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LETTERS: G E Gamble, S Basu, and A Porter Reducing road traffic BMJ 1998; 317: 212a [Full text]

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Andrew Gorman   (24 July 1998)

Untitled 24 July 1998
Andrew Gorman Send response to journal: Re: this article	Dear Editor, I was most interested to read the letter by Gamble and Basu (1) regarding bicycling to work. Their optimism is heartening. Whilst I am sure most juniors agree with the sentiments of reducing traffic and leading a more healthy lifestyle one look at the mostly empty bicycle parking facilities at our hospital is testament to the realities of the human condition. With the erosion of our status within society in financial terms as well as professionally juniors seem to adopting cars as a marker of success. One look at our car park is an indicator of this with its rows of two seater sports cars. To ask doctors to give up their cars seems to be another example of the politically correct foisting their morals and lifestyle choices onto the rest of us. I am sure most doctors agree that smoking, drinking too much, having too much stress in one's life, divorce and suicide are not lifestyle choices for the better but the fact is we practice them more than most. Once again we are being exhorted to lead the way. It is not our job to lead the way by our actions but simply to point the way. Another point not raised is that cycling to work is a dangerous practice in itself simply because there are so many cars about. Yours sincerely, Dr AP Gorman Specialist registrar in anaesthesia Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport, Cheshire SK2 7JE 1 Gamble GE. Trusts can do much to encourage doctors to lead the way. BMJ 1998;317:212(18th July)