Bring cycling proficiency test back
From: Steve Ayton, Haworth.
I READ with trepidation of the £2bn package to “boost cycling and walking” in response to Covid-19 (The Yorkshire Post, May 11).
In my experience these activities are incompatible polar opposites. For many, walking is not a choice, but a necessity brought on by a combination of age, poverty and a lack of public transport.
Sadly, those who chose to cycle often display an arrogance towards those forced to walk which is monumental in its selfishness.
They share the smug “look at me, I’m saving the planet” expression, as they drive their cycle bestrewn camper vans to remote areas in order to display their fitness credentials to largely non-existent audiences, except for the hapless walker.
Anyone on foot becomes the target of a blood sport, and is fair game to be “buzzed” for sport.
Cyclists infesting city streets display a similar attitude – they cycle on pavements because roads are too dangerous for a cyclist to navigate, and ignore traffic lights by cycling onto the pavement to avoid red lights because their journey is obviously so much more important than anyone else’s, and must on no account be delayed.
Back in the olden days you were encouraged to take a Cycling Proficiency Test, and bicycles had to be fitted with bells to warn pedestrians of the cyclist’s approach.
How about using the £2bn to set up such a scheme again, and introduce licence plates for bicycles?
From: Denis McAllister, Market Place, Leyburn.
WHILST rightly applauding our wonderful NHS workers, we should not lose track of the fact that thousands of lives (still shamefully under-reported) have been lost because of government actions or inaction.
Furthermore, once the emergency is over, we will revert to the previous situation where people wait hours for emergency treatment, months or years for operations, vital examinations are put off, and GP shortages.
The simple truth is our NHS is perfectly suited to a population of 50 million people, not 70 million. The same incidentally holds true for our roads, police, prison, council and other services.
Now is the opportunity for the Government to do something about this (The Yorkshire Post, May 9).
From: Barry Foster, High Stakesby, Whitby.
IN response to Keith Sturdy (The Yorkshire Post, May 8) re the imposition of fines for breaking the lockdown rules, and the comparisons between the four Yorkshire forces.
North Yorkshire is a large county and has a long coastal mileage. Whitby has had a fair share of visitors who should not be here, and other beauty spots also.
Whatever we say, people should not be abusing the lockdown. We are adults and should behave as such. I personally hope it continues until we are safe and sure.
From: John Pennington, West Riddlesden Hall, Keighley.
YOUR recent Editorial noted that Yorkshire can help itself, and innovate is what we are good at.
British Airways and Virgin issue warnings about their viability, and Michael O’Leary at Ryanair is never happy.
None value their customers, all are cutting thousands of jobs.
Oh so quietly Philip Meeson at Jet2 must be rubbing his hands. He intends to start flying again from Leeds Bradford Airport in mid June. Whilst the same cannot be said for the actual airport, he does value public patronage. There is one caveat, please use planes that protect our environment.
From: Ian Heszelgrave, Church Lane, Swilington.
MY dad has been a inpatient on Ward 88 for two weeks at St James’s Hospital. He is 82 years old and, due to Covid-19, we cannot visit. He was tested for Covid when he was admitted and was negative.
Last week we was informed his chest X-ray shows Covid and so was moved to Ward 93. After two days, swabs and blood tests came back negative and so moved back to Ward 88.
Now we have been told he has Covid-19 and is being moved to Ward 93.
Playing ping pong with people is just unfair, not to mention cross-infections.
From: Canon Michael Storey, Healey Wood Road, Brighouse.
I DO think that the response of The Yorkshire Post to the Government’s “efforts” to fight the pandemic has been balanced and very fair.
Hence. I agree with the Editorial in your VE Day paper (The Yorkshire Post, May 8) as regards to “the spread of the disease” – the Government’s response, thus far, is mixed at best.
The failure to test people at the required rate, the slow and poor supply of PPE items and, lastly, its failure to be aware of the dangers which have been faced in care homes in care of the elderly are evidence of “mixed at best” – a rather lenient phrase, I think.
Keep up the good work at giving us balanced views in so many ways.
From: Bob Swallow, Townhead Avenue, Settle.
REFERRING to the letter from Chris Giddings (The Yorkshire Post, May 8), I share his sentiments.
The majority of Chinese are I imagine decent, hard working folk. It is the authoritarian minority which is not to be trusted.
For heavens sake, do not let us get involved with them over the Huawei communications project.
Talk about putting your head in a noose!