[Letters] Bike safety beyond slogans

I agree with the editorial “Make cycling safer” [March 13] about promoting bike safety as more people bike to school or work. Biking helps us stay healthy, escape traffic and keep our air clean.

It is sad but true that the government is doing a poor job in meeting this need. The problem is that the bicycle paths are in the middle of pedestrian lanes, and also people do not seem to understand that they are for bicycles only. I have often seen motorcycles going in and out of bicycle lanes. The bicycle roads along the Han River are relatively safe, but many neighborhoods don’t have bike paths at all. The few that do exist can suddenly end, leaving the bike rider no choice but to use the street. This is why some schools have actually forbidden students from cycling to school; it is just too dangerous.

This is not to say that the government is refusing to do anything about the matter. They are currently building a vast network of bicycle paths around the country, holding bike-riding campaigns and events to promote bikes. But I wish the government would focus more on the needs of everyday life rather than promoting nationwide projects that look good.

The government sees the need for improvement to promote a safe biking culture and is trying to cope but lacks the attention and care needed to make sure what is promoted is really happening.

Kim Sang-hee, teacher