MARTA to make an $8 billion pitch to change the face of Atlanta (safe, air pollution)

[cwkimbro]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Are you kidding me? How much wear and tear does a bike cause to a road compare to an SUV?

I don't think this should happen, because income would be low while cost of enforcement will be high and current bike use is still too low. However, if we had the type of culture that exists in Amsterdam or Northern Germany in some parts of town, taxing the huge amounts of cyclists would be a way to pay for the extreme amount of cycling infrastructure those areas would need.

But I fail to see why the idea gets such a rash reaction. We are building dedicated lanes for cyclists. Those parts of the roadways will still capital costs to built and maintenance. Why is it a far-fetch for someone to suggest some kind of user or proxy user tax?

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by cwkimbro

I don't think this should happen, because income would be low while cost of enforcement will be high and current bike use is still too low. However, if we had the type of culture that exists in Amsterdam or Northern Germany in some parts of town, taxing the huge amounts of cyclists would be a way to pay for the extreme amount of cycling infrastructure those areas would need.

But I fail to see why the idea gets such a rash reaction. We are building dedicated lanes for cyclists. Those parts of the roadways will still capital costs to built and maintenance. Why is it a far-fetch for someone to suggest some kind of user or proxy user tax?

If built as part of a road repaving/reconstruction, the added cost of bicycle facilities is almost negligible.

[cwkimbro]

Originally Posted by Gulch

If built as part of a road repaving/reconstruction, the added cost of bicycle facilities is almost negligible.

That's not really true though.

significant right of way costs, significant square footage of pavement, significant amount of road markings and signage.

Whenever it is repaved in the future that square footage of asphalt laid still costs money at the same rate for square footage in the regular auto lanes.


All of these conversion projects have had a price tag associated with them. When they do the planning studies and ask for funds for bicycles projects in things like the TSPLOST or the 2040 ARC plans, there is a real cost.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by Gulch

If built as part of a road repaving/reconstruction, the added cost of bicycle facilities is almost negligible.

Exactly, this is why almost all road projects or re-stripping in CoA reduces lane widths and adds in bike lanes for little cost. Not many roads intown have the ROW for separated bike paths, this is where bike lanes and removing a lane for cycle tracks come into play. The only way to add separated bike paths intown is to remove a lane of vehicle traffic, like they do in Europe.
The Peachtree Center Ave Cycle Track cost $300K.

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Are you kidding me? How much wear and tear does a bike cause to a road compare to an SUV?

Not kidding at all. It's a user fee, just like motorists pay. Why should cyclists get to use the infrastructure for free?

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by AnsleyPark

Not kidding at all. It's a user fee, just like motorists pay. Why should cyclists get to use the infrastructure for free?

Their impact on the street is minimum if any more than pedestrian impact. You going to charge peds too? Cyclists are simply using the the existing infrastructure, when bike lanes or sharrows are added. Cycle tracks cost a little bit more, but not as much as adding vehicle lanes to a road. We don't need separate bike paths everywhere, they are more costly and require property acquisition.

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Their impact on the street is minimum if any more than pedestrian impact. You going to charge peds too? Cyclists are simply using the the existing infrastructure, when bike lanes or sharrows are added. Cycle tracks cost a little bit more, but not as much as adding vehicle lanes to a road. We don't need separate bike paths everywhere, they are more costly and require property acquisition.

Motorcycles and mopeds do little to impact the streets, but they have tags.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by AnsleyPark

Motorcycles and mopeds do little to impact the streets, but they have tags.

Motorcycles yes, but weigh a lot more and are capable of freeway speeds. Mopeds do not need tags.
Georgia Other Types of Motorcycles - GA Scooter & Moped Info | DMV.org Do a Google search or something before commenting.

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Motorcycles yes, but weigh a lot more and are capable of freeway speeds. Mopeds do not need tags.
Georgia Other Types of Motorcycles - GA Scooter & Moped Info | DMV.org Do a Google search or something before commenting.

Why Google it when someone here tells the answer! Thanks for letting me know! I still believe cyclists should pay a user fee.

[toll_booth]

Originally Posted by AnsleyPark

Why Google it when someone here tells the answer! Thanks for letting me know! I still believe cyclists should pay a user fee.

Sorry, I couldn't disagree with this more. Bicyclists should be rewarded, not punished, for using a means of transportation that is much easier on the road than much heavier vehicles are.

The system should accommodate ALL modes of transportation. Not just single drivers in their 16-MPG SUVs.