BIKE: "States Mull Taxing Drivers By Mile"

[Roger Baker]

Dick is quite right.

What many bike riders do not realize is how basically and badly their 
interests are hurt by any process that is, in reality, designed to 
perpetuate funding for roads -- as CAMPO is now committing us to do, 
big time.  This at the expense of funding other inherently less 
wasteful transportation modes like bikes and more compact city 
development.

A more compact city is being mandated by rising energy costs, even now 
before world oil peaks, but much more strongly afterwards. The truth of 
this is shown in the video "The End of Suburbia". This truth is also 
revealed by the article in today's Austin Statesman that lots of Austin 
motorists are already simply abandoning their cars by the side of 
highways -- since the upkeep cost is now more than the transportation 
benefit for many low income drivers.

All CAMPO/TxDOT attempts to deny this reality by using by using  
tactics of intimidation, and now by trying to shield themselves from 
independent review of the CAMPO planning process (supported by Brewster 
McCracken) -- are bound to fail in the long run.

Pay no mind to the fact that the road contractors have given Rick Perry 
more than a million in cash since he's been Governor. Hang in and we'll 
win.

Political corruption is a  sign of weakness after you've exhausted the 
honest, legitimate means of political persuasion. Venceremos!

-- Roger





On Feb 15, 2005, at 4:03 PM, Richard Ryan wrote:

> "It's not fair for people like me who have to commute, and we don't
>  have any choice but take the freeways," says Just.
>  "We shouldn't have to be taxed."
>  
> Just made his "choice when he chose to live so far from work.
>  
> What isn't "fair" that those of us who choose to live close to work, 
> or choose to bicycle or walk, still have to pay for the roads and 
> their upkeep.
>  
> Dick Ryan