“IN ONE city, at least, two-wheelers welcome’’ (Page A1, Aug. 15) paints a rosy picture of the bicyclist-motorist relationship in Portland, Ore. While we Oregonians have achieved some safety in numbers and enjoy some infrastructure, the scene is not devoid of friction.
Not everyone behind the wheel of a vehicle is accepting of a cyclist in their way. Personally, I found Boston-area drivers as courteous as Oregon drivers, at least between Brookline and Waltham, and around Needham. I know that Boston has been given low marks for bike hospitality by cycling magazines in recent years but the city has potential.
Boston is what “Pedaling Revolution’’ author Jeff Mapes calls a pre-automotive city with key structures close together and relatively flat. It does lack the nice perpendicular street grids that make traveling by bike easier. Cyclist access to commuter trains and the T could be improved. Fortunately, many improvements in bicycle infrastructure are inexpensive compared to those aimed at relieving traffic congestion.
Oh, and cycling advocates know that we’ll never force the likes of George Will and friends out of their cars, but there are many Americans out there who would like to get out of their cars and just need a little incentive.
Cary Mallon, Sandy, Ore. 
