I simply believe that users of the roads should pay for them. Those of us who drive pay fuel taxes, vehicle registration fees, tolls and other funds that cover the cost of highway maintenance. Those people who do not drive pay nothing. What could be more fair than that? And why shouldn't cyclists who make use of the roads, which are not free, be allowed to use them for free?
... you obviously are a pro-tax Liberal.
And your position that cyclists should use facilities for which they have not paid makes you a... what?
Or maybe you believe that drivers should continue to subsidize the costs of cyclists' use of the roads, just like we subsidize things like mass transit and other BS that has nothing to do with roads. Congratulations, you're now advocating for wealth redistribution. This also makes you a... what?
Furthermore, it appears that you are an elitist who feels that others should pay for something you freely [ab]use ...
Yawn. Sure I have.
I would also like to correct a glaring error in your statement. Bicyclists do pay taxes for the roads since all surface roads are not paid by gasoline taxes but out of the local government's general funds. That is, the same streets that you drive on, that joggers run on, and that cyclists commute on are paid from general taxes like property, and sales taxes.
Except that in most places roads are funded through fees and taxes directed specifically at drivers. And again, you've not made any case, other than "I hate you and you suck," as to why cyclists should get to use roads for free.
Except that in most places roads are funded through fees and taxes directed specifically at drivers.
In Texas I know for a fact that is not true, and I strongly suspect that most everywhere else, roads are paid for from the general fund. Furthermore, you incorrectly assume that either one is exclusively a cyclist or exclusively a motorist. Even if a cyclist owns a car but never drives it, all of those fees and registration are paid for by the individual who is also a cyclist. If anything the amortized costs of those registration fees are more than made up for because the cyclist uses far less space and has zero effect on the pavement.
Cyclists, unless run-over and injured by hatefilled Freepers with their 3/4 ton pickup trucks fitted with grill guards, are less burden on the health care system than the typical burger chomping motorist. Cyclists aren't killing people on the roadway by cycling drunk or texting instead of driving, yet motorists routinely jeopardize others by their careless behavior. Bicycles also don't contribute to road wear and pot holes, nor to smog. So from a social economic standpoint, motorists are costing cyclists in increased road-repair, health and energy costs. Where is the love?
I simply believe that users of the roads should pay for them
The city often spends tax money on parks, baseball and soccer fields, pools, ice-rinks, community centers, July fireworks, children's exercise programs and a vast host of other recreational venues and activities. So its OK when you use the tax-payer paid park or library without paying a "user fee", but somehow its sinful and evil for a cyclist to use a tax-payer paid roadway to go to work or the store. That is a remarkably bigoted view towards a class of people.
You pretend that only privately owned passenger vehicle operators use the roads. How do you think products get to the store? Magic? How do kids get to school or to any of the aforementioned tax-payer paid for "free" recreation venues? Teleportation? How about Emergency services? Trash pick-up? Should elderly people and the handicapped who are shut in be refused the mail, paper delivery, sanitation, emergency services because they aren't making regular contributions to the roadway through vehicle registration taxes? All of Society benefits from paved roadways, and it is silly to assume that roads are only for you.
Why aren't you throwing rocks at people who ride the bus? According to you, they aren't paying their fair share. And why aren't you all up in arms whenever a teenager hits the streets with her friends going to the mall? They aren't paying road use taxes since they don't own or rent property. Why don't you get outraged when kids play basketball down in the cul-de-sac? Same roadway, they are using it for recreation and yet you aren't screaming at the top of your lungs demanding that they get the hell off the street unless they pay tribute.
Are you out on the city or state limits ready to shake down any out of state driver who might just happen to use the roads but not buy something as they are just passing through? Is there pent-up rage towards the operator of a Volt or Leaf?
Nah, its just better to hate some anonymous stranger who is innocently pedaling along minding their own business. For all you know that cyclist might be pedaling to work while many motorists are just tooling around shuffling their offspring from one taxpayer paid for "free" recreation venue to another.