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Letter: Alternative ways to get arounde latest on your teams



FILE PHOTO: In this December 2015 photo, Lakeland Mayor Howard Wiggs, right, and Lakeland City Commissioners from left to right: Jim Malless, Phillip Walker, and Edie Yates, take bicycles for a spin during the dedication ceremony for Swan City Cycles, a public bike sharing program in downtown Lakeland

The Ledger

Posted Apr 10, 2017 at 12:01 AM

We are fighting wars and other tragedies over petroleum. At home, we are fighting over coal, petroleum and methane, and how it affects national security, jobs, pollutes air, water and soil and the weather. Some of us argue for alternative such as transit, not automobiles. This means riding a bicycle or other human-powered device would be superior.

In fact, replacing the automobile is so important we are oblivious that everywhere that people park, their polluting automobiles are welcome and have the right of way and alternative vehicles, such as a human-powered scooters, skateboards or bicycles, are scrupulously banned.

I know there is a logical approach. Have anyone who wants to use alternative transportation attend a training session to learn how to ride at walking speed or slower. The issue is these vehicles tend to move faster than pedestrians, and the malls face a liability issue if human-powered vehicles are allowed.

Recently I learned from Lakeland radio station WLKF AM1430 that Lakeland and several other towns in Polk County rank as some of the select towns in Florida that scored for healthiest, including bike lanes on public roads.

I would like to see Lakeland and Polk County continue to set an example in health and reducing petroleum dependence. I know we can set an example encourage alternative transit.



Daniel Barker



6339 Egret Dr.

Lakeland, FL  33809-5652

863-815-4534    whipple1078@yahoo.com


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