WA Legislator: Cyclists increased respiration leads to air pollution" $25 Carbon TAX.

http://bikeportland.org/2013/03/02/wa-legislator-cyclists-increased-respiration-leads-to-air-pollution-83669 ^

[DaveinOK54]

WA Legislator: Cyclists increased respiration leads to air pollution" $25 Carbon TAX. Rep. Ed Orcutt thinks that "bicyclists are actually polluting when they ride" because, "the act of riding a bike results in greater emissions of carbon dioxide from the rider." A high-ranking Washington legislator has added insult to injury in his support for a bike tax by claiming that bicycling is not environmentally friendly because people who ride bikes pollute the air when they breathe. (snip)

Here's the entire text of Orcutt's email:

"I am not a fan of the House Transportation tax proposal, nor of many tax proposals, but I have to admit I think there are valid reasons to tax bicycles. Think about this for a moment: Currently motorists are paying to use their cars on the roads while they are actually driving their cars. At the same time they are paying for bike lanes because there is no gas tax — or any transportation tax — generated by the act of riding on the roadways. So, if cars pay for the roads they are using, it only makes sense that bicyclists would also be required to 'pay' for the roads they use when they are actually biking on them.

Also, you claim that is is environmentally friendly to ride a bike. But if I am not mistaken a cyclists [sic] has an increased heart rate and respiration. That means the act of riding a bike results in greater emissions of carbon dioxide from the rider. Since CO2 is deemed a greenhouse gas and a pollutant, bicyclists are actually polluting when they ride.

I know, you own a car and drive so you are paying gas tax — but not while you are riding your bike. When you are driving your car and generating gas tax you are also driving on the roads so are only really paying for the roads while driving — not while biking.

Sorry, but I do think that bicyclists need to start paying for the roads they ride on rather than make motorists pay.

Ed

[pennyfarmer]

I am not sure about where you live but here in Utah there are a few bike paths. One in particular is currently 40 miles long. I ride it quite often.

I like having the paths to ride but I don’t really know what the costs or benefits are for having them. I don’t think they help car traffic because they often run along areas that they managed to secure land not necessarily along normal travel routs. The rails to trails program is one of the biggest organizations for these things cause they can take a RR right of way and make a long trail.

I also commute by bike but there are no trails that I can utilize and most of the ride is on shoulder less rural roads.

I wish we could say that the paths reduce traffic by “X” but I don’t think they do a blessed thing. Not sure how they can justify using gas taxes to build them. The bike lanes are a joke cause I often have to dodge garbage cans and other debris that are either parked in them or tossed into them.

I just wish that both users can respect each other without all the “I’m better than you” attitudes. I often times stop to help stranded motorists cause I generally have more tools than they do. :)

[Dead Corpse]

Read post 31 and get back to us.

Your sarcasm meter is broken.

[right way right]

I want to start an initiative
to change our state name to “Taxes”.

Also,our state song should be “Everybody must get stoned”

[dontreadthis]

maybe “/s” should not be discretionary

[elkfersupper]

I love it. Those Spandex-clad potential roadkill require me to hit the turbo and cover them all up with diesel exhaust while they are also worrying about the proximity of my side mirrors and bumpers.

Roads are for motorized vehicles. These jokers need to take their toys to the bike paths and stay off the roads.

[beelzepug]

Annual. Just like renewing your car tabs every year.

[beelzepug]

I do understand your point but here’s my beef. I own a car, a pickup, and a motorcycle. I can’t operate all three at the same time but I still have to buy a license for all three at full price. I ride the motorcycle more during summer months, the car when my wife and I go somewhere together, and the pickup when I need to haul something.

[pennyfarmer]

I never said I thought it was fair. I think that bike users could stand to shoulder some of the responsibility for roads. I am not sure what that looks like. I do know that there is an organized volunteer effort that looks pretty good on the outside that involves cyclists putting forth the hours to improve trails.

If things continue status quo with cars paying for the bike lanes then I can’t say I am too sorry. Other than I am using both ends. I just don’t understand how it can continue, other than the liberals are in charge.

[I_be_tc]

I have been saying they need to pay $1000 per year for road tax. They have all the rights, and more, with the right to ride on any street and they get a 3 foot clearance. Time for them to pay for the roads they have stolen.