Moe

Luddites were originally a social movement of English workers in the 1800s who feared that changes produced by the Industrial Revolution might threaten their jobs. Luddites, probably named after a mythical leader Ned Ludd, began their movement in 1811 and often protested the aforementioned changes by destroying textile machines.

Since then, the term Luddite has been used to describe anyone opposed to technological progress and technological change. I don’t fault Mr. Matheson for calling a cyclist a Luddite. However, I suspect that he intended to use the word as a pejorative in effort to attack those who are perceived as being uncompromisingly or unnecessarily opposed to one or more technological innovations. Perhaps he should have used a more appropriate term, Neo-luddism, often perceived as a modern movement of categorical opposition to technology. Even then however, I doubt if Mr. Matheson could have used the term correctly.

The bicycle demonstrates the height of technological design. Even more, thousands of bicycle commuters use their two-wheeled products of the industrial revolution to access their homes; their grocery stores; their jobs and more importantly, their “adult pursuits” each day. It seems that the word “cyclist”, especially as it relates to a working commuter, would demonstrate the perfect antonym to neo-luddism. On a personal level, I often stare at a computer screen for 10 or 12 hours a day before my little toy helps to relieve a bit of stress on the way home. I even ring my little bell if the workday extends to, (though rare), 17 hours like it did last week. I thought that I contributed to the work force while I endeavored to earn a living, but I guess I’m mistaken.

I’m not sure how things work in Toronto, but the United States heavily subsidizes transportation at both the federal and local levels. Colorado residents for example, recently approved a measure to eliminate our tax refunds so that we could spend more money on highway and state road projects. I helped approve the measure. Not only do my sales taxes help to subsidize winter plowing; highway widening; new pavement and more, they even pay for parking spaces and for the salaries of the people who enforce them. Even more, our town recently approved a 3 million dollar measure, financed by our sales and property taxes, to install a new roundabout. I helped to approve that measure as well. I would like to think that automobile owners are the only members of society who deserve a sense of entitlement to the road. I would like to think that gasoline taxes generate enough revenue to pay for traffic signals and roundabouts. Unfortunately,such ideas are simply false. I truly hope that things are different in Canada but somehow I doubt they are.

Finally, I cannot reiterate enough my gratitude for Mr. Matheson. He confirmed as many people do, that we should continue to ride our bikes and to ring our little bells. Mr. Matheson is a grumpy person and I extend my heart to him. If nothing else, we should ride because people like Mr. Matheson can’t. Dingaling.

Chris P.

Telluride, Colorado