For what it is worth

[Lester, Hugh]

The Coast News (Jan. 15, 2010, page A5)

Eye of the Coast by Bill Arballo

 

“Why not license bikes for streets & highways?” Bike numbers grow daily

 

How come the Governator hasn’t decided to levy a tax on bikes that are used on highways and byways in increasing numbers? It would certainly benefit the state’s cash-poor till. Bike riders enjoy benefits not available to car operators like buzzing past stop signs without stopping and turning without signaling.

 

The Governator sez the state needs capital to maintain roads. Bicyclists who use ‘em should be anxious to contribute their share for at least putting in bike lanes. This could develop a good piece of change for roads before the state elected found a way to squander it for other things. Decades ago the Harbor City issues mini license plates for a small fee administered by the police department. The Governator need not worry about his approval rating. It was already in the tank at 27 percent last month.

 

 

My 29 January 2010 Guest Column (in response):

 

Bill Arballo’s January 15^th column led with tongue-in-cheek commentary on bicyclist fees for roadway funding. Unfortunately, it was also thinly veiled invective. Bicyclists, according to Bill, generally hold traffic laws in contempt. They “enjoy benefits” from public roads “not available to car operators,” since they are able to run stop signs and turn without signaling. Bicyclists evidently do not pay federal, state or local taxes, Bill implies, since they are not licensed by the DMV. Where does the money for road construction and maintenance come from anyway? Don’t ask Bill. He clearly has no idea.

 

Here are the facts. Bicyclists have a legal right to operate their means of conveyance on public roads equal to those who operate automobiles or motorcycles. They are likewise subject to traffic laws. Fines for running stop signs apply to bicyclists, and they can be hefty. With revenues down in many jurisdictions, enforcement of traffic laws for bicyclists has increased in frequency. Fees associated with licensure are unlikely to offset the additional administrative costs. Tying up law enforcement with “random” checks of bike licenses is a poor use of limited public resources.

 

Here are some more facts: Bicyclists contribute significantly to the local economy. San Diego County has the highest concentration of bike shops I have ever seen. Some of the bikes one sees on the weekends cost more than many older cars on the roadways. Bicycling is excellent exercise and contributes to health outcomes over the lifecycle. This benefits everyone, in the form of reduced pressure on our healthcare system, reduced premiums, and improved quality of life for all involved.

 

While it is true that many bicyclists do not live up to their obligations as users of the roadways, I would urge everyone to consider the following: coming to a full stop on a bike can be likened to having to get out of your car every time you stop at a stop sign or red light. While this does not excuse unlawful behavior, perhaps non-bicyclists can empathize a little. Factor in the fact that many of the colorfully clad athletes one sees on the weekend have been riding for hours when they carefully roll through a stop sign.

 

Bicycling is also not all recreational. Many bicyclists commute to work, reducing the number of cars on the roads and lowering their carbon footprint. Finally, after all this seriousness, it is important to note that riding a bike is FUN. Unfortunately for Bill and the Governor, taxing bicycling is about as feasible as taxing fun itself.

 

 

[Alan Walker]

"... coming to a full stop on a bike can be likened to having to get out of your car every time you stop at a stop sign or red
light."

Yes, that analogy can be made and is made by people who like to make slick-sounding, misleading analogies for political purposes.

Rolling through a stop sign can also be likened to passing cyclists with minimal clearance while driving at 10% over the speed
limit: many do it, few get caught and, while occasionally annoying, it hardly ever causes any harm.

[Donald Perley]

Consider also that the amount of wear a vehicle inflicts on a road is related to its weight, in a more than proportional relationship.  200 pound bike & rider vs 4000 pound car or 40,000 pound truck.

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[Veronica Tunucci]

"Rolling through a stop sign can also be likened to passing cyclists with
minimal clearance while driving at 10% over the speed
limit: many do it, few get caught and, while occasionally annoying, it
hardly ever causes any harm."

That's BS. The intent of a car passing a cyclist with minimal clearance is
to intimate and is hostile; negative behaviors. The cyclist passing through
the stop sign without interfering with motorist traffic is more likened to
the pedestrian walking across the street and not stopping at the stop sign.
Pedestrians....same roads, same rules?

Veronica

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