Bike scheme has its detractors...

LETTERS

Dear Editor
As a five-year resident and owner in the Valley I have to say that this new cycle scheme may work but only in time; it could be years! Most of us who live in these areas have bikes already.
But my beef is the placement of the racks and the every growing visual polluting signage that is springing up everywhere and anywhere telling us to use the scheme!
The BCC has many times talked how bad the signage is around the Valley /
New Farm/ CBD area ( and charge businesses for them ) but now , at will with NO checking to residents they dig up the footpaths to put these signs that block our views while driving and lessen the space to walk along the footpaths.
These signs are popping up like mushrooms , every morning I leave my apartment there seems to be another one blocking the view that was once there .
And will we be seeing ads for male erection problems filling the sign space soon, to earn money to pay for Can-Do’s folly! Hmmmmmm.

Lindsay Anlezark
via email Nov 12


Dear Editor
Enjoy your paper far more than the Murdock press! As someone who walks on the boardwalk daily, I live in fear of being hit by the Tour de France riders already speeding there.
I believe that we should have, as you find in advanced cities overseas, a registration system with each bike having a licence number affixed to its rear and that a small annual rego fee be used to cover some form of Third Party insurance.
The number would allow identification of a rider not stopping after an accident and the funds raised should cover compensation for injuries to pedestrians. Who do we call on when injured? The State Government?
The Council? Or the French bike franchise?

David Mc Veagh
Brisbane
via email Nov 11

Station revamp missed chance to honour Chinese heritage

Dear Editor

The revamping of the Valley Railway Station, including the food hall, in fact all the new “upgrade” in the Valley, demonstrates both a total lack of imagination and a total lack of respect for its history.
The Valley has long been known as Brisbane’s Chinese Market. The Chinese were here long before the majority of our forbears, and although they were persecuted by the Europeans for no other reason than their colour or their race, survived the White Australia Policy, along with the popular comment of the times. “Two Wongs don’t make a White”.
They remained true to their ideals, were virtually never seen in court for breaking the Law, and eventually became respected members of the business community.
If you get the time, have a look at the noticeboard in the foyer of the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, where it lists the names of those who have financially assisted that hospital. By far, the largest proportion of donations have come from either Chinese firms or Chinese individuals.
Instead of the stupid squiggles on the wall tiles of the station, there should have been large Chinese Dragons, creeping along the walls, along with Chinese lanterns and decorations in the rest of the station precincts as well as the rest of the Valley shopping area.
This whole area could have, and should have, been turned into one of Brisbane’s greatest tourist attractions, and should have included pictorial historical evidence of the history of the Australian Chinese community’s achievements to make Australia what it is today.

Colin Hooper.
Kallangur
via email

TALK TO US!

Got something to get off your chest. Then send us an email to editor@theindependent.com.au
or post us your thoughts to PO Box 476 Fortitude Valley Q 4006. Name and address
please, although we will withhold that at your request.