nash said:"BigPurdueFan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:BigPurdueFan said:On Apr 21, 9:40 am, "Claire Petersky" <[email hidden]>
wrote:
> "BigPurdueFan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
> news:[email hidden]...
>> On Apr 20, 3:05 am, Jym Dyer <[email hidden]> wrote:
>>> =v= Cars do so much harm to the environment that the cost of
>>> running them, already high, must be propped up even further
>>> with hidden subsidies. In fact, they are operated at such
>>> a high cost that it is more accurate to say that those using
>>> alternative transportation are subsidizing THEM. Bikes more
>>> than anyone else, of course.
>> Now that's funny.
> Funny to you, maybe, but true. However, since I'm generally a generous
> person, I don't mind supporting your motorist lifestyle. Just give me
> smile,
> and a wave -- with all five fingers -- when you pass.
I'd love to know how your bicycle riding supports my "lifestyle".
And that means using facts, instead of saying "hidden subsidies".
Let's see some numbers.
Do your own homework. Phone a bicycle advocate group. Google it.
You obviously only see the driver's side of everything.
Oh yeah, and ride a bike for 2 years no car. That hard facts enough for
you.
Lets get a bit honest here folks, you can't turn back the clock. The
national economies all depend on motorized transport. Cycling is at
best a recreational activity and will remain so. The argument that you
should bike to local shops for errands is specious at best. So what if I
do that? The goods I am traveling to acquire HAD to be trucked to the
shop over those roads.
How do I carry a weeks groceries for a family of 3 or 4 on my bike? Do
we all live in 19the century village? I looked at the numbers in one of
the Victoria reports comparing a motorist driving 10K miles a year with
a cyclist doing 3K. First off, I typically drive 28K miles a year to
cover basic errand and work related travel. The 3K number is about 8
miles a day 365 days a year. Would I bike in all weather, wearing a
suit to make a call on a business client. Not bloody likely. So the
road is needed for the days that a car is required.
In any event, the arguments are silly, the roads must exist for our
culture to survive, unless you want to reduce population by 60% and
return to 1830. Therefore by extension, cyclist should be tolerated or
provided with little self-sustaining communes where they can grow it,
mine it, manufacture it and generally fall off the grid and tax base.
Probably won't have too many light bulbs or iPods though. Probably not
many bikes ether after about 30 years.
Joe
