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Letters, 8/11: A lose-lose situation

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Monday, Aug 11, 2008 - 09:25:50 am CDT

On July 1, Nebraska state government implemented a series of structural changes designed to “improve” the disbursement and provision of mental health care to clients in need of these services. Such changes were implemented in an effort to streamline the provision of care by placing a few flagship organizations in charge of the disbursement and provision of care referrals. Although the premise behind such changes is great in theory, it will have a negative impact on clients and clinicians alike.

This new system fails to account for the individuals who are likely to get lost in the shuffle. In turn, low-income individuals who are in desperate need of psychological services no longer will have ready access to the services they require to function. Instead, they are likely to drift through life not living up to their full potential.

Although the impact of this new system on the clients is appalling, these changes also will affect the clinicians responsible for the provision of psychological services. By making a few select organizations responsible for the bulk of the provision of services, smaller groups and private practice organizations will suffer and are likely to be run out of business. This will, in turn, lead to a greater reduction in the number of available providers for the already suffering clients in the community.

Sadly, no one seems to benefit from this new system. It is my greatest hope that government officials will realize the negative impact this system will have on the community and will make changes accordingly. Until then, clients and providers alike will need to hold on and try to make the best of a less than ideal situation.

Heather Bradshaw, psychological intern, Nebraska Mental Health Centers

A sad day at the movies

My heart broke the night my husband and I went to see “The Dark Knight” at the theater. We were excited to see the movie; we had enjoyed “Batman Begins” as well. But right before it started, an adult woman came in with a little boy, about 4 years old, and sat a few rows back from the very front of the theater. The boy was carrying a Thomas the Train “blankie,” as I heard him call it, and I would suggest that watching a Thomas movie would have been a much better choice for that little guy that night.

Being a mother of a 3½-year-old son, I was so saddened to witness the senseless exposure of such a young and innocent little boy to violence, evil and horror that is far beyond his years. I just can’t even imagine bringing my son or any of his three siblings to a movie like that.

I cannot understand why more parents and mature adults don’t try harder to protect the innocence of the young children they are entrusted with. Isn’t it our responsibility to protect our children? We certainly shouldn’t be willingly exposing them to things they are too young to process and understand.

I would like to propose that our local theaters adopt a policy to help protect young children from the careless choices of the adults in their lives. Much the same way that a person must be 17 or older to attend a movie rated NC-17, it is my opinion that PG-13 movies are rated as such for a reason, and no one under the age of 13 should be permitted. If parents want to expose their children to things of this nature, make them wait a while and think about it until the movie comes out on video. Maybe, just maybe, they will change their minds and choose to keep their children innocent just a little while longer.

Stacy Decker, Bennet

Time for some respect

Regarding your editorial (July 30) supporting the Ponca Tribe’s efforts to build a casino on its own land: Congratulations! Nebraska has ripped the Ponca Tribe off throughout its entire history in our state. If you want to know how, read Helen Hunt Jackson’s book “A Century of Dishonor.” It’s time we gave them a little freedom and respect.

Geo D. Fannon, Syracuse

Try another method

If Pat Loontjer (Local View, Aug. 4) put as much energy in helping the Ponca people as she  puts in opposing gambling that is not taking place in Nebraska, maybe the Ponca would not have to resort to gambling.

David L. Foster, Brainard

Share the road

It is perfectly legal to bike on the street!

In fact, in certain parts of the city (downtown), it is illegal to ride on the sidewalk.

Not only is it legal to ride on the street, it’s safer for me. How many times have drivers nearly hit a pedestrian or a cyclist on the sidewalk as they turned into a lot or out onto the street? Drivers are not watching the sidewalk. And do you know who loses in a car/bike crash? I do; one of you hit my sister recently.

You may not like seeing me on “your” streets, but at least you can see me.

So I’m sorry my taking up a lane going 15-20 mph puts a cramp in your style. I know it’s a real hassle to slow down for three seconds to get in the other lane and go around all five feet of me. But I am just not comfortable with a few thousand pounds of metal passing two feet from me at 40 mph, so on streets with more than one lane, I will take up the outside lane.

I am even more sorry that the prospect of arriving at your destination 10 seconds later makes you want to lay on your horn and scream obscenities. It is not my fault you left late.

I am sorry you and your 15 mpg SUV are polluting our planet. I am sorry you are selling the souls of my children to Saudi oil barons.

I am sorry that you, in the comfort of your air-conditioned vehicle, will continue to drive through at Mickey D’s on the way to your couch. Way to keep America among the fattest countries in the world.

This is my alternative to paying upward of $50 to fill my tank. This is my alternative to Lincoln’s unfortunate public transportation system. This is how I get to work; this is how I go grocery shopping. I am not doing this to irritate drivers.

My bike is cheap. My bike is energy efficient. My bike is healthy.

People need to share the road!

Misha Coleman, Lincoln


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Lafferman wrote on August 11, 2008 6:32 am:
" Stacy,

when my wife and i went to the dark knight we saw many children that were probably 3 and under. we too were just shocked that any parent would take there kid to such a movie. it really shows where parents priorities are when they do things like this it would only take 2 seconds to read anything about the movie to realize that it was a very adult movie. we go as far as to even stop watching anything that we don't want our 2 year old to see even when we are at home it's just not worth it. people need to step up and start being real parents. plus with the tv off i get to play a lot more with my son it's not a bad trade off. "

 leon wrote on August 11, 2008 6:46 am:
" Amen Misha. I love your letter. Remember, you are not impeding traffic, you are traffic! "

 Sean wrote on August 11, 2008 6:54 am:
" Great Stacy...another booster of the Nanny State. I propose we nip the whole thing in the bud. We test and license people before they become parents. It wont catch all the incompetents but at least we'll reduce the number of casualties they create. "

 Michael Sinclair wrote on August 11, 2008 6:58 am:
" In Response to Misha Coleman's "Sharing the Road":
I can not agree with her more. The past couple of weeks biking to work downtown from West Lincoln where I live have been a real eye-opener for me. Not only is Northwest 48th Street the most non-pedestrian friendly road you will find anywhere this side of the Missouri, but many of the drivers who "own" the road are just as vigilant. I have been cursed at, honked at, gestured at, and nearly run over many times each day on my 10 mile commute into town.
The city of Lincoln hails itself as a "biker-friendly-town" because of it's extensive trail system...which unfortunately only services a small portion of the city. Meanwhile the rest of us risk our lives each day just to make a living.
Instead of increasing the number of high-speed lanes and decorating medians with poppy-mallows,the city of Lincoln would be doing a much greater service by providing safe passage for ALL its citizens who travel, whether it be by car, bus, motorcycle or bicycle.
Indeed...please share the road. "

 Huh wrote on August 11, 2008 7:31 am:
" Misha, did you know that by going slow in the flow of traffic causes people to make unnecessary manuevers to avoid running over you? You have every right to ride with the traffic, but KEEP UP WITH THE TRAFFIC. "

 for all the bke whiners wrote on August 11, 2008 7:42 am:
" when your vehicle taxes match mine, and help pay for the streets, then you can have free reign on the road. Til then get out of my way! "

 daily bike commuter wrote on August 11, 2008 8:07 am:
" It might be useful for some people to read what the Lincoln Police Chief recently has to say in his blog about sharing the lane with bikes:

Here's the link: http://lpd304.blogspot.com/2008/07/share-road.html "

 Mike wrote on August 11, 2008 8:10 am:
" A pedistrian has the right away when crossing the street. A person on a bike who IS NOT walking accross the street with their bike DOES NOT have the right away. Bikers seem to complain about this, but bikes move along much faster than people walking. Many bikers do not follow the rules of the road, but are the first to complain about drivers.
I'm sorry you have to ride your bike while I am sitting in McDee's drive through in my air conditioned and heated SUV. And since when did you become the mother to all the souls around? Sorry, but that job is not your responsibility. "

 SB wrote on August 11, 2008 8:14 am:
" But I saw a bike rider once who didn’t stop at a stop sign for a full three seconds, therefore you lose all your road rights. "

 Jody P. wrote on August 11, 2008 8:16 am:
" Just wondering if it's also legal for 99% of bikers to ignore traffic control devices? Misha, any thoughts on that? "

 Dear Misha.... wrote on August 11, 2008 8:29 am:
" I respect your decision to bicycle downtown, I really do..... However--many bicyclists, run red lights, don't stop at stop signs.... Bicyclists seem to want the 'same rights' as drivers on the road, however they want to proceed through intersections like jaywalking pedestrians....

Just because I drive to work, does NOT mean I drive an SUV nor does it mean I drive through Mickey D's on the way to my couch...

If your trying to get your point across, you will get more results out facts rather than snide comments. "

 Self Righteous wrote on August 11, 2008 8:34 am:
" I don't care about you and your bike, or your justifications, get on the empty sidewalk, or I will probably hit you. End of story. "

 No kidding wrote on August 11, 2008 8:37 am:
" While I doubt restricting children from PG-13 + movies will save their innocence (they will be home with the babysitter watching a CSI, Sopranos, Sex and the City marathon) I agree they should still not be allowed in the theater! At the very least, not at the later showings.

Why do parents think they can sit there and allow their kid to scream and cry and yell for 2 hours? If an adult acted that way, I would punch him in the head. But when a kid does it, everyone is supposed to be tolerant. If you have kids, leave them at home!

I went to see Wall-e, and expected to be in a theater full of kids. I wasn't. It was mostly adults. I went to see Batman, and expected to be in a theater full of adults. You guessed it, it was mostly kids (6 to 12 I would guess) and screaming infants.

This is why I got Netflix. I am fed up paying through the nose for theater tickets, popcorn, sodas, etc... and in the end I cant even hear the darn movie. And parents, this goes for restaraunts too. Keep your infants and badly behaved brats at home. I dont pay 20$ for a nice meal to hear your kid scream and cry. "

 Ramone wrote on August 11, 2008 8:38 am:
" I agree with everything Misha has said ... however, it should be noted while not all drivers are as bad as suggested, not all bicyclists are as courteous as Misha. Many ignore traffic laws and endanger not just themselves but others on the road. I will continue to keep an eye out for cyclists since they are harder to see and share the road but hopefully other cyclists will learn to share the road they just also abide by the rules of the road as well. "

 beerorkid wrote on August 11, 2008 8:40 am:
" Misha, you might want to check out Chief Casaday's article on sharing the road.
http://lpd304.blogspot.com/2008/07/share-road.html

I bike to work year round and love a good online comment battle, but I found your article a bit mean spirited towards drivers. "

 JohnK wrote on August 11, 2008 8:49 am:
" Oh come on, you don't expect people to, you know, parent, do you? Just because they've had children why should they have to make any sacrifices of their entertainment? And to whoever threw out the ol' "Nanny state" term, when someone won't do their job (this example being parenting) then it's obviously up to someone else to do it. For the sake of the many I don't want little kids growing up with violence because their parents are too stupid to keep them away. "

 Edgar Pearlstein wrote on August 11, 2008 8:53 am:
" Mr. Coleman could have added: a bicycle doesn't pollute, and doesn't take up a parking space. "

 theatre worker wrote on August 11, 2008 8:57 am:
" Stacy, the MPAA ratings are guidelines not laws. A PG-13 means parental guidance suggested. While it is not your choice to take your smaller children to the Dark Knight, it is not your call if someone else does. They are the ones that make the poor decisions and have to deal with the nightmares and other consequences. There was plenty written about the Dark Knight and that it wasn't a kid's movie. I'm glad that you guard your children against such things. More people should monitor what their kids are watching and doing. However, it is their parent's job-not the movie theatre's responsibility. Personal responsibility is everyone's obligation. "

 CS wrote on August 11, 2008 9:07 am:
" The MPAA sets the ratings and the local theater already enforces R movies (at least the Grand does) by making the parents go into the auditorium with the kids, not just showing up to buy the ticket and then go to some other movie. They also have a book that is signed by those over 17 if they are not the parent (think older sibling or friend) and try to accompany a minor into an R movie so if the parents call later and are upset the theater can then show the parents that the minor was accompanied. I'm not really sure what else you expect them to do-they are not responsible for babysitting your children, they are responsible for showing movies. PG-13 has not disclaimer stating that a view MUST be 13 or accompanied by a parent like R and NC-17 does. You are misplacing your concern-if you want the ratings changed and enforced then you need to petition the MPAA, not the local theaters. "

 CS wrote on August 11, 2008 9:28 am:
" If Misha owns a car and does not drive, her taxes are subsidizing your driving. If you think your vehicle taxes are all that pay for the roads, you are sadly mistaken and have little idea what that money actually does. Most road funding comes from general funds, not taxes on vehicles-that goes to the schools. There is nowhere near enough drivers to pay for the roads exclusively. I pay taxes for two vehicles, but I ride to work, so I guess Ill take care of Misha's portion for you, if she doesn't own a car or property. Feel better? "

 Gary wrote on August 11, 2008 9:31 am:
" Misha, what you dont under stand and so many people of the United States dont understand is that you are a minority, there is nothing wrong with minorites, but since you are a minority your the one that needs to make the sacrifices, not the majority, if you dont like riding on the streets with a "few thousand pound pieces of metal", then dont! Its your decision, but dont put blame on us who do drive them and maintain all laws, if you cant keep up with traffic, dont drive in traffic. it is Simple! It is great that your all high and mighty and green and saving the earth and all, but by me driving my SUV on the road, guess what I am not breaking any laws and its my decision, and I am a majority, and I am sorry but majority rules. "

 CS wrote on August 11, 2008 9:35 am:
" Really, Jody? A WHOLE 99%? Is that a statistical number? I think if that was put to the test you would want to reconsider. As for slowing down traffic, most of Lincoln is 35 and I can do 35 on my bike-that whole ten MPH less than you really isn't slowing you down because Lincoln traffic never gets up to speed anyway, thank to the lights. If you are so worried about bikes crossing the cross walk, keep in mind that for every uneducated rider is a another that is sitting in the lane, waiting at the stop light THAT NEVER CHANGES BECAUSE IT DOESNT KNOW THEY ARE THERE. This usually results in me having to wheel over to the sidewalk, press the button and than walk my bike across the street, then rejoin traffic at some point because I ride almost exclusively on the street, including big bad streets like Pioneers and 48th. As a vehicle you can see me and I can see you. As a biker on a sidewalk I endanger pedestrians and, as previously stated, break the law in some parts of Lincoln. "

 Avid cyclist wrote on August 11, 2008 10:15 am:
" The whole cyclist/driver relationship is simple, yet unending. Drivers need to be courteous and understanding. Cyclists need to follow the rules of the road.

With that said, there will always be friction between the two groups because not every driver will be courteous and not every biker will ride within the rules. So on it goes...

One thing that is changing and going to continue to change is more cyclists taking to the road due to gas prices.

Each has their own strong opinion, depending on what side you fall. Bottom line: we're all humans so lets take care of each other no matter our mode of transportation.

One thing is for sure: insults and stereotypes isn't the way to improve the relationship. "

 Jack wrote on August 11, 2008 10:15 am:
" While I agree with Stacy's opinions regarding children at the movies, having yet another Big Brother restriction and enforcement is not the answer. I for one would like to see a Big Brother inact a law requiring adults to have a LICENSE TO BEAR CHILDREN. "

 Hum wrote on August 11, 2008 10:34 am:
" How can anyone point the finger at the mother with the little child at
the horrible movies when the finger pointers aren't setting an example
EITHER!! If people wouldn't go to those movies we wouldn't have all the
crime. Its a fact, certain people act out what they see at movies. Even
little children have to be like Hanna Montana and etc. Until adults set
an example and quit going and encouriging those kind of movies, then you
don't have anything to talk about. My parents went to very few movies in
their life time and our family was always in church on Sunday nights while
ALL my classmates went to the Saturday and Sunday night movies. Result -
EVERY ONE of my classmates have been in all kinds of trouble, divoriced
umpteen times and have had to live very sad lives. Maybe you should look
in the mirror before critizing everybody else!! "

 Drivers Education Teacher wrote on August 11, 2008 10:40 am:
" It is legal to ride a bicycle on the sidewalks in Lincoln (a lot of municipalities don’t allow this for riders over the age of 13) but it is illegal to ride across the crosswalk. City ordinance clearly states that a crosswalk is for the exclusive use of pedestrian traffic. The main reason for this is because most (over 90%) Car/Bike accidents happen when a cyclist is crossing a driveway or Crosswalk. Sidewalks just are not as safe as riding in traffic where they are visible to cars entering the road.

When I moved to Lincoln the first thing that surprised me was the number of bicyclist riding on the sidewalks. I can see why people have the perception riding off the road on the sidewalk would be safer but the Local and national statistics just don’t support it. Even in cities like Madison WI (similar size and demographic as Lincoln) witch has hundreds of miles of Bicycle lanes and most people ride off the sidewalk, most of the collisions are when a bicycle is crossing a driveway (Cars are requires to stop before the sidewalk when leaving ALL driveways) or when in the crosswalk.

The bike trail system in Lincoln is phenomenal but for commuting to work, school or shopping it just isn’t practical. The fact they can’t take people the most direct way to there destination and you are required by Law to stop and walk your bike across every street the best and safest option for commuting cyclist is to be in the street where they can be seen. "

 Yes wrote on August 11, 2008 11:03 am:
" Hats off to Misha Coleman for a great letter! "

 Alan wrote on August 11, 2008 11:46 am:
" Heather, I'm sure there are many people needing mental health services whom are not receiving them. I'm also sure that there are many people receiving services that don't need them. The fact is that government has no responsibility or even the legal right to provide any such services despite how well intentioned it may be. As mental health services achieve parity the provision of those services will become a budget buster.

Misha, I'm a driver and a biker so I see both sides of the issue. When I'm on my bike I follow the same rules as when I'm in my car. I don't run stop signs or stop lights. I don't cut in front of the line of cars waiting for the light to turn forcing them to pass me in the intersection. When riding at night I use my light and flashers. It's my life, I’m responsible for looking out for it. A principled stand against a car is a losing proposition. As my boxing coach told me, "Defend your self at all times." "

 Michelle wrote on August 11, 2008 11:57 am:
" Stacy, although i completely agree some people taking kids to those types of movies are morons, and I have a three year old and havent even attempted taking her to a kids movie yet. She wont even sit thru an entire Disney movie at home. I am also the first one in the theatre to tell that parent to leave because I just blew 40.00 on that movie to enjoy, I found a sitter. Or go and complain to the theatre manager. I dont think that the theatres can police this though. Some people dont have a clue when it comes what is going to really tick off other people, and that kids see more violence in their younger years than they should. I would love to say, Heath Ledger made that movie. Period.

Mischa, wow, you seriously attacked ALL drivers, you catogorized us all as evil doers, I drive a car that gets close to 40MPG, I watch out for bikers of all kinds. I dont think you are all idiots who fly down the sidewalk of downtown and try to run me over as I walk to work. Settle down a bit ok? "

 Actually wrote on August 11, 2008 12:14 pm:
" Drivers Education Teacher, it is illegal to ride a bicycle, skateboard, rollerblades and the like on the city sidewalks bound by K to R, 9th to 17th streets. You may be able to ride other places in Lincoln on sidewalks but it is forbidden in downtown. "

 realist wrote on August 11, 2008 12:19 pm:
" Hey misha, seriously. car vs bike or bike vs bike/pedestrian. Get real, bikes belong on the sidewalk. Hey why don't we just begin teaching little kids to ride in the street too since it is safer. "

 Nina wrote on August 11, 2008 12:45 pm:
" I applaud Misha's efforts, but she assumes much she doesn't know. Stop at McD's on the way to the couch? That's pretty condescending. She is correct on her rights as a bike rider, but along with her bike being cheap, energy efficient and healthy, my main concern is only that her bike is VISIBLE. I've driven in Lincoln traffic at night, coming up behind bikes that had only a tiny rear reflector to show where they are. Common sense tells me that despite people's best intentions to drive safely, such an ineffective mode of lighting could be missed, especially with the bright lights of oncoming traffic. "

 cant believe it... wrote on August 11, 2008 1:04 pm:
" Unfortunately, the policy changes Heather refers to are not mentioned.
Currently provisionally licensed (by the state) clinicians are able to provide services in a variety of agencies and provide supervised, cheaper
care for clients. The policy changes proposed may ultimately cost consumers (and by inference state taxpayers as well) more. It would behoove the Lincoln Journal Star to interview a few non-flagship organizations to see what kind of facilities they might be forced to close in response to this change and whether the State is truly being responsible to all of it's citizens. "

 CS wrote on August 11, 2008 1:17 pm:
" By ordinance in Lincoln, and in most places, the bike must have an active rear light of some kind. Now, as to the enforcement of that, well, between 'disorderly houses' and 'kids climbing trees', and 'people leaf blowing', I'm sure LPD has their hands full. Maybe if people didn't call them all the time for frivolous stuff they could focus more on traffic enforcement and vehicular code issues. "

 mitchy_v wrote on August 11, 2008 1:21 pm:
" Respect needs to go both ways. Drivers need to give bikers room, and bikers need to give traffic room to get by instead of holding everyone up. "

 Analyze before action wrote on August 11, 2008 1:31 pm:
" People who ride bikes on the road either don't have a valuable life, or they don't value their lives. One should perform a profit-maximization analysis using projected future earnings (discounted using historical CPI data) and the average rate of bicycle incidents as they relate to medical bills and the loss of life in order to determine whether they should be riding bikes to work. If, through the analysis, you determine that it is cheaper to ride your bike, you, my friend, have a meaningless career. "

 JB wrote on August 11, 2008 1:42 pm:
" I'm going to blow your mind Misha... hold on to your hat.

Yesterday morning, I biked 25 miles in about 1 hour and 1 minute according to my Garmin, just for fun. Then when I got home, I immediately put on my running shoes, and ran 5 miles in just under 40 minutes. Then when I got home from that (and this is absolutely NO JOKE at all, which is why I find it funny), I hopped in my Chevy Suburban that gets about 12 miles to a gallon (and costs WELL over $100 to fill), threw on the air conditioning, and drove to McD's to buy a #2 and one of those huge coffee things they sell for 2 bucks! I do that at least twice a week.

I bet you anything you want to bet that when I try my hardest, I can blow you away in either a run, a bike, or a duathlon (I do lots of those). I also bet you anything that I'm more "healthy" then you are. And I absolutely LOVE my SUV (in which I can fit me, my wife, and all three of my kids, plus our dog and a couple of kids friends if I want), about as much as I love McDonald's food.

The big difference between you and I (aside from the fact that I'm faster, and in better shape then you) is that I don't think I'm better then anybody else. I do it for ME and nobody else.

Care to rethink your generalization? "

 dish wrote on August 11, 2008 2:44 pm:
" look out! JB is taking over the world. Do you stop at McDonald's between your 8 minute miles? "

 Neo wrote on August 11, 2008 2:53 pm:
" Stacy - While I agree that the Dark Knight was not a movie for kids, why does it bother you so much that a parent made a decision that is different than the one you would make? "

 Cole wrote on August 11, 2008 3:03 pm:
" Widening, street improvement projects, traffic lights, wheel tax, parking enforcement, traffic engineering, registration fees, gasoline tax, speed limits...

Any way you slice it, our infrastructure is designed for vehicles with four or more wheels. Bicycling has no place taking up a lane on a major artery during rush hour. It's simply dangerous to place yourself on a tiny contraption and travel half the speed of everyone else.

Bicycling is healthy, eco-friendly and fun. I just know I'd be lying if I told you I didn't get angry slamming on my brakes and playing that game to get around a cyclist in thick traffic. I won't swear, gesture or try to run you over, but there's got to be a better way. "

 CS wrote on August 11, 2008 3:48 pm:
" Then have petition to have the laws changed so that bikes are not classified as vehicles. Problem solved-but don't complain about the increase in tax money requests for someplace to ride them all, either. As it is you have a legal obligation to share the road with me, as I do you. Complaining about me riding doesn't really address your issue, does it, nor does it contribute anything productive. Score me =1 for doing what is legal, score you all = 0 for not exercising your right to change things. Why should I actively give up my vehicular status? "

 kjbclg wrote on August 11, 2008 4:02 pm:
" Oh Misha,

Why in the world would you drag down the SUV world or drivers when in fact ALL cars (regardless of MPG)that use gas pollute the air including your car you drive when you aren't saving the earth riding your bike. "

 mental health wrote on August 11, 2008 4:07 pm:
" Well, it looks like the state of Nebraska needs to relearn the 'oops, I figured it out too late' again for the 50th time when mentally ill people are considered at least somewhat incompetent for a reason, mental illness can be related to dementia in many cases.. I really think it is a very sad day in this state, our governer and Jon Bruning are single-handedly washing their hands of the needy here.. "

 Outside the Box wrote on August 11, 2008 5:13 pm:
" I love cycling to work, and am patiently waiting for the weather to cool so I can arrive with a dry shirt.

I am aware that it is perfectly legal, and likely safer for me to ride on the street. However, you couldn't pay me enough to ride some streets - 56th, between South & Randolph for example - where the street was never widened to accomodate a higher volume of traffic. Riding on the street in places like this puts me and other motorists at risk and cancels out a normally stress-free commute.

Bottom line: Motorists need to share the road and be aware of their surroundings. Cyclists need to obey the rules as if they were driving and never assume a motorist sees you. "

 SRO wrote on August 11, 2008 5:18 pm:
" I think theaters should offer child care (for the price of a movie ticket). Unfortunately, I believe some parents can't find sitters (or don't want to find one) so they just bring their kids to the movies, too.... TDK was SOOO loud and disturbing; there is NO reason a small child should be watching that movie... It's really sad when parents can't seem to forego their wants (e.g., going to see a movie) for the good of their children.... It's a selfish, selfish world... "

 I disagree wrote on August 11, 2008 5:39 pm:
" the longer you wait to introduce a human being to reality and entertainment-style reality the harder it is to adjust to the difference. its just a psychological fact. Its why we have people emulating the entertainment. I saw Frankenstien at about 5. I knew the slow walking ugly guy with his arms out in front of him was not real. "

 GeneC wrote on August 11, 2008 5:56 pm:
" What you fail to realize with your cost/benefit analysis is that the majority of dedicated bicycle commuters are professionals working in a professional field.

Perhaps their cost benefit analysis just pointed to the fact that using the most efficient vehicle ever invented and not paying for gym time was a far better way to both get to work and preserve their heath and precious limited resources. "

 CS wrote on August 11, 2008 5:57 pm:
" You are joking, right? If you expect the theaters to do child care for the price of a ticket, I can't wait for all the sitters in town to up their prices too. Where, exactly, in the theater, would all these children stay, and at what price increase that you would accept for the extra accommodations to have first aid trained staff, child care trained staff, etc? This is starting to get ridiculous. "

 Cole wrote on August 11, 2008 6:30 pm:
" CS - I'm responding to the letter - it's not an unsolicited complaint. I'm perfectly aware of the law and my right to petition. Someone (not you) wrote a one-sided, snippy opinion and I gave what I thought was a rational response. CS=100, everyone else=0. Happy? "

 ML wrote on August 11, 2008 9:36 pm:
" Bottom line is, if you bicyclists want my respect you are going to have to earn it! By running red lights, or blowing through stop signs just because it is clear, you are not getting very far. And snotty little letters to the editor putting down all drivers certainly isnt the answer. "

 Bikes and a lb car wrote on August 11, 2008 9:57 pm:
" While I understand the wants and desires of Bike Riders and they do have the right to share the road, its best to let the 3000 lb car or suv have its way. When I lived in CA I saw some rather tragic accidents. Most could have been avoided if both parties had been willing to share the road, but if they won't let them have it! Its not worth your life!!!

On a more personal note I think that Bike route in downtown is a disaster waiting to happen. I've seen people in Cars and Suv's talking on there Cell phones and not realizing someone is in that BIKE lane. Whoever thought that idea up should have to Ride in that nearly get hit a few times a day. "

 Misha wrote on August 11, 2008 10:36 pm:
" If my tone was a *bit* offensive to drivers everywhere, I do apologize. I
was relatively shaken from an accident involving my cycling sister and a truck last week. (She was on the sidewalk, "where she belongs" by the by. Not in a crosswalk. On the sidewalk. And could you imagine getting off your bike at every intersection? My 40 minute ride to work would transform into something entirely unreasonable.)

This letter was originally addressed to the angry drivers of Lincoln; so many of you are exceptionally courteous, and I am very grateful to you. I try to show you the same respect out there. (I would be a fool not to out there on the road. I am old enough to know not to push bigger kids around on the playground.)

A combination of safety and legality is of utmost importance. I do not condone breaking the laws of the road, for any vehicles, bikes, cars or otherwise. This keeps us all safer and happier.

I probably took more pot-shots than I ought, but I believe my point stands. Biking is efficient, clean, cheap, and healthy. I am within my legal right to do so on the road, provided I follow the rules anyone else adheres to. The road is, by my estimation, the most visible, safest place for me to ride my bike. Perhaps a bit annoying for motorists, but until a better alternative is put into place, I intend to continue to ride on the streets.

I respect your decision or need to do otherwise, but please, respect my decision as well.

PS: Thank you to dailybikecommuter and beerorkid for the link to Chief Casady's blog on the subject. It was most insightful and informative. And so much more level-headed than my letter. :) "

 Youre all crappy drivers motorists and cyclists wrote on August 11, 2008 10:48 pm:
" Where are all these law abiding motorists? I don't see them. The majority of motorists break speed limits, treat stop signs as yield signs, pull past stop ligns, run red lights (oops im sorry i mean "orange"), can't properly execute a right or left hand turn because they have too much speed, and don't use turn signals (properly, or at all). I don't get it. Most people are bad drivers whether they're in a car or on a bicycle.

Not being able to maintain the average speed of motorists is not breaking the law. As a faster moving vehicle, its the motorists duty to pass safely. Slower moving vehicles do not cause faster moving vehicles or make dangerous maneuvers. Bad drivers make bad maneuvers. When a driver passes me on the left into oncoming traffic I made them do that? No, the driver had a choice. Either slow down and wait for oncoming traffic to clear, or proceed into left lane anyway and violate the oncoming vehicles right of way. Many people choose to violate the ROW of their fellow drivers in order to pass me when they could have slowed down. It is not illegal to touch your brake pedal.

Share the lane only applies when a lane is wide enough to share. If a car and bicycle will not fit side by side with a 3 foot buffer between them and 2 ft between bike and edge of roadway, then its too small. At that point it doesn't matter where in the lane a bicycle is. A car will still have to put some part of their vehicle in the other lane to get around. "

 Mom of wrote on August 11, 2008 10:51 pm:
" To CS and SRO--theatres offering childcare wouldn't be much different than the casino over in Council Bluffs offering drop-in childcare (which they do). It's pricey (probably $5-10 an hour per child) but it has well-trained CPR certified staff and is a blast for the kids as it offers video games, toy areas and large play spaces. So it is possible--whether or not a theatre could make enough money to operate one, that I don't know. "

 CS wrote on August 12, 2008 7:46 am:
" Having seen the margins under which they operate (Douglas, not Marcus, yet) it would not be possible without losing staff or raising prices. They do not operate under a multi million or billion dollar operational budget, and while people will always gamble, you do have some choice in what movies you see, thus affecting the theaters' bottom line. It is a neat idea, but one which, like many great ideas faces hurdles that I don't think Lincolnites are ready to surmount. Disneyworld has drop in day care too, for 14.00 per kid per hour with a 4 hour minimum, for example. Do you really expect those in Lincoln to pay that? Doubtful at best, and it would get spun as yet another 'us vs. the theatre' rant that would play out in here and all over town in the court of public opinion. "

 SRO wrote on August 12, 2008 8:06 am:
" there ARE theaters out there that DO offer child care....so, before you start spouting off you may want to do a little research. "

 Concerned wrote on August 12, 2008 8:22 am:
" The past two R rated movies I have been at, Step Brothers and Wanted, both had young children in them. It makes me very sad to know that these parents don't have the common sense to not take their children to these movies. If they can't even make an adult decision about what movies their children should be exposed to, I can't imagine how they will nuture a child to be a responsible member of society. Wanted was incredibly violent and sexually graphic. Step Brothers had very vulgar language. I too was sickened by the parents who took their children to these movies. I agree that any movie rated R or PG-13 should not allow anyone under the designated age into the theatre, parent or no parent. "

 soccermom wrote on August 12, 2008 8:56 am:
" When my husband and I were young and poor and we wanted to see a movie that we could not take our children to because they were too young and we could not afford a babysitter, we waited for the video to come out. Unfortunately too many people do not want to have to wait for what they want regardless of what it is. "

 BicycleMike wrote on August 12, 2008 10:37 am:
" As a year-round bicycle commuter I found Misha's comments rather mean spirited. Misha you don't speak for me and your comments only further the bicycle/motorist divide. Further your letter really had no viable point other than to give the middle finger to motorist. Motorist as well as bicyclist violate the law so you might want to be a bit more humble. Motorist... just because of Misha's comments don't take it out on me when you see me riding down the street, I'm eager to share the road with you as I hope your willing to share the road with me. "

 CS wrote on August 12, 2008 11:05 am:
" I did not speak for all theaters, I spoke for our local ones. I suppose in larger metropolitan areas, or Mall based complexes this might be a viable option, but I doubt that many people will pay the extra on top of gas, parking, and tickets just to go to a movie, therefor its probably unsupportable here as a business model. If it worked everywhere, it would already be here. I DID do some research on this, as well, so as not to sound like i'm 'spouting off'. My spouse is an asst. manager of a movie theater and sees the numbers. Florida, Long Island, and Okalahoma City are a long way from NE and cities the size of Lincoln. "

 I did analyze before action wrote on August 12, 2008 11:38 am:
" What I discovered was quite the opposite of what "analyze before action" insinuates without stating any facts. In terms of mileage, it's roughly twice as dangerous to bike than to drive. But that figure is misleading because people tend to drive much further than they bike. If you compare on a per-hour spent driving versus biking basis, for every million hours spent cycling the fatality rate is 0.26, compared to 0.47 deaths per million driving hours. Therefore, driving a motor vehicle has nearly twice the risk of fatality as riding a bike for a given duration.

That doesn't factor in the health benefits of regular exercise through cycling. According to a study by the British Medical Association, the average gain in "life years" through improved fitness from cycling exceeds the average loss in “life years” through cycling fatalities by a factor of 20 to 1.

And there's an impossible-to-measure aesthetic benefit--I get to enjoy my surroundings much more traveling by bike than by car. Your mileage may vary, pun intended, but I really appreciate the city more when I interact with it on a bike. "

 natefrog wrote on August 12, 2008 11:56 am:
" Yes, you have the legal right to ride on any street, even very busy ones with 45 MPH or higher speed limits. That doesn't mean it's not a stupid idea to be driving at half the speed or less of traffic, especially if there are side streets that would work perfectly for you. When I lived on 17th, I never rode my bike down the main street to get to downtown. It's plenty easy to use 15th or 18th. Purposely riding your bike down the street to assert your "rights" is nothing more than willfully trying to antagonize other drivers. "

 Mike wrote on August 12, 2008 12:01 pm:
" Bottom line is, if you drivers want my respect you are going to have to earn it! By speeding, not signalling turns or lane changes, or rolling through a right turn just because it is clear, you are not getting very far. And snotty little comments in response to letters to the editor putting down all cyclists certainly isnt the answer.

See - it's fun the other way too. "

 Chris wrote on August 12, 2008 12:01 pm:
" Amen Misha. You are spot on with everything you said! "

 Just a thought. wrote on August 12, 2008 1:00 pm:
" I am an avid bicycle rider. I don't own a car ((BY MY CHOICE)) and I ride each and every day. Rain,sun,snow or bitter cold. I don't care that there are folks driving and SUV to McDs'. That is THEIR choice. Much like mine is to ride a bike. I won't knock them for that.

The folks that I WILL take a stab at are those that seem to think that, because they are on a bike, the traffic rules don't apply to them. I have seen numerous violations when I am out riding. Running red lights, failing to come to a stop at all in most cases. Darting in and out of cars WHILE they are rolling.

To THESE folks I say...do you have ANY idea what this is doing to everyone else that rides???? Probably not.

Now, I am not going to say that I am perfect when it comes to riding. I am sure that I have broken a few laws while I have been out. But I do STOP at lights and signs, and I don't dart in and out of traffic.

Maybe ALL the bicycle riders out there would take notice IF the Lincoln Police Department would take the time to patrol the bike paths from time to time and actually SEE what happens around town. "

 Scott wrote on August 12, 2008 1:04 pm:
" Come on people, you're showing your age. If you'd catch up with this generation you will realize that children are merely an unfortunate consequence of sex gone bad. They are a bi-product and therefore, those who have them are determined to let them get in the way of their choosen lifestyle as little as possible. "

 Lindsay wrote on August 12, 2008 1:05 pm:
" I have a great solution to "protect teh children" debate: don't have kids! The world is over populated as it is, and imagine all the money you would save not paying admission for the child as well as concessions. It's a brilliant plan that I am currently practicing, and I can tell you my stress levels are much lower and I generally have more time for sleep. "

 Dave wrote on August 12, 2008 1:17 pm:
" Misha Coleman makes a point that far too few cycling and mass transit advocates do--driving is treason. The Saudis are not our friends, neither is Venezuelan president Chavez--but "patriotic" Americans are happy to keep them rich with our transportation choices. "Saudi oil barons" must be laughing all the way to the bank when they see pictures or films of our autocentric cities. Act like you love your country--learn to hate your car! "

 littlewaywelt wrote on August 12, 2008 2:02 pm:
" - bikes have equal privilege to use the roads and they don't have to maintain a minimum speed. Unless you're jack bauer, 30 seconds of delay in your life isn't the end of the world. Relax.
- ppl that own bikes, also own cars and pay taxes, but that's a moot point because 90% of road fees are paid for out of general tax dollars, not gas tax or registration fees.
- it's irrelevant if some cyclists run stop signs with regard to their right to use the roads. How many drivers break the law daily by speeding, dui, and running stop signs?
- bike commuters benefit everyone, via better health, reduced congestion, parking spaces, pollution.

We can all share the road, and no one should be in such a rush so as to endanger the life of another parent, spouse, or child on the road.
- "

 jk wrote on August 12, 2008 2:36 pm:
" I too was appalled to see small kids at Dark Knight!

I mean seriously, it's not like there isn't Batman toys in happy meals and cereal boxes, or Batman promotion on all kinds of candy and fruit snacks, or Batman toys taking up a huge amount of space in any toy aisle... just wait till the halloween costumes come out...

are you still shocked?

btw. I took my 5 year old and he loved it, we also explain to him that it is all pretend, and he understands that. I must be a horrible parent. "

 bikers wrote on August 12, 2008 3:57 pm:
" I have yet to see a bike rider in the street that didn't pass all of the cars stopped at a light in the gutter to get to the front of the pack.
I was stopped at a light downtown and a bike rider passed me in the gutter and clipped my mirror breaking it. And just road away.
I am not saying all bike riders are not following the rules, but the majority aren't.
If a bike rider gets hit by a car, odds are in favor of the car winning. "

 CS wrote on August 12, 2008 7:24 pm:
" I have yet to see a driver provide actual evidence of all these horrific bikers. (and downtown between 5-630 doesn't count-you ALL break the law down there then straddling streets and blocking crosswalks)If youve only seen one biker pass all the cars, that doesn't exactly lend to credibility, does it? Most bikers are acutely aware of the fact that us plus our vehicle only weigh 150-250 lbs-hence the larger majority of us are safer on the street than most drivers. We have more to lose. "

 Nonsense wrote on August 12, 2008 10:14 pm:
" EXcellent letter by Misha, hits the nail on the head. I want to copy it and send it my local paper. "

 brooklynbike wrote on August 13, 2008 9:47 am:
" All these anti-bike rants make me glad to live and bike in NYC, despite the infrequent excessive force on the part of our police department. Bikers and cars here are both a bit crazy but when I read some driver's comments from Nebraska! A little common sense. Bikes aren't slowing you down. There's never been a case of gridlock caused by bicycles. If half the drivers took their bike tomorrow, drivers would get through traffic faster, not slower. Wake up in the heartland! "

 Thomas Payne wrote on August 13, 2008 10:36 am:
" Analyze before action wrote on August 11, 2008 1:31 pm: " People who ride bikes on the road either don't have a valuable life, or they don't value their lives. One should perform a profit-maximization analysis using projected future earnings (discounted using historical CPI data) and the average rate of bicycle incidents as they relate to medical bills and the loss of life in order to determine whether they should be riding bikes to work. If, through the analysis, you determine that it is cheaper to ride your bike, you, my friend, have a meaningless career. "

Since when is what you do for a living a litmus test for who you are as a person and your value in society? This smacks of a pretentious self-righteous ignorance disguised as intellectual diarrhea. Basically, the person (and I use the term loosely) claims that the value of your life depends on a) how much you earn (i.e., what you do) versus b) the cost of keeping you alive and the risks inherent in the activities you do (e.g., riding a bicycle). Unfortunately, this ignores the costs involved in the activities themselves (if we're talking a purely economical justification, which this Adam Smith wannabe is using). In that case, the author of this drivel needs to factor in the cost of ownership for the average motorized vehicle (gas, insurance, maintenance, repair, etc.) and perform a cost analysis of that versus the ownership of a bicycle. Then, take those figures and subtract that from the cost earnings of the person in question. I predict that in the final analysis, the advantage will go to the bicyclist the majority of the time.

Furthermore, the intellectually challenged author of which we speak, conveniently avoids the issue of the quality of life that the letter writer was alluding to in piece. I, for one, would much rather spend an hour riding my bicycle along the side streets, taking a slightly longer route, but with less traffic, getting exercise, enjoying the sights and sounds along the way and arrive at my destination in a peaceful, relaxed state of mind than to spend half that time stuck in a steel and plastic box, in a sea of other steel and plastics boxes, distracted, stressed, irritated and annoyed only to arrive at my destination in a less than pleasant mood. "

 A Cyclist wrote on August 13, 2008 1:13 pm:
" Just a few notes:

It's fine to encourage cyclists to follow the law... BUT... For every cyclist I see break a law, I see 100 cars speed, roll through a stop sign, run a red light even though they had plenty of time to stop after it turned yellow, drive through a red just because they had a long line of cars waiting and they could get away with it, pull across a sidewalk or crosswalk before stopping to check for oncoming traffic, pass illegally close to another vehicle(bike OR car), etc.

It's a two-way street, folks... one cyclist running a stop sign does NOT negate all other cyclists rights to use the roads, any more than one driver speeding negates all other driver's PRIVILEGE to use the road.

There's another common misconception... cyclist do, in fact, have a RIGHT to use the roads. Drivers have the privilege of being allowed to drive a car on the road IF they do so in a safe manner and obey licensing and other laws. The reason that drivers have to be licensed is because driving a car, if done negl