E-SCOOTERS
Dear Editor,
Trying to modify the behaviour of cyclists on shared paths, with the rules, is a path too far! Who are the bike and e-scooter police, enforcing the laws governing cyclists, skateboard riders, and scooters? Where are they and do they exist?
The rule for shared paths, like the rule for sea craft, is – ‘Power gives way to sail’. Reform to the laws protecting the public from potential interactions with electric and other vehicles on pathways is hypothetical, not practical, and difficult, if not impossible, to enforce. In the case of an accident, where walkers collide with these pathway vehicles, who is there to record the incident and report? In many cases, fast getaways are the norm, especially when the incident is without witnesses.
Considering many of the elderly tend to walk on pathways, they play Russian roulette, subjected to speeding riders. Many are frail and any fall is critical. Children are also at risk on shared pathways, considering their lack of safety awareness, especially when very young. All of us have a right to walk safely on pathways open to the public. No one has a right of way, just because their mode of transport is electric or has wheels. The sea rule applies to pathways also.
The revised law for e-scooters, after many dangerous incidents involving speeding riders, has reduced the speed limit for e-scooters, to 12 km per hour. All moving vehicles need a bell or similar means of warning when approaching pedestrians. However, who is prepared to police this new status for e-scooters, knowing other vehicles on pathways more often than not, don’t use, or have a bell for warning? Speeding past walkers without warning is an accident waiting to happen.
E. Rowe,
Marcoola.
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PEACE NOT WAR
The Editor,
The Albanese government, well represented by Foreign Minister Penny Wong, is proving that we can stand up for our national sovereignty without being hairy-chested and belligerent.
As our new Treasurer Jim Chalmers said, “Our national interests in Australia are best served by peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. That means no unilateral change to the status quo. It means restraint and de-escalation. It means calm and consistent language.”
This Vietnam Veterans Day on Thursday 18th August, I will be thinking about my mates, especially those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and those who still bear the scars of that conflict.
That war is also a lesson we must heed, no one really wins wars.
Some are beating the drums of war again. If those politicians had to lead the vanguard, I doubt we would have any rumblings of war or sabre rattling.
Peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. That means no unilateral change to the status quo. It means restraint and de-escalation. It means calm and consistent language.
Ray Marx,
Bli Bli.
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CLIMATE BILL
Dear Editor,
To enhance their scientific/ climate credentials, have the Federal LNP pollies taken Don Quixote’s (1612) musings about wind turbines as policy? “…… I intend to do battle with them and slay them……and the removal of so foul a brood off the face of the earth is a service God will bless”. Just asking.
Margaret Wilkie,
Peregian Beach.
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EMISSIONS
Dear Editor,
Note to Labor, the Greens, and Independents: – The billions being spent to reduce our 1% contribution to global warming will not make a shred of difference to our climate. With China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran all behaving very badly the focus for the next decade or so should be on defence, defence, defence … and more defence!
This is from someone who has lived in Taiwan, Russia, and China …
Richard Payne,
Yaroomba Beach.
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