| Subject: | Re: Opinion Letter - Camas Post Record |
| Date: | 06/28/2001 12:54 AM |
| From: | Becky and Nikos |
|
Hello all, The following is taken from "Whose roads? Defining bicyclists' right to use public Roadways" that was published in the BTA CycLetter on March 1996: "On average, an automobile driver travels on public roads about 15,000 miles per year, while non-driving bicyclists and transit users average a quarter or less of this distance. On a per capita basis, bicyclists pay far more in taxes per mile of roadway travel than drivers." The example of Mike the Motorist (15,000 miles/yr) and Francis Footpower (4,000 miles/yr) is summarized on a table in the same article, which I am including: Household's general taxes used for roadway services: Mike $400 Francis $400 Automobile user charges (fuel taxes and vehicle registration fees): Mike $300 Francis $0 Total road system contribution: Mike $700 Francis $400 Tax paid per mile of travel: Mike 4.7c Francis 10.0c Payment to cost ratio (assuming automobile costs=6.5c per mile, bicycle=0.2c per mile): Mike 0.72 Francis 50 Total annual road use costs (with above assumption): Mike $975 Francis $7 NET Mike +$275 (=subsidies) Francis ($393) (=tax overpayment) I do not want to hear "Bikers get off the road" again! Respectfully, Nikos Tzetos ----- Original Message ----- From: Jonathan Puskas <impu-@yahoo.com> To: <ffwa-@cs.com>; <ob-@topica.com> Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2001 12:30 PM Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Opinion Letter - Camas Post Record Last time I checked, cyclists per capita income is significantly higher than average. Therefore, it is likely we are paying more taxes than most drivers. Maybe we should get rid of the cars instead. Cheers, Jonathan C. Puskas The following letter to the editor was in the Tuesday, June 26th 2001 Camas-Washougal Post Record. 425 N.E. 4th Avenue, Camas Washington --- www.camaspostrecord.com Bicyclists are hazard on Washougal River Road I enjoy bicycling myself, but I also value my life. I think it is ridiculous and foolish to see bicyclists ride on roads like "The Washougal River Road" and any road such as that. It is not only dangerous to the bicyclists, but hazards to the automobiles, too. There are many other safer places for bicyclists to ride and are designated just for bicyclists. I believe it should be outlawed for bicycling on roads, unless otherwise permitted too. Many other people will vouch for me, I know as a fact. We should be able to stand up and know what is right and what is wrong. Driving your bicycles on dangerous roads is very wrong! Just as it would be for a mother to walk her baby alongside a dangerous road! You would be risking your lives and the people around you trying not to hit you as they come around a corner and hit the vehicle in the other lane. That is one of many examples. On the other hand, the automobile that does not see a bicyclist and kill the bicyclist. I do hope that people will hear me out and make this happen. I do not like to see innocent people get killed or hurt in accidents that we can correct ourselves. J.R. Williams Washougal -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- ------------------------------ As a resident of the area and an active rider of Washougal River Road, I know that many OBRA members also enjoy this ride. Throughout the year I see various team riders as well as individuals enjoying this particular road. I have also been informed that this years Camas road race will also be taking place on a portion of Washougal River Road. I know that rebutting these opinions is like banging your head agains the wall... it only feels better when you stop. But, as a glutton for punnishment, I plan to follow up on this issue and encourage anyone else with a strong opinion to do the same. Thanks for your time, Ward Knable |
