The GOP Hates Bikes

[n2doc]

| Tue Oct. 25, 2011 9:24 AM PDT

Over the past few months, as Republicans have focused their attention on cutting what they see as wasteful government spending, they've zeroed in on a surprising new target: bicyclists, and the programs that serve them.

The federal government spends about $40 billion a year on transportation projects. Of that, about $928 million has been devoted to what's known as a "transportation enhancement" program, which provides funding for projects—including rails-to-trails conversions, bike lanes and bridges—that make cycling safer, and thus more viable as a commuting option. But as Congress gears up to reauthorize the massive transportation funding bill this year, Republicans are arguing that states shouldn't be forced to use scarce transportation funds to encourage bike commuting when bridges for cars are falling down.

"We’re doing all these things that, if we had extra money, if we were running a surplus, sure, nobody would really be complaining about it," Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) told the Washington Post. But, Coburn added, "We can no longer have silly priorities get in the way of real needs."

States spend only about 1 percent of all transportation funds on projects devoted to cycling or pedestrian improvements. Yet Republicans see this as an area ripe for cutting. Over the summer, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) targeted DC's nascent Capitol Bikeshare program, which provides cheap rental bikes at subway stations and other strategic locations in the Washington Metro area (including northern Virginia) to encourage bike commuting.

more

http://motherjones.com/mojo/2011/10/gop-hates-bikes

[Lance_Boyle]

1. Bicycling in the US is maybe 5% transportation and 95% recreation

I think it is entirely reasonable to expect that most of the "rails to trails" type projects be funded out of something other than the transportation budget, because those trails are used almost exclusively for recreation, not transportation.

[kestrel91316]

2. My bicycling is 95% transportation and 5% recreation.

But back on topic, bicycle recreation should be funded for its health benefits and subsequent decrease in healthcare expenditures.

[ret5hd]

4. Yeah, we wouldn't want to accidentally reverse those numbers.

[DemInBuckhead]

5. Statistics in the US are maybe 75% made up

Bike/pedestrian infrastructure is made up of much more than "rails to trails" projects.

[OKIsItJustMe]

8. If I had a good bike route between home and work, I’d commute by bike more often

To avoid sharing the roadway with high-speed traffic, I need to:

1. Take a less direct route.
2. Climb unnecessary hills.

I find it unpleasant to arrive for work all sweaty (which this Summer’s weather virtually guaranteed.)

[Warpy]

3. They're all terrified they're going to be inconvenienced

by having to yield to a slower vehicle, respect a painted lane, or (heaven forbid) have to drape their flabby asses over a saddle and put forth some effort, themselves.

What you need to know about Republicans is that they're petty people who take everything personally, whether it has a chance of ever affecting them or not.

[wtmusic]

7. Coburn is terrified no one will want OK fossil fuels anymore. nt

[Scuba]

6. Why isn't Coburn in jail?????

[dtexdem]

9. Oh, give them a break! After all, the bikes don't use gas, so don't support oil company profits.

;-)

[Nihil]

10. "We can no longer have silly priorities get in the way of real needs."

Well, that's just f*cked the Defence budget ... which means that
there is a TON of money now available for infrastructure, health
and other "real needs" ...

:shrug: