Evan MacKenzie
I wasn't going to send anything back to the good Officer Whitehead, thinking
it not worth the effort. I wrote him such a nice letter last week, but had
decided to sit on it. But then I saw the response Jess got to his letter,
and I was motivated to send it. Am I crazy to call a Chief of Police an
idiot? OK, maybe. But better for me to do it from 300 miles away that
somebody over there who is nearer the threat.
Of course, after this little exchange, I have to be very concerned that
North Plains may be even less safe for cyclists than it was before.
Hopefully the City will receive some feedback from others, including
possibly some very negative publicity, that will encourage them to think a
little different about bikes vs cars. We can only hope.
For the record, for anyone else out there who is prone to writing emails to
people offering criticism, please remember to erase your company information
from your signature line. This is my primary email, and I am always careful
to erase my signature line from anything that might be considered
representative of my employer. Yeah, I should probably use a different
(private) account to send such emails, but until I get off my tightwad butt
and get internet at home.enough rambling, sorry, you get the drift.
I rode up to Anthony Lakes on Saturday and I think I saw maybe 15 cars on
the whole 60-mile ride. Everybody out here gives you plenty of room. In
fact, many of the drivers even give you a little wave. That includes the
guys in the big 4WD trucks. We also have a Chief of Police who does not
think cyclists are a nuisance. Wow, how refreshing! If anybody is ever out
this way, look me up and I'll be happy to ride with you. I'm a slow Cat 4,
but I'll finish. The normal Friday loop of the Elkhorn is especially nice
when you are not actually racing it.
If things work out right, I might see some of you at Mt Hood this weekend.
Just don't tell Officer Whitehead.
Keep the rubber side down,
-Evan
Evan MacKenzie
Planning Director
City of Baker City
PO Box 650
1655 First Street
Baker City, OR 97814
541-524-2030
www.bakercity.com