Re: 鈥淰ictoria mayor throws down the Heidelberg Challenge,鈥� comment, June 1.
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I dearly love European cities where an open, mostly pedestrian, central square is the gravity that gathers community together in peace. Who wouldn鈥檛? These are motherhood statements, not plans.
We cannot solve the problems of today with the same level of complexity we used to create them. We certainly can鈥檛 solve them with a single issue like bicycles.
Ramming construction and bike lanes down our throats with, and this is a small, partial list, no training or accountability for cyclists, no improvement in transit services, no effective transportation or infrastructure planning at all is, to me, irresponsible pandering. It is an oversimplification so gross that it鈥檚 a caricature.
Think of all the variables in the history of Victoria and Heidelberg. Here鈥檚 one: Heidelberg, as part of the Rhein-Necker metro region, has more than 180 trams and light-rail vehicles, over and above the bus fleet.
The issue is not the what, but the how, as I hope our mayor is beginning to learn. Anyone can describe a city that works better, is more sustainable, reflects our values and supports a vibrant, inclusive community. What we need is a better vision to get there.
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Stephen J. Ison
Victoria
