Huffy vs. Hummer...continued

Today's debate is whether cyclists should pay their 'fair share' to use the roads.

Showing cyclists the money

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Last year, U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said that building bike lanes and paths isn't a good use of federal transportation dollars. Is she correct? Cyclists Randal O’Toole and Will Campbell continue their debate.

LINK


I think this one is an old, tiresome argument. Motorists often insist that cyclists should pay something toward road use, and I have to assume that the underlying idea is to make riding a bicycle an expensive, onerous experience - just like owning and driving a car - so some cyclists would be inclined to give up two-wheeled transportation. Mandatory helmet laws have the same effect.

But I already pay taxes both for the fuel I purchase (yes, I do own and drive a car) and all those real estate and sales taxes, which support roads to a greater extent than fuel taxes. To my way of thinking, if a motorist objects to the way fuel taxes are spent, he can protest that by riding a bicycle. Pedestrians and horse-drawn vehicles have an equal right to our public roads as well. If you want to enact a tax on horses and affix a license plate to one, be my guest. I'll watch from a safe distance.

"Huffy vs. Hummer"

(Image from KansasCity.Com Crime Scene)

Here's something interesting, a week-long debate between Will Campbell and Randal O'Toole about cycling in Los Angeles.

Today, local blogger Will Campbell and Cato Institute senior fellow Randal O'Toole determine who bears responsibility for the road rage between cyclists and motorists. Later in the week, they'll debate public funding for bike lanes and paths, cycling activism and more.

LINK

Who's to blame for road rage? That's easy - stupid people - regardless of their transportation mode. Honestly, you can ride like a complete moron, ignoring stop signs, riding on sidewalks, etc, and you'll piss people off. On the other hand, you can ride as a lawful, vehicular cyclist, and you'll piss people off. Screw 'em. Don't let someone else's rising blood pressure cause a similar rise in yours. Smile, wave, and use some language that would make a sailor blush.