Rude bikers don’t deserve their own lanes Re: “Planned bike lanes in District put on hold,” June 29
There’s a growing arrogance amongst cyclists in D.C. that’s unhealthy for our transportation environment.
“Take off his side-view!” one cyclist yelled to me as I inline skated around Thomas Circle. However, I have to admit that I made the mistake, not the motorist.
Cyclists routinely violate traffic laws and speed through sidewalks while paying no registration fees and being subject to no licensing requirements. The city has transformed miles of roads with bike lanes and granted use of public sidewalk space to an entity (Capitol Bike Share) that only serves cyclists.
The District’s cyclist community has practically become a local special interest group that wants the benefits of influence without any of the responsibility. Canceling the L and M Street bike lanes sends the right message.
Brian Wrenn
Washington
Murder of Vietnam vet ignored by media
Solomon Reese, of Southeast D.C., a 71-year-old Vietnam vet who sold cigarettes to supplement his income, was shot and killed at the threshold of his home on June 27. Two days later, I saw nothing in The Washington Examiner about this senseless crime, nor could I find any mention of the victim in any major or local newspaper.
I don’t mean to play the race card here, but is that because he was just another black man killed in D.C.? I’ve written to President Obama several times about black-on-black crime in our nation’s capital, the most important city in the world. So far, I’ve gotten one generic reply with his signature.
Since Obama’s presidency seems to be going down the toilet anyway, he has nothing to lose by addressing an issue that’s plagued our city for years. Perhaps, as a black man, he’ll finally take a good long look out of one of those White House windows and see the senseless killings that are happening daily in his own back yard.
When will this madness end?
Pam Hairston
Washington
Progress at Rosecroft Raceway is encouraging
If there is one thing we’ve learned over the past three years, it is that there is no such thing as “too big to fail.” The Prince George’s community witnessed that reality in July 2009 when Rosecroft Raceway closed its doors.
Two years later, it’s exciting to see progress at Rosecroft. Penn National Gaming, the new owners, have already committed to investing over $12 million to purchase and renovate the racetrack. This is a great start.
We look forward to the opportunities that come next as live racing and simulcasting return to Rosecroft Raceway.
Charlie Carden
Fort Washington
