Mayor Nickels, why are you already backing out of the Bicycle Master Plan? I'm referring to the section of Stone Way between the Ship Canal and 50th, which has mysteriously reverted to a non-bicycle route (as detailed here: http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=267463). I thought I'd read that it was your priority to put in bike lanes wherever there was new road construction. I guess that was just something you said, to appease people, just like any politician.

I was so proud to live in a city which had committed to bicycle safety and a healthier environment. I was amazed at the forward steps which seemed to be shown in the Bicycle Master Plan presented earlier this year. Now, I find that in fact I'm living in the same politician-infested, corporate-controlled rat-trap I expect out of Washington, DC.

So, I will continue to bicycle along congested streets (have you ever ridden up Stone Way there? It's daunting, mostly for the complete lack of bicycle lanes). My cynicism about politics and government has proven time and again to be well-founded in reality, so that will continue as well. Thanks for "keeping it real," and crushing that glimmer of hope I had.