In the Winter 2006 issue of American Bicyclist, The LAB printed a letter from engineer Jim Green of Asheville, NC. Mr. Green expressed his "strong objection and disgust" for "having included John Forester as an 'Inspirational Figure' in cycling. Green continues in his letter: "About the only inspirational thing Forester has ever done was to prevent hte funding of much needed bikeways and bike lanes. [To give Forester] credibility ... is a terrible way to put the general public at risk."
In response, the LAB printed that Forester's "views do not necessarily represent those of the League of American Bicyclists."
The LAB failed to mention the long-runnning feud between Forester and Green. Green has it in personally against Forester (and vice versa). Green wrote that he felt "ethically and morally bound to register" his "objection and disgust," but I suspect the real reason he wrote the letter is that Green just personally doesn't like Forester.
Tags: vendetta
I am responding to the unsigned editorial regarding my objection to John Forester being given a LAB award. The editor can apprently read minds. He (or she) claims that my objection to this award is because I personally do not like Forester. I have no personal feelings toward Forester one way or the other - in spite of the years of personal attacks he has launched against me.My problem with Forester is that he has pushed the use of roadways instead of bikepaths for cycle travel. While a good rider may be perfectly at ease on a road with traffic the 80 year old grandmother may not be. As a result of Foresters ridiculous stance on this issue, funding has been cut for designated bike paths and bike lanes. It is hard enough to get the funding we need for these projects without some "award winning LAB" person actively fighting against designated bike lanes and paths.
ReplyDeleteRemember this is the individual who under oath in a court of law blamed the bike industry for the failure of a cyclist to have a headlight on his bike at night. Forester's opinion for the Plaintiff resulted in a 8 million dollar verdict against Derby-who was my client at the time.LAB and the cycling public doesn't need this person further propped up by some LAb award or Board seat.
Jim Green