Tim Baer’s op-ed in your Aug. 22 issue was another classic example of what can only be termed rampant “kitchen-sink-ism” — the act of throwing everything into an argument regardless of its factual basis or rational connection to the real issue.

To suggest that the rumble strips are “hurting our economy, . . . tricky for children” and thwarting our overall efforts “to combat obesity” is absolute nonsense. That some cyclists have had to be stitched up this year is nothing at all new to cycling. Clearly Mr. Baer has made up his mind to give no inch in what has clearly become a turf war between hard-core cyclists and the county. The rest of those who ride bikes appear totally ambivalent and happy to pedal within the ample space allotted on the shoulder, which was widened by the county for their benefit in the first place.

Please go out to the road and take a look on any weekend. The county’s compromise is sound and sensible, correcting errors in rumble-strip installation and locating future strips closer to the fog line, giving Mr. Baer more space, not less.

If you’re captivated by Mr. Baer’s mantra that “roadways are owned by the people, and not the cars” and believe that rumble strips are a threat to your “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” you’re way too worked up over this. Chill out. Take a walk.

— John van Amerongen