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Bicyclists must curb their wild ways

I am a Back Bay resident who is more likely to be seen walking or cycling than driving my car. Every day I am astounded by the dangerous things I see bike riders and pedestrians do on city streets, and am surprised that more of them don’t die as a result.

Certainly the tragic accident last week involving a truck driver and bicyclist illuminates the need to look into requiring sideguards for such vehicles (“Bike tragedy shows need for new safety measures,” Editorial, April 5). But doing so would not do anything to prevent the reckless behavior of the riders who refuse to follow the rules of the road. Every day I see them go through red lights and ride the wrong way on one-way streets. It is not possible for motorists to watch for bikes in every direction at all times.

When the first Hubway bikes appeared in Boston and Cambridge, I had mixed feelings. I was excited that the city was encouraging more cycling, but I questioned the wisdom of providing access to all these bikes without education or enforcement of road rules as part of the program.

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Bostonians are notorious for their bizarre driving habits. Cyclists must develop a culture that makes it clear that they cannot ignore the rules and ride like we drive. Without the benefit of a few thousand pounds of metal and air bags around them, they simply won’t survive.

Tracey Hughes
Boston