No Mountain Bikes

Bicycles should not be allowed in any natural area (“Fat Tire Temple,” July 1). They are inanimate objects and have
no rights. There is also no right to mountain-bike. That was settled in federal court in 1996 (see mjvande.nfshost.com/mtb10.htm). It’s dishonest of mountain bikers to say that they don’t have access to trails closed to bikes. They have exactly the same access as everyone else—on foot! Why isn’t that good enough for mountain bikers? They are all capable of walking.

A favorite myth of mountain bikers is that mountain biking is no more harmful to wildlife, people and the environment than hiking, and that science supports that view. Of course it’s not true. To settle the matter once and for all, I read all of the research they cited and wrote a review of the research. Of the seven studies they cited, all were written by mountain bikers, and in every case, the authors misinterpreted their own data in order to come to the conclusion that they favored. They also studiously avoided mentioning other scientific studies that did not favor mountain biking and which came to the opposite conclusions.

—Mike Vandeman

Via Bohemian.com

Bicycle Puffery

All this “puffery” for bikes and not a word about safety (“Let the Good Times Roll,” July 1). Every day I observe cyclists riding on the wrong side of the road, on the sidewalk, not making turn signals and riding with flip-flops and no helmet. Time for the police to crack down on the irresponsible cyclists.

—Homegirl

Via Bohemian.com

Mental Health Myths

It was disheartening to see the June 17 cover of the Bohemian titled “NorCal Psycho.” The word “psycho” is a derogatory word used to describe those of us with mental-health challenges. I am sure that the Bohemian did not intend to promote prejudice toward people with mental-health disabilities by printing this cover. Our culture is full of myths surrounding mental health and derogatory language like “crazy” and “psycho.”

The Bohemian is not unique in pairing words like “psycho” with violence as it did on the cover. However, it is a myth that “people who have been diagnosed with mental illnesses are dangerous.” According Eachmindmatters.com, “mental illness accounts for, at most,
3 percent of all violence committed in the U.S., and people with serious mental health challenges are more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators.”

I hope that our community will pay more attention to our language and to challenge the Bohemian to print some of the positive and heartwarming stories from our community about people who have experienced mental-health recovery, and programs in our community where people are receiving help.

—Teresa Romero

Sebastopol

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Who’s Working for Whom?

I recently called the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors and asked why they hadn’t created Measure A specifically for repaving our awful roads, and was told because it would take a two-thirds majority to pass. When I brought up the notion that the public does not trust them with our money, it was as if I were speaking Greek. Sonoma County needs supervisors who are in tune with the public, and from what we have seen of Supervisor David Rabbitt, he is definitely not.

How about a new measure that will only go toward fixing our terrible roads? Anyone not using 101 on a daily basis should get down on his knees and give thanks for not being part of the parking lot. Instead of simply adding one lane in each direction, the “powers that be” are going to see to it that they ruin the once wonderful stretch of land between Novato and Petaluma. I wrote to Rabbitt about this months ago and never heard back. Are these supervisors really working for us? I think not!

—Paul Stalone

Petaluma

Water Hogs

Well that about sums up “the American way” (“Rich Californians,” Facebook,
June 14). If I can pay for it, I can get it, and screw those who can’t. That is the country we know live in. The rich get rich and the poor get poorer. The authorities can issue all the citations they want. Rich people will simply pay them and keep on watering.

—Janet Texas

Via Facebook

People only react and respond to conservation when it hits them where it hurts most, their pocketbook. The state needs to be more active about fining the abusers.

—Ivonee Carley

Via Facebook

I saw someone watering his rocks (at noon even!) one day. My arm shot up and I pointed at him, directing anger and shame his way. My mom stopped the car and glared at him. He stopped the watering about four seconds later. People like that are selfish bastards.

—Linnea Boll

Via Facebook

Dept. of Corrections

Last week’s story “Home Grown”
(June 24) listed the incorrect phone number for Soul Riders. The correct number is 707.978.3810. Also, mention of Go Local and North Bay Made may not have made it sufficiently clear that the two organizations are not related. They are definitely not. Finally, Debriefer incorrectly said that Jared Huffman is a first-term congressman; he’s a second-termer.

—The Ed.

Looking deeply within his soul

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