Los Angeles Traffic Problems

May I offer a couple of modest proposals to help alleviate traffic congestion? First, let’s ride bicycles to work; second, let’s take the high school kids off the roads.

If you live within five or six miles of your job you will find many advantages to riding a bicycle to work. While it diminishes the freeway snarls only a bit, it takes you out of them. You can smell the flowers, listen to the birds and greet friends on the way to work. You are burning unwanted calories and becoming a slimmer, healthier person. The exercise increases your cardiovascular fitness and raises your metabolism in preparation for the workday ahead. It reduces your stress level and will help you sleep better at night.

If you live too far to bike all the way to work you can carry your bicycle on your car to within five or six miles of the office, then park and ride. Or you can carry the bike to work on your car, leave the car overnight and ride the bike home. The next morning you can cycle to work and drive the car home.

Now, what about taking the high school kids off the roads? Here are some advantages: traffic congestion would be reduced, traffic deaths among our youngsters would decline. Many students could quit minimum-wage jobs that they now need to support their cars. Students will get more fresh air and exercise. All that is required to reap these many benefits is for the parents to tell their students that some things, such as driving, must wait.

BRUCE PETERSEN

Brea