Billings Gazette: Letter: Cyclists, motorists must share roads safely

Sharon Olsen wrote a letter the other day about a mother biking with her two small children in the middle of the traffic lane. Conversely, nonmotorists have written in complaining about drivers’ ill-regard for bikers and walkers. The sad truth is there is egregious behavior on both sides and it’s not going to change unless we endorse safe solutions that make everyone happy. Bike lanes would be a good start. It will create more “problems” for other Billings residents by reducing on-street parking, but the benefits far outweigh the inconvenience.

Our family likes to bike or walk to school/work because it’s just a fun thing to do, and the “green” element is a plus. Our family calls riding in a single file line “ducklings” and yells it out to each other when a car approaches. This is often met with smiles from drivers and we appreciate the positive encouragement for the kids.

However, a bike lane would go a lot further in keeping our four young children safe and healthy on a deteriorating planet they’ll have to contend with when we’re all gone. To borrow a phrase from another popular Gazette letter, arguing about who is better or worse than who is “pointless and redundant.” In our hearts, we all want what’s best for our world locally and globally. C’mon Billings, let’s all take a deep breath and get behind solutions, whatever they may be.

Ceci Bentler,

Billings