Dear editor,
FRIENDLY TRAVELS  
There was a time when every country road came with its own unofficial greeting. You’d pass another car, lift a couple of fingers off the wheel, and the other driver would do the same. Just a little “G’day, safe travels.”
These days, you’re more likely to get a blank stare through tinted glass. The humble driver’s wave seems to be slipping into endangered territory.
The wave was a reminder that behind every windscreen was a fellow human being, not just a metal box.
I grew up believing the wave was part of the social contract. Someone lets you merge. You wave. Someone pulls over on a narrow road. You wave.
But somewhere between bigger cars, busier roads, and the “I’m-in-a-hurry-and-my-podcast-is-on,” the wave has faded.
We’ve become sealed off in our little climate-controlled capsules, more connected to our dashboards than the people around us.
Russell White, founder of the Australian Road Safety Foundation, believes that bringing back the wave could help shift our road culture back toward courtesy that’s contagious.
He says a simple wave can lift safety awareness, especially at a time when Queensland’s road toll is climbing far too fast.
It is a moment of shared humanity, reminding us that our lives can be saved by our shared driving behaviour – let’s ride the wave!
Garry Reynolds,
Peregian Springs.

##

UNIQUELY OZ  
Dear editor,
In full view of the USA’s Mad King’s desire to seize oil, countries and minerals, how safe are our unique Australian animals if he demands them for his White House zoo? Just asking.
Margaret Wilkie,
Peregian Beach.

##

E-BIKES  
Dear editor,
With the explosion of electric bikes on the market, to satisfy the demand for convenience and speed, there is no control over what ages are appropriate to own and ride these highly prized means of transport. But the risk factor is often overlooked, the dangers of inexperience with road rules and bike safety. Many schools are banning electric bikes for community safety and common sense.
These bikes are engaging keen, inexperienced riders, unaware of how fragile life is on such unregistered vehicles. It is difficult to monitor who is experienced enough to own and ride these, and no doubt every child had on their Christmas list last year! Then there are the risk-takers, who insist on showing how game they are by doubling riders, wearing no helmets, or riding a “mono”, with only one wheel on solid ground and 80% of their bodies subject to the elements and the traffic.
Traffic conditions are mostly fluid and fluctuating, and these reckless riders take their lives and the lives of those they double on roads or pathways for granted. They come undone when the speed is out of their control. Some electric bikes’ speed is as powerful and fast as a fully registered motorbike. Many of the injuries and now even deaths can be attributed to careless and reckless behaviours, both on the roads and pathways shared with others.
If social media platforms exclude those under 16 in Australia as a prevention, should governments also include an age limit for ownership of electric bikes, which should be registered and licenced like all motor bikes, petrol or electric? But many parents succumb to “pester power”, caving to their young charges demanding the latest in mobility, to their own demise. It’s up to the mature in our society to set the boundaries.
E. Rowe,
Marcoola.

##

E-BIKE RESPONSE

While I agree with Robyn Deane that something needs to be done about e-bikes and e-scooters, her complaints are a bit rich coming from a known Labor supporter such as herself.
These e-bikes and e-scooters started to appear, without any apparent controls, while the Palaszczuk and Miles Governments were in power. It was obvious several years ago that Labor well and truly dropped the ball on this issue, and the current government has, again, been left to pick up the pieces of ALP neglect.
So yes, Ms Deane, something needs to be done, and I agree, the current government is taking too long, but the blame for the situation we have now lies squarely at the feet of the previous ALP governments, who did nothing when these machines started to appear, and kids were riding them everywhere quite dangerously.
Des Deighton,
Coolum Beach.
##

If you would like to submit a letter to the editor, please do so by email at editor@coolumadvertiser.com.au by COB on the Thursday before each publication week in order to be considered for the upcoming edition.

Letters to the editor must be clearly written and contain the full name and residential address of the letter writer for validation. Only a name and suburb will be printed. All letters to the editor are the opinions and statements of the writer and are not the independent views or opinions of the Coolum Advertiser. The editor reserves the right to amend letters for grammatical purposes. Submitted letters are not guaranteed to be published.