Our family moved to Lincoln in 2020, but I feel that my voice and opinion have equal merit to any other resident, even those who have been here for decades.
As a cyclist who rides over 1000 miles per year on our roads in MA, more than half of which are commutes to/from work, I take offense to phrases that allude to cyclists feeling "entitled to use the roads" and people who "come down hard against bikes". It is this line of thinking that can place cyclists in harm's way on our roads. Since bikes are clearly looked upon by some as an "inferior" mode of transportation, then why give them the common courtesy you would give for any other vehicle? Frankly, this attitude is harmful and puts lives in danger. This also has next to nothing to do with the subject at hand - access for cyclists on 10 additional miles of Lincoln conservation trails. The debate over allowing bikes to access mostly flat, wide trails in conservation land is a great opportunity to allow Lincoln residents to bike more, drive less, with the additional benefit of avoiding narrow, non-bike friendly roads. It has devolved into a series of ad hominem attacks against cyclists in general, anecdotes and misinformation. I hope there are more areas in Lincoln conservation land to safely ride. Similar discussions were happening in my hometown (30+ years ago) in northern NY when I was getting into mountain biking. Thankfully, I had access to more trails than I could ride in a lifetime, despite significant opposition from some groups. It allowed me the freedom to explore the woods on my bike as a teen, learn trail etiquette, basic trail maintenance, safety, and has fostered a lifelong love of the most efficient form of human transportation. I would love to pass on what I have learned to my kids, on our trails here in Lincoln. Ethan M. Healy, MD, FAAOS 148 Lincoln Rd c. 585-820-4035 <http://voice.google.com/calls?a=nc,%2B15858204035> <http://voice.google.com/calls?a=nc,%2B15858204035> <http://voice.google.com/calls?a=nc,%2B15858204035> <http://voice.google.com/calls?a=nc,%2B15858204035> <http://voice.google.com/calls?a=nc,%2B15858204035> <http://voice.google.com/calls?a=nc,%2B15858204035>
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