In "Freeway is an asphalt jungle," published in the Jan. 29 Courier, Carl Heintze speaks for many of us in describing the worrisome nature of local freeway driving. Unfortunately, while freeway time can be minimized, similar problems plague our city streets, creating special concerns for pedestrians, bicyclists, wheelchair users and others.

For instance, walking across Stevens Creek Boulevard often brings new meaning to the phrase "too close for comfort," and cyclists in the Stelling Road bike lane can find impatient motorists illegally darting into it to use it as a passing lane. Traffic around schools is another special concern, with discourtesy and craziness far too commonly seen. Ironically, this includes some parents, seemingly oblivious to the mixed message that while children are instructed to follow the rules at home and in school, Mom or Dad don't follow the rules of the road.

Most discouraging, though, is that many people won't even consider a bike ride to the park or walking children a few blocks to school. It's a dubious sign of civic progress that those with little respect for other community members should dictate others' use of their neighborhood streets.

Change is unlikely to come about solely by cities putting more limited tax dollars into projects like red light cameras and speed bumps. Rather than excusing ourselves with the "Everyone else does it" line, the change must start with each of us. Set the right example. Slow down. Stop at stop signs. Respect the law and your neighbors. Start today—don't make the two minutes you think you saved getting somewhere two minutes that permanently change someone else's life.

—Kevin Gregory, Sunnyvale