THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 30, 1995 TAG: 9506290212
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
Recently I was scanning the Beacon for any information that would be helpful to me in an attempt to widen Shore Drive from North Great Neck Road to 83rd Street. Being an avid bicyclist, I'm concerned with the safety of me and other bicyclists; widening Shore Drive by a mere 12 inches would be extremely helpful in protecting us from motorists who don't particularly welcome the ``share the road'' idea.
When I turned to page 6 of the Beacon June 18, I was offended by the cartoon addressing the recent child-bicycle-helmet law. I interpreted it to mean that adults who ride bicycles in Virginia Beach are lacking intelligence. To me, this view represents the impatient attitude and narrow-mindedness with which the average motorist in this area views bicyclists.
I ride my bicycle to maintain fitness and to compete in amateur competition. I will continue to ride in this area regardless of the attitude of motorists or the road conditions. I am not here to preach about all the benefits of bicycling and convert a bunch of people into full-time bike commuters. Most people are aware of the benefits, but in this modern world of convenience stores, frontage roads and interstates, most people are in too big a hurry to care.
Those of us who ride bicycles on a regular basis deal with insults, bottles, cans and middle fingers thrown at us on almost a daily basis. Ideally, it would be pleasant if none of this ever occurred; but the fact that it does will not deter us from bicycling. And just when I wondered where some of the people in Virginia Beach get their ``anti-bicycle'' attitude, I see a very biased cartoon which, to me, sums up the intelligence level of these intolerant people behind the wheel.
Scott A. Wells
Vantage Point Too bad BRAC didn't close bases in Beach
Aw, shucks. It's too bad that we didn't make the base-closings list. That way, Oceana, Dam Neck and Pendleton could be converted into public usage that promotes community well-being, sustainable industries and world peace.
1. Think of the sandy beaches and wooded glens that could be opened to family life and to a home where the deer and the antelope play.
2. Think of the bird sanctuary we could have to replace the terrifying screech of those Navy Hornets with hummingbirds and herons and Can-ada geese.
3. Think of how far that $38 million for one F-14 could be retooled into an industry to produce public mass transportation for Virginia Beach and all of Hampton Roads.
4. Think of how well those military barracks could be used as temporary shelters for the homeless and how a new industry for producing low-cost housing could be generated.
5. Think of how some of that prime waterfront property could be used to develop a technology for desalination and water conservation, whatever the outcome with Lake Gaston.
6. Think of how those Navy SEALs and other brave young military men and women who truly want to serve their country could be enlisted into a domestic Peace Corps that does community work with at-risk youth in the neighborhoods and public schools.
Is it too late to build dreams? Is it too late to ``think globally and act locally''? Is it too late to give peace a chance? Maybe not. Maybe if we make a good case to the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission it can include us in. Maybe we learn to say, ``Yes, in our back yard!'' to peacetime conversions of the military.
Robert E. Young
Fort Raleigh Drive by CNB