A bunch of reading for a Wednesday:

• If you drive a car or ride a bike, you ought to check out this morning's article on how motorists and cyclists can coexist. I was especially glad to see gold medalist Kristin Armstrong addressing a cycling pet peeve of me. Drivers, please don't honk. Even if it's a friendly head's up. It's really more distracting than it is helpful.

Oh, and a footnote: Armstrong and husband Joe Savola gave us a list of five streets cyclists should avoid. Four are state roads: State Street, Eagle Road, Broadway Avenue and Chinden Boulevard. That helps explain why cycling safety is a state issue.

• From Ada County Commissioner Sharon Ullman's blog: She says the Idaho Transportation Department told her it won't address pedestrian problems near the county courthouse, and focuses instead on intersections where people have already died. Writes Ullman: "Unless (until) someone is killed trying to cross Front Street in front of the courthouse, ITD will not be planning to address this safety issue."

In fairness to ITD, I wasn't at the meeting. But at first glance, this is a troubling way of setting priorities.

• Peace for our time, formally announced Tuesday. A compromise has been reached between has finally been reached between the Idaho Potato Commission and the Idaho, check that, Boise Fry Co. Yup, the Fry Company is located both in Idaho and Boise. Name sure applies. I am glad the proverbial cooler heads prevailed.

• Republicans look to make congressional gains in the Rocky Mountains, according to The Hill. Idaho 1st District Republican Vaughn Ward is quoted on the deficit and its effects on the nation. “Is it still a democracy? Is it still capitalism? ... I never thought I’d be asking these questions, but that’s what people are concerned about today.”

• Can't argue with Northwest political blogger Randy Stapilus on either point here. I can't see Melissa Sue Robinson defeating incumbent Nampa Mayor Tom Dale, and it will be interesting to see how local voters react to a transgender candidate. And will Robinson run a one-issue campaign?

• A fascinating First Amendment yarn from Sin City. A federal grand jury slaps the Las Vegas Review-Journal with a subpoena, seeking the names of online commenters. Newspaper says no. Case centers on a federal criminal tax trial and some online comments feds consider threatening. A sampling: "The sad thing is there are 12 dummies on the jury who will convict him. They should be hung along with the feds."

This, in journalistic jargon, is a fine kettle of fish.

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