Unfettered Letters

Motorcyclists must respect cars

Motorcyclists must respect cars, too. Recently I have had two separate occasions where motorcyclists have driven between — yes between — my car and another car in the next lane. This is on the highway with traffic going 60 miles an hour or higher.

The car drivers are definitely startled, and then they have to worry which lane the cyclist will jerk into. In Kansas it is even worse: no helmets.

These motorcyclists are their own worst enemy.

Rita Carpenter
Overland Park

Where are the bicycle paths?

I attended a public hearing in Jefferson City where Missouri Department of Transportation officials promised members of the Missouri Senate that MoDOT would include bicycling and walking facilities in every project around the state where appropriate.

MoDOT recently presented its plans for Route 45 through an area of Parkville lined with homes, apartments and businesses. Not a bike lane, path or sidewalk is in sight.

Can we trust MoDOT to keep its word when what it says and what it does are so different?

Brent Hugh
Executive director, Missouri Bicycle Federation
Raytown

Sharing road with motorcycles

In response to Dean Richards’ letter (4/22) about motorcyclists: I have been riding for more than 40 years and neither I nor anyone I know rides between two lines of stopped cars, or weaves in and out of traffic. I see more people in cars doing stupid stuff than people on motorcycles.

Most of the riders and drivers who do these things are young people. They all need to be more educated in operating any motor vehicle. I’m very happy to see “Share the Road With Motorcycles” messages on the Scout signs.

I belong to Freedom of Road Riders, and we are the organization responsible for these messages. We promote motorcycle safety for everyone. It is our No. 1 priority. So watch for motorcycles. They are everywhere.

Keith Cronin
Kansas City

I, for one, am quite pleased that the traffic alert boards read “Share the Road With Motorcycles.” Our group of riders takes extra measures to observe laws and remain safe, as do other groups I know. We routinely take safety courses to remain defensive, safe riders.

Although there are a few of the so-called “crazy” ones out there on bikes, there are also a few of the “crazy” ones in cars as well. I don’t see Mr. Richards requesting signs that read “Caution, Car Drivers at Play.”

Next time, Mr. Richards, try not to stereotype those of us who love to ride, respect the law and respect other drivers.

Laura George
Shawnee

Motorcycle safety

While driving south on Highway 71 recently I noticed the traffic-alert board read “Share the Road With Motorcycles.” This seemed strange to me. I had just witnessed one motorcyclist speed between two lines of stopped cars at a stoplight to shoot ahead of everyone. Before that, two motorcyclists missed our car by inches as they weaved in and out of moving traffic, traveling well over the speed limit.

This highway is becoming a playground for every idiot and hotdog on two wheels. I think “Caution: Motorcyclists at Play” would be a more appropriate message to display these days.

Dean Richards
Kansas City

A trike is not a car

In the March 3 Star (Local, “Is it a motorcycle?”), there was a picture from the Mid-America RV Show that showed one of our unique trikes. It was a great picture, but there was nothing following up on it. We are the only authorized Midwest dealer for both the U.S.-made “ScootCoupe” and the South American “Let’s Tango,” which was pictured.

The three-wheeled trike design, with two wheels in front, makes these vehicles very stable. They have passed all Department of Transportation and EPA requirements qualifying them as street-legal motorcycles in all states. Both provide excellent stability, maneuverability and durability, plus an astounding 70 to 80 miles per gallon.

We most often are asked about these vehicles, “Is it as safe as a car?” The answer is, no. They are motorcycles. But they are much safer than conventional motorcycles.

Wayne Sanderson
Motorhead’s Scoot & Cycle
www.motorheadcycle.com
Kansas City, Kan.

Motorcycle stunting

I think The Star should be ashamed of itself for writing such a lazy, sensationalistic article that is meant to alarm and not inform (12/20, A-1, “.‘Stunting’ a deadly new road danger; Treacherous tricks by motorcyclists endanger themselves and the drivers around them”).

You mention the record number of deaths in the area and in the nation, but don’t write one sentence about increased motorcycle sales or how many more people are getting their motorcycle endorsements. You didn’t differentiate between sportbike and cruiser deaths, or causes.

Stunting is not new and it is not the latest craze. Ever see “Superbikes” on the Speed channel, or the “X-Games” on the television?

You misrepresent an online forum quote that you attributed to a local sportbike rider. It is clear to me that the online forum quote was about riding in cold weather, not about stunting. You simply misquoted this person and used the quote to make it sound like the motorcyclist was terrorizing the occupants of the vehicle.

Why is this article presented now? Is it a slow news day and the editors had this article left over from summer? This article could have been more poignant in July.

Who let this poor piece of “journalism” get printed?

Mike Fields
Grain Valley

Motorcycles aren’t the problem

J. Barry’s response (11/30, Letters) to Jon Clark’s recent letter asking drivers to watch out for those motorcyclists sharing the road does more to illustrate the problem than solve it.

Using Mr. Barry’s rationale, just because motorcycles can sometimes be small and dark in color, other drivers have no responsibility to notice these legal vehicles.

Really, should we also insist pedestrians wear bright red clothing and a helmet with a rotating light before crossing the street at a crosswalk?

I really, really want to believe there are drivers out there who actually pay attention to the road when they are driving a 4,000- or 5,000-pound vehicle. As J. Barry said, “We’d all be a lot safer” if they did.

Steven Christensen
Blue Springs

Motorcycles and cars

In reference to Jon Clark’s letter “Danger on the road” (11/25): Sorry about your motorcycle problems, Jon. Perhaps I can help you understand. Motorcycles are a hazard on the roads because they are small and often dark in color. They are often unseen by motorists until they have passed you on the road.

It would be much safer if the motorcyclist wore bright clothing and had a long standard attached to the cycle topped with a red flag. We’d all be a lot safer. That would be a much better idea than a sign on the highway saying, “Be aware of motorcycles.”

J. Barry
Raytown

Motorcyclists respond

This is in response to Joan Millon’s letter (10/26) “Loud motorcycles.”

Each year, motorcyclists bring thousands of dollars to little towns that we pass through, not to mention what we do for local charities.

Granted, there are bikers who have decided to run open pipes that are overly loud. The saying “Loud pipes saves lives” is an excuse that many cruisers have taken too far.

But please keep in mind that while you find us annoying, we may be on a ride that has collected thousands of dollars for charity.

At this year’s Bikers for Babies in Kansas City, for example, there were more than 8,000 bikes, and more then $717,000 was raised.

Please keep that in mind when shopping, and look for us on the back roads and in little towns. We may be riding or raising money for someone you know.

Chris Jones
Independence

To the poor lady complaining about loud motorcycles (10/26, Letters): I’m sorry I strayed off the highway and ruined your day of shopping. Unfortunately, not many funeral homes are located on the highway, and my motorcycle and I were busy escorting a fallen U.S. soldier to his final resting place.

Ryan Cockrum
Gladstone

Loud motorcycles

Saturday was a perfect fall day for a ride into the country to browse in quaint shops and relax from the pace of weekday stress. But the entire trip was marred for us and many others who had to endure hundreds of motorcyclists roaring through the little towns.

The noise was horrific. Normal speech was impossible. The riders we saw never stopped, but just kept driving around and around.

The merchants wait all year for these few weeks of sales, but the noise drove us away.

Please spare me and others the angry barrage of letters from those who love the noise and wind in your hair. I actually know nice people who own motorcycles. And I know it’s a free world. But, like cigarette smoke, noise is toxic and is also a form of torture in many countries.

All I am asking is that motorcyclists stay on the highways or byways. Please take a moment to care about how you ruined the day for so many of us who are pedestrians and shoppers.

Joan Millon
Olathe