Re: “Slogans won’t fix the mess that is Victoria,” letter, Nov. 21.

After reading a scathing review of the disastrous state of Victoria, from disgraceful infrastructure, unreliable public transit, pathetic health care and reckless immigration and unaffordable housing, the writer forgot to mention how hideous the slow-moving traffic is.

I have two questions:

Why are you living in this hellhole? You are free to move about the country to whatever utopia you think you will find.

What are you doing to make this city better? What is your contribution to fixing any of the multitude of problems you have identified with our city?

If the answer is nothing, please pack your bags and get the bleep off of my island. Go whine, b—ch and moan somewhere else.

If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

Jay Bowles

Esquimalt

Not a single day goes by without seeing countless cyclists in motion, and it creates such a feeling of camaraderie.

I’ve lived it for three decades on two wheels. From frosty Ottawa winters to sun‑soaked coast spins, I pedalled with pride, sometimes standing tall on my BMX, a balancing bard of the boulevard.

While cars crawled in congestion, I was carving through crisp air, collecting character with every crank. Cycling kept me fit, focused and frankly far happier than fuming in a four-wheeled fortress (I’m a driver, too).

The saddle and sweat shaped me, the snow and sunshine schooled me and the stand-up BMX ride supplied me with smiles.

So, to those who hate traffic: Trade tailpipes for two wheels. You may just find yourself healthier, happier and humming through life with handlebars instead of headaches.

Staying young at heart is so easy and smart — just pedal a personal revolution from within.

Fayu Zhang

Saanich

I think Victoria’s mayor and council have a colossal nerve, taking huge pay increases at the same time as they tell us there’s not enough money to put the usual flower baskets around town.

Anne Swannell

Saanich

In all the many discussions........

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