Cyclists experience good and bad behaviour

AS a frequent cycling commuter on Portobello Rd, I have observed good and bad behaviour by truck drivers (ODT, 11.10.18).

Once, shaken by the proximity of a passing cement truck in a situation where I had nowhere to escape and feeling I was just a wobble away from death, I phoned the company and subjected the manager to what was probably an incoherent diatribe.

I have since noted an improvement in the behaviour of that company’s drivers.

When the work started on the road widening at Broad Bay earlier this year, and I observed the large number of truck and trailer units going to and from this, I must admit to trepidation.

My first experience of them, in which a unit followed me for a considerable distance before being able to pass, was a positive one. The driver left me plenty of room and did not do anything hasty.

I was so impressed by the Fulton Hogan drivers on this job I phoned their office to sing their praises.

I hope that bouquet was passed on to them. They continue to behave with courtesy and proper regard for safety. It is appreciated.

Elspeth McLean

Broad Bay

THEY say every picture tells a story, and it appears so does the photo on page 24 of the ODT of October 9.

Kitty Cresswell Riol and Geoff Wigley are shown cycling on Dundas St. The photo appears in support of an article where she considers the oneway cycleways were far from ideal.

It would appear Kitty could be breaking one of the most important cyclist safety laws, as she appears to not be wearing a safety helmet.

Does she have an exemption for not wearing a helmet? If so, this is not revealed in the article.

What action, if any, will the police be taking in what appears to be a flagrant disregard of cyclist laws? Brian Miller

East Taieri

An Easter break

SO Michael Woodhouse thinks it is marvellous one of his businessowning supporters generously paid his or her employees time and ahalf for working on Easter Sunday (ODT,

8.10.18).

It’s not even a holiday, gushes Michael. What more could a worker ask for or expect from such a generous benefactor?

Well, quite a bit back in the good old days before workers’ representation was targeted and shredded by Mr Woodhouse’s National Party predecessors in the 1990s.

Not that anyone would have been asked to give up something as precious as Easter with the family — unless of course it was absolutely necessary. In such a case, double time and a dayinlieu would be the price.

The point is we have lost the society that paid everybody fairly and allowed a lifestyle for any Kiwi prepared to work that was envied around the world.

Jack really was as good as his master, but sadly too many Jacks have become poor masters and the masters have turned into greedy empire builders.

Regardless of religious persuasion, the holidays given to us by the churches and fought for by the unions should be protected for all.

Emigrants and tourists to New Zealand should respect the traditions of the country they choose to live in or visit.

I congratulate the Dunedin City Council on its Easter trading stance.

The oneoff for Ed Sheehan was understandable, but unfortunate, as it was always going to be the thin edge of the wedge.

Of Michael Woodhouse I ask. Whatever happened to Godzone? Richard O’Mahony

Northeast Valley ..................................

BIBLE READING: For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works. — Ephesians 2:10.