Long, Steve
Okay, now I've probably said something stupid again so don't just blast
me. I took the time to write my legislators on this issue.
________________________________
From: Long, Steve
Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 12:09 PM
To: 'sen.dianerosenbaum@state.or.us'
Cc: 'rep.carolyntomei@state.or.us'
Subject: HB 3008
Representatives Tomei and Rosenbaum,
I'm writing you this note because I'm concerned about proposed
legislation HB 3008. It is my understanding that the supporters of this
bill believe that users of bicycle lanes ought to pay the costs for said
bicycle lanes. This bill is fundamentally flawed for many reasons.
However, I'd like to point out just a few of it's flaws.
1. Most serious cyclist are not dependent on bicycle lanes and in fact
often ride their bikes in rural areas were traffic volume is light and
there are no bicycle lanes. Therefore, those most affected by this bill
are likely to be those we'd most like to encourage alternative forms of
transportation with, people using bicycles to commute to work or to a
MAX stop or bus stop. So, while we are encouraging people to take
alternative forms of transportation, it makes no sense to put an undue
burden on them to do so. Are not these two ideas polar opposites?
2. As a country, we are encouraging alternative forms of energy, when in
fact, our most abundant form of energy is, in itself, energy efficiency.
We do this as a country and as a state to the extent that we give tax
credits for constituents that install energy efficient appliances,
windows, etc.
Human powered bicycles don't use one drop of gas. Shouldn't we be
working to increase this form of energy efficiency instead of trying to
find ways to extract revenue from it? Bicycling is good for Oregon.
3. I'm a cyclist and I vote. I oppose HB 3008. I ride my bicycles about
10,000 miles a year. I'm a gainfully employeed Oregonian. I own a home.
I own a car. I pay taxes on my home, taxes when I buy gas and payroll
taxes. I already fund my fair share of road and bike lane maintenance. I
do not believe I should be double taxed just because I ride a bicycle. I
suppose the argument could be made that existing moneys devoted to bike
lane maintenance could be replaced by revenue generated from bicycle
registration. However, there is nothing in this legislation that
suggests that. I would like to note that even if there was language in
this bill indicating this, I would still oppose a bill so fundamentally
flawed.
Thank you for taking the time to read this note and I hope that you
stand with me and against HB 3008.
Steve Long
Milwaukie, OR