Death of a Cyclist

It always saddens me to read of the untimely death of a good person, and Debra Goldsmith’s death is no exception (“Cyclists Mourn Woman Killed in Accident,” April 19). Being a native of Los Angeles as well as the mother of two young children who ride bikes, I can certainly empathize with the concerns of bicycle riders in this city. But I feel I must also speak up for the motorists. I know, as a whole, we have more than our fair share of terrible, rude and unobservant drivers, but bicycle riders also need to abide by the rules of the road.

I cannot begin to count how many times my husband and I have nearly hit bike riders who feel that stop signs are posted strictly for the car drivers. I have tried talking to these bike riders, only to be yelled at or flipped off. I cringe at the thought of one day hitting a bike rider--while following the laws--while they break these same laws, feeling that because they are contributing to the well-being of our environment they are immune to the rules of the road. I hope that Goldsmith’s death can help educate all riders and drivers on our roads.

LORI THORNBERRY

Los Angeles

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I just spent 10 days in China and was quite impressed at how our bus careened forward in three major cities, blending perfectly with cars, trucks, scooters and innumerable bicycles (some with children on the front and on the rear), in what at first appeared to be a chaotic maelstrom but turned out to be a grand lesson in courtesy, sans accident, sans road rage, sans the dismissive attitude we have toward bicyclists here in America.

RUSSELL TRAVIS

Bakersfield