Who says we don't or aren't willing to pay for infrastructure?
Posted by: KarlOct 16 2007, 2:40 pm
For years now we have heard the complaint that bicyclists don’t pay for the bike infrastructure. A lot of people incorrectly believe that gas taxes and vehicle registration fees are the only funds that pay for roads. These folks forget, or are simply unaware of, the money for roads that comes from property taxes, system development charges and other funds that everyone pays regardless of whether or not they drive a car. Well, we now have an opportunity to support a program that will even more directly get at the issue of cyclists paying their fair share.
Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams is proposing an infrastructure maintenance and safety enhancement package that would largely be funded by a fee placed on every property’s utility bill. The fee would be $4.50 per household per month and it can be reduced if you demonstrate that you engage in a number of environmentally sustainable practices. Everyone pays and everyone benefits.
Commissioner Adams’ proposal is called Safe, Sound and Green Streets. It would raise over $350 million to fund two very important goals—to catch up on the growing backlog of arterial street maintenance and to implement over $50 million in critical safety projects. While the BTA recognizes the importance of well-maintained streets to cycling, it is the safety package that has us in 100% support of Commissioner Adams’ proposal.
The safety component of the transportation funding package will fund over 100 miles of Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Corridors (AKA Bicycle Boulevards); it will fund the important Safe Routes to Schools program; it will improve pedestrian access to transit; and it will bring advances in bicycle and pedestrian safety going farther than the City has ever gone before!
But to make it happen, we need you to attend one of a series of town hall meetings being conducted throughout the City in the next two weeks and show your support for this package. Without clear support from bicyclists for the bike safety elements of the package, and without support from everyone for the entire proposal, it could die.
The meeting dates, times and locations are listed below. The meetings will consist of a one-hour presentation and then an opportunity to make comments and ask questions. Further information can be found on www.safeandsoundstreets.com. It is vital that you turn out and let the City know how important these safety improvements are.
Tuesday, October 16, 7-9 pm
Central Northeast Portland
Madison High School – 2735 82nd Avenue
Thursday October 18, 7-9 pm
Northeast Portland
Jefferson High School – 5210 N Kerby Avenue
Monday October 22, 7-9 pm
East Portland
Menlo Park Elementary School –12900 NE Glisan
Tuesday October 23, 7-9 pm
North Portland
Rosa Parks Elementary — 8930 N Woolsey
Wednesday October 24, 7-9 pm
Northwest Portland
Metropolitan Learning Center– 2033 NW Glisan
Monday October 29, 7-9 pm
Southwest Portland
Wilson High School — 11SW Vermont
Tuesday October 30, 7-9 pm
Southeast Portland
Sellwood Middle School — 8300 SE 15th Avenue
For more information about the safe, sound and green streets project please call 503-823-1394.
I commute by bicycle and ride often for pleasure; what happened
Oct 23 2007 at 3:34 pmto the two cyclists over the past couple of weeks was tragic. There
are extremists on both side; I am hoping the rationale motorists
and cyclists are the majority; it takes education and awareness
on both sides.
The last accident happened at the bottom of a hill. The cyclist could easily have been doing 30+ mph at the corner. If the cyclist was unaware that the truck could turn, or learned too late to stop in time once he did learn the truck was turning, he would have had no time to stop. At 30+, it can be difficult to stop quickly. I know this first hand, but never did collide with anything.
Oct 23 2007 at 9:25 pmThere are too many car drivers that do not pay attention to other cars, much less bikes, motorized or otherwise. There are almost as many bicyclists that do not obey the law - they run stop signs / lights, do not signal, and most important, do not us a headlight after sundown. I have mentioned the non stopping to several cyclists - they either ignore me or say "I'm aware of my surroundings" - like that gives you the right to break the law.
Both of the recent deaths may have had the right of way. Many times in my car I have the right of way, but that does not mean that I take it at the cost of a collision.
Fewer scofflaws would make for fewer collisions and/or deaths.
I believe we all have a responsibility to fund improvements in safety infrastructure and I would willingly do so. I believe councilman Adams' proposal is a reasonable approach to funding needed infrastructure and to share the cost.
As to the recent accidents, I think driver awareness is key. And I I think driver citations are in order when they violate a bike lane. This will raise awareness among drivers quicker than anything else. If an auto violated another auto lane, causing a "right hook" accident, there is no question a citation would be written. Why is it any different with a bike lane?
Oct 24 2007 at 8:45 amI know and am related to MANY cyclists. The suggestion I really like is that in drivers ed for car drivers there be included a focus on sharing the road with bikes AND I believe biking in traffic should require training and a license as well - how else will a young rider be introduced to the complexities of riding on busy streets. We can't continue with these tragedies without taking some major steps for education
Oct 24 2007 at 11:55 amI'm all in favor of my taxes going toward bicycle projects, as I pay my due every month, and use bicycle lanes daily. However, I am not in favor of giving more taxes or fees when I have seen, and worked side by side with, the kind of waste that an unaccountable government produces. We should demand that the City, County and State be accountable to us. If they stood up and ran like a business, not a charity, Sam would not need to ask for more money - he would have it in excess.
Regarding accidents - WE have to be responsible for ourselves. As bicyclists, we need to obey traffic laws. We are not special. We are owed nothing. And when facing a vehicle, we are very fragile.
Ride safely. Please.
Oct 24 2007 at 6:30 pm