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
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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