It's an issue that shouldn't split the community like it has.
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Yet, here we are, with the people of Ballarat locking horns over the plans to install a bike path down the centre median of Sturt Street.
When this newspaper broke the news about the Regional Roads Victoria plan, the flurry of fierce debate was nothing short of overwhelming.
READ MORE: Sturt Street bike path on its way
Sure, any issues around Sturt Street traffic always get tongues wagging - you only have to look at the controversy surrounding plans to alter six dangerous intersections.
But the idea of installing a shared path down the centre of our main boulevard drove a wedge through the people of Ballarat.
On The Courier's Facebook page, there were more than 750 comments in one day.
Debate raged on The Courier's Facebook page.
The questions is: why the fuss?
What is it about the plan that gets people so hot under the collar?
Whether people are in strongly in favour of the idea or dead against it, the urge to fly the flag and go into battle seems irresistible.
There's undoubtedly an undertone of anti-cyclist thinking ingrained in a lot of attitudes in this city. For some reason, it can at times almost be a sport to see who can be the first to shout down those who ride a bike.
Is the very thought of new infrastructure for cyclists enough to spend people into a tailspin? One would hope not.
Is it the safety concerns about the intersections that has people worried? This might be a more legitimate concern, but with actual designs not even released yet, it's too early to jump the gun on this one.
And as for the statues, trees and monuments? Well, the simple answer is these won't be touched.
The reality is, whatever changes are implemented will have very little real impact on the everyday lives of most people.
Even if there is a bike path down the centre of Sturt Street, is worth agonising over.
If it reduces vehicle traffic, promotes physical activity and enhances safety on the roads, is it really something worth taking a defiant stance against?
So, again we ask the question: why all the fuss?