To the editor:

It is a little ironic to publish an editorial about the misbehavior of local bicyclists on Earth Day. True, cyclists sometimes fail to obey traffic regulations, but then so do drivers. Scapegoating all cyclists for the misdeeds of a few sets a bad example. Anyone using a public thoroughfare must realize that a moment of inattention could lead to a serious accident and even death. We are all in this world together and a little tolerance on the part of everyone on the roads would make our town a safer and better place to live.

Earth Day should be a time to celebrate our local cyclists. If Lawrence is cited as a contributor to the poor air quality of Kansas City, it will not be the fault of local cyclists. A cyclist is part of the environment in ways beyond the imagination of drivers. We can appreciate the fragrance of the flowers along the way and wave to pedestrians we pass. We are especially familiar with the weather and know how much of a burden riding into the wind adds. Drivers are cocooned behind glass walls, which give them the illusion of self-importance and right of way.

I would ask our city commissioners to declare one day of the year Lawrence Cyclists Day. On this day we should make an effort to cycle or take public transportation to work in an effort to educate ourselves about the costs of our dependence on foreign oil.

Pye is from Lawrence.