Bicyclists more than rude: they were downright dangerous

Critical Mass goes critical

Editor, The Times:

I am appalled and disgusted by the behavior of the participants in the Critical Mass demonstration ["How did bike-ride violence erupt?" Times, page one, July 27]. A driver who simply wanted to move his car, which he had a perfect right to do, was blocked by a bunch of hooligans on bicycles. When he objected, he was beaten and his car heavily damaged.

If these riders had a permit to demonstrate, why weren't Seattle police out in force to keep order? If they did not have a permit, why were they allowed to disrupt people going about their business and not bothering anyone?

As a frequent driver in downtown Seattle, I watch these bike riders break every rule in the book. They ride too fast, weave in and out of traffic, do not stop at stop signs or red lights and do not give the right of way to pedestrians in crosswalks.

Why are they not held accountable for their dangerous riding, and why are they made to look like the underdogs and allowed to cause havoc with their demonstrations? It's because the spineless mayor and Seattle City Council want to appease everyone, including these lawbreakers.

— Vincent Baldini, Issaquah

Driver should be prosecuted

I was shocked to read the news about the Critical Mass incident between the Subaru driver and the cyclists. Most of all, I was shocked and troubled to learn that the driver was not charged with a crime.

There is absolutely nothing that justifies using your car as a weapon to attack people who pose no threat to you.

— Ethan Espie, Seattle

Vigilante justice isn't justice at all

The behavior of bicyclists at Critical Mass is totally unacceptable. The correct response to the injury of the bicyclists would have been to take care of their needs first, note the license number and then let the police do their job.

The attitude that they should chase after, stop or hold the person who caused the injuries is just wrong and those involved in this violence deserve the maximum penalty under the law for their bad behavior.

These cyclists have shown contempt for the rule of law so many of them practice daily on our streets, while asserting their "right" to the road and taking what is theirs at the risk of life and limb.

— Michael Barr, Sammamish

Cyclists' behavior detracts from their cause

Last May, I participated in my first (and only) Critical Mass; I have to say that the whole experience left me with a sour taste in my mouth. The main purpose of Critical Mass is to help drivers recognize that bicyclists share the road, too.

While I found that many people involved with Critical Mass are friendly, considerate and eager to promote a positive image of bicyclists, I observed that many other members participate solely to show off their trendy bikes and purposely annoy drivers. The altercation last Friday probably occurred because of deliberate belligerence on the part of both the driver and the bicyclists.

It's unfortunate so many participants of Critical Mass are making a bad name for bicyclists and are acting in a manner contrary to their goal.

— Carolyn Bauer, Shoreline

Any point lost on this driver

A swarm of 100 cyclists taking over a Seattle street isn't a wannabe peloton or a legitimate form of advocacy, it's a recipe for trouble.

The cyclists may be well-meaning, and the driver who allegedly struck them on Friday may turn out to be a jerk, but the fact that a group of cyclists this large is able to regularly take over city streets, block cars, slash tires and cry foul when someone gets angry about it is a joke.

The dismayed cyclists ignore their own use of bikes as weapons, along with fists and knives. This tale reads like a mob gone wild. Sadly, whatever point Critical Mass has been trying to make with these rides has been lost due to the continued recklessness and short tempers.

Whatever empathy a driver like me might have for cyclists is being kicked to the curb.

— Josh Belzman, Seattle

Peaceful coexistence is the best protest

Whether the driver or a participating cyclist started the altercation on East Aloha Street last Friday, Critical Mass is ultimately to blame. Protests should be the means of last resort, not a monthly habit. By deliberately angering and provoking motorists, Critical Mass not only reduces the safety of its own members, but also of me and other "peaceable" cyclists.

I have been a bicycle commuter for more than 35 years, and have lived in many places. I have found that simply riding on the roadway has been effective in reminding motorists of their obligation to share the road.

By obeying all traffic laws and being courteous as well, I am the best ambassador for our cause.

— Thomas H. Hildebrandt, Mercer Island

Dino Rossi scrutiny

Questions haunt Dino

In the cover story about Dino Rossi in Sunday's Times ["Rossi's four years of political exile," page one, July 27], you mention how Rossi sold a fourplex for $600,000 "and suddenly had a large sum of money that he wanted to reinvest in another property in order to avoid paying capital-gains taxes." After the fact, a friend helped him invest in a large medical building in Mill Creek.

In the past, I looked into "rolling over" investment property into "like-kind" property to avoid paying capital gains. So far as I know, this can only be done through what is known as a "Section 1031 exchange" under the IRS code. To do this, however, you must have identified the property you want to reinvest in before you sell the one you currently own.

There is no indication that Rossi did this. I wonder if he did?

— Dave Miller, Issaquah

Ironic political satire

Who knew it? The Times has a sense of satire to rival that of The New Yorker. The irony of recent front pages covering the governor's race has become ever more pointed. Just look at Sunday's headline, "Rossi's four years in political exile." The word "political" coupled with "exile" oozes sarcasm.

Yes, Rossi has been without political office for four years, but even the article's subtitle hints at an active political involvement. Rossi wrote and self-published a book, which he sold at Republican and business gatherings and used as an enticement to contribute to his employer, the Forward Washington Foundation.

What did Rossi, with the help of former campaign aides, do at this foundation? According to The Times, he used Republican mailing lists and gave "speeches that sounded an awful lot like his campaign stump speeches." Let's not forget the valuable political "friends," made during the 2004 campaign. They sure had special deals for Rossi.

"Political" implies self-serving intrigue and truth-evading maneuvers, such as hiding your tax returns or finding your way around Public Disclosure Commission rules. Ironically, Rossi has been swimming in that kind of politics.

Reason enough to keep him exiled from political office for four more years.

— Mark Griswold, Mill Creek