Bollee's criticism of motorists (Letters, January 13) fails to ask why motorists have little enthusiasm for cyclists.

There is a strong argument that cyclists don't belong on our roads. So let's ask: What can cyclists do to earn the privilege of riding on our roads?

Cyclists, as cyclists, pay no registration, no road user or excise charges, no ACC levies and probably don't have comprehensive or third party insurance.

What motorists most resent is cyclists' arrogance. Not only do they want someone else to pay for their cycle lanes and their Harbour Bridge clip-ons, but they show little respect for the law. They ride on the footpath and often don't use the cycle lanes, run red lights, and ride two, three, and four abreast without consideration for other road users.

Cyclists should ride in single file (only quadruplets have an excuse to go two abreast).

If cyclists made a fair contribution to the costs of roading, they would find motorists to be less resentful and more chummy.

(Abridged)

RICHARD PRINCE, Welcome Bay

Texts

*  I do not think that the cafe owners request was unreasonable. Parents need to be more considerate when in cafes and control their children.* i Have 11 month baby. I wld take him outside if he was excesivly noisy, it's called being courteous 2 fellow diners. c'mon, grow a brain! Kez, papamoa.

*  I have 1 child and 1 on the way, yet i totally agree with the cafe owner.

* We support Providores urban food store Mt Maunganui that parents are respectful of all other patrons.

* Been in retail 4 14 yes. Am sick of slack parents who switch off while in shop. Children do what they want, while parents don't care! When told

* Well done Providores cafe for kicking out the noisy kid. Sick of parents thinking everyone wants to tolerate their'little darling'. We DON'T.

* Good on the Cafe owner who wants a noisey kid spoilng the atmosphere!

* Dont blame cafe! We have children 2 but would nt let them annoy other patrons, common sense dad!

* I totally agref with the actions of the Mount cafe owner. If parents do not control their children in cafe's, and infringe on the rights of all othe

* Agree with cafe totally. People who go to cafes & restaurants want to be able to dine in peace & not put up with irritating noisy children. Chris.

*  Athletics false starts disgraceful Children 10 years & under 1 false start a warning-2nd 1 disqualified This International ruling doesnt encourage youth