Bike lanes don’t seem to be as despised by drivers as they once were, but even some cyclists are not thrilled about them.

We asked readers for their thoughts on our Thursday column about the necessity and inevitability of a citywide, connected network of cycling lanes that legitimize bikes as viable way to get around.

If we had asked the same thing five years ago, we’d have been swamped by drivers objecting to sharing the road with bikes, never mind giving up entire traffic lanes for the safety and comfort of riders.

The response was less angry and more muted than we expected, indicating a grudging acceptance that as Toronto continues to grow, cycling will become a vital component of the transportation equation.

But some people still resent ceding space to cyclists, including Susan Lewis, who emailed to say “I just don’t understand why cyclists are being handed everything on a platter.

“I’d like them to be held accountable,” she said, noting that many bike riders ignore the rules of the road with impunity.

“What do cyclists have to do? Nothing. I'm sorry, but it's time they start to take some responsibility and also that the authorities get on top of them as well.”

“Where is the monetary and responsibility contribution to all of this on the part of the bike community?” asked 74-year-old Doug Workman.

“As a driver, I have costs associated with the privilege of using the streets,” he said, listing insurance, taxes and fees he pays towards the building and upkeep of roads.

“There is no contribution in any monetary way by the biking community. They feel entitled to these dedicated lanes and their maintenance but do nothing to contribute to them.

“I have no doubt there would be greater acceptance if we were all on equal footing.”

“I for one am happy there are more bike lanes,” said Linda Donaghy, adding, “the more that cyclists stay away from my car, the better I will feel.”

She complained that bike riders “still don't use road safety rules and I have seen some crazy moves like trying to squeeze between cars where there is no room.”

We also got a lot of mail from cyclists who appreciate our advocacy for bike lanes, but not every rider sees them as the answer.

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Ed Berlot said he used to ride his bike from Scarborough to the west end every day for work, long before cycling lanes were introduced, “and I never needed them. In my opinion it’s a false sense of security.”

“I bike, I drive and I walk,” said Richard Degagne, “and we are all getting old waiting for a way to do it safely.”