Letters to the editor: High-level cycle lane the answer for Totara St

Totara Street traffic. Photo / File

With regard to the not-unexpected cost of retro-fitting a cycle lane on an already over-utilised Totara St (News, June 1).

There's a reason very few cyclists brave that thoroughfare -- it's dangerous.

Truck drivers cannot see their last axle whilst turning, their mirrors are aimed straight. Truck axles are known for catching and flipping innocent cyclists, in one case the rider was dismounted at a pedestrian crossing and the collision's resulting cartwheel snapped his brain stem.

A separation of 1.5m is minimal for safety.

Where to find this space on a crowded road? Easy - look up next time you use the toll road from Tauriko. There's a single-span, steel-lattice bridge cycleway over the road. These spans could be mounted in the air space at present occupied by power lines on Totara St.

Undergrounding the lines will improve safety and resilience, and provide the opportunity to set the cycle lane above.

The resulting high-level cycle lane will even provide a tourist attraction with enhanced views of industrial and port activities in the foreground and the Mount as a backdrop.

It shouldn't be too difficult to get some estimates, and it should get support from the transport lobby, given that it will benefit from safe lanes free of cyclists and pedestrians.

Graham Crooks
Pyes Pa

Not racist

Thank you, Christina Humphreys, for having the gumption to speak up and say what so many of us believe, but are afraid to say (News, June 4).

I totally agree with what you are saying.

It is not you being racist but, in my view, pointing out exactly what is happening in our country.

I would be more than happy to sign your petition.

Patricia Hunt
Bethlehem

Use of words

So now we are not allowed to use the word ''mufti'' any more (News, June 4).

Being a member of the armed forces, mufti was another word for civvies which normally meant shirt and tie, slacks, jacket and clean shoes - so just the opposite of dress down.

Talking of words, can I have ''gay'' back please? Back in the dim distant past I enjoyed being a ''gay'' bachelor - happy, cheerful, entertaining women in my own house.

Now it has been given an entirely new meaning.

Robert England
Pāpāmoa

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