E-bike pedlars Correspondent John Kempler’s faith in the benefits and future of e-bike commuting overlooks the disadvantages (Letters, 31 July). His experience is with local travel by e-bike. I commuted on a motorbike for two years. It rains, the wind blows, it’s cold, and sometimes very hot. There are slippery road surfaces and potholes. And no physical protection, not just from the weather but from car and truck drivers, who do make mistakes. The notion that e-bikes should be subsidised is nuts. That (public) money would be better directed into hospital services to pay for the inevitable increase in serious road injuries from e-bike commuting. Dedicated roads for e-bikes? He’s dreaming. Still, some will benefit from public subsidies of e-bike commuting. They are those who sell and service the bikes. So, as usual, the main beneficiaries wouldn’t be the pedallers, they would be the pedlars. Norman Carter, Roseville Big tech threat Rather than weakening copyright law, as Scott Farquhar proposes (“Billionaire tech chief spruiks AI amid 150 cuts”, July 31), a better solution would be for AI companies to provide small parcels of equity to publishers and writers. That would remove alleged financial obstacles while ensuring that all contributors share any upside, which is fairer and better for Australia. AI companies are now offering salary and equity packages of more than $100 million to top developers. Clearly, they are prepared to pay if they have to. In addition, it’s worth noting that Farquhar’s own success and wealth derives from his company’s use of copyright laws. Intellectual property rights are the important way we protect talent and expertise. We should not weaken them for big tech. Anthony Healy, Centennial Park Just not cricket No, Mr Greenberg, England’s combative, hostile approach is not great cricket (“It’s great cricket’: Angry, abrasive England an Ashes goldmine for CA”, August 1). It’s just another sad example of big money corrupting the game. Bullying and threatening behaviour should not be a desirable part of any sport, especially one we encourage our children to take part in. Graham Hansen, Denistone Mighty moles The British and Irish Lions is a misnomer. None of the countries involved have lions. Australia has wallabies. Plenty of them. Other rugby nations use native animals such as springboks, kiwis and pumas. We should be playing the British and Irish Squirrels, or the British and Irish Moles. Phil Blight, Gymea Bay Cheep seats Virgin’s decision to allow pets on planes brings a new meaning to travelling cattle class. Ian Costley, Belrose Letters of outrage and despair have poured in since shocking images from Gaza of emaciated, hungry children began appearing in the media. The effect on readers over the past week has been profound, with dozens of people writing to the Herald for the first time and thousands preparing to take part in their first protest march. The general message: Stop the war, now! “Let’s call a spade a spade: Israel is starving Palestinians to death,” wrote Marilyn Lebeter. Meg Pickup felt helpless. “Shame on those countries enabling Netanyahu’s behaviour. Shame on the rest of us for standing idly by.” “We must not stand by while war crimes are carried out. Australia must act,” wrote Deborah Nestola. Jack Amond agreed. “In years to come, this will be recognised as a crime against humanity,” he said. Coalition frontbencher Dan Tehan’s comment that Hamas, not Israel, was to blame for the starvation in Gaza was quickly challenged. “Is this the blood-stained hill the Liberal Party wish to take a stand on?” asked a “distressed” James Cottam. Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce was in front of the cameras once more this week, announcing his improbable plan to dump Australia’s 2050 net-zero target and blaming renewables for rising electricity prices. Sceptical readers were quick to write in. “It’s hard to understand how the electors of New England put up with his inane prognostications,” said Peter Nash. “Will no one rid us of this turbulent beast?” pleaded clean-energy devotee Ken Enderby. Labor’s lifting of longstanding restrictions on America’s access to our beef market got a unanimous thumbs down from readers. “I don’t like the idea of capitulating to a bully like Trump, and sure as hell won’t be buying US beef,” wrote Alph William. Victor Marshall said: “Australians will only buy American meat once, as it falls a long way short of the quality and taste of Australian meat.” “I won’t buy it or anything else from America. If we all do the same the message will soon filter through,” wrote Olga Stosic. The idea of prime US rump going into the bin will surely be hard to swallow for the US president. His fondness of steak is well known, preferring it well done – with ketchup. Ivan Hemens, letters editor To submit a letter to the Sydney Morning Herald, email letters@smh.com.au. Click here for tips on how to submit letters.The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform. Sign up here.