[Z3n]

In california, you can lane split, who cares? I drive from santa cruz to san diego 3-6 times a year, and i have to split through LA pretty much anytime i go through there.



It's interesting though, that they're putting a big emphasis on shared vechicle solutions which seems to be the best idea, IMHO.



Also, i think it's worth noting that as much as we all love our motorcycles, they're really not for everyone, and I don't think i'd be comfortable stuck in traffic on a bike.



As far as cali laws are concerned though, motorcycles are allowed to use the diamond (carpool) lanes, so the entire concept is somewhat irrelevant to me...but anything that'll keep cars off the road is a good idea in my book.



(For the record, i ride rain or shine...i own no vechicle but my motorcycle.)

 

[33342]

Motorcycles in US Transportation Policy

It's as if we are completely invisible to Government and academic policy wonks alike here, even though European countries utilize powered two-wheelers in their transportation planning. In the radio stroy, they acknowledge a 4-8% decrease in traffic means a decrease in congestion of 50%. How do you shrink the volume of traffic 4-8%? Put 10% of commuters onto scooters and motorcycles. Duh! Not for everybody, but maybe, just maybe encouraging motorcycle use could actually see that goal.

There's traffic everywhere, and as sprawl gets worse, traffic will get worse, unless innovative solutions like road pricing are combined with encouraging alternatives to the car.

-Gabe

 

[seruzawa]

All very well and nice, but the taxpayers pay for the roads. Now they gotta pay to use them? Funny that the only solutions they ever think of involve soaking the public for more money. As if consuming $9000 per taxpayer already isn't enough for the Fed Govt.



For the math challenged Fed budget currently 2.7 Trillion (that's 2.7 million millions) / 300 million citizens = $9000 per citizen. That's $36,000 per average family. In Utah the State Govt runs $4 Billion with only 2.5 million citizens gives...... cha ching $1,600 per citizen. Then there's County taxes.......about $1000 per citizen. This makes my personal share of the appropriate tax burdens about $11,600. That's $46,400 for my family. And that ain't enough? Whathefock? I need to pay more?



If these numbers aren't enough, what numbers are? There have to be other solutions than just soaking the public to make up for the incompetence of the govt.

 

[iamz]

Living in the greater Mpls./St.Paul region myself, I can assure you that motorcycles and and cars with at least two people in them can always use these lanes for free. They have been underutilized though, so that's why they now allow cars with only one occupant to pay a fee and use these lanes also.

 

[056]

You are a Genius at disingenuousess!

Do YOU pay $46,400 in total taxes per year? If you do, you either need to get a better tax preparer or you are making a LOT of money, so I can't really muster up much pity for you.

Corporate tax burden has slipped from 16% 30 years ago to under 10% today. What's up with that? We spend a lot of money, true, but of that 2.568 trillion (and by the way, we only came up with 2.1 trillion in taxes, there was a shortfall called a "deficit" you may have heard of so it actually is only $7000 per person), most of it (1.6 trillion) isn't discretionary social spending. States have an even smaller amount in their discretionary spending ledgers; in CA it's less than 10%.

Anyway, since government is a human-devised tool for public utilization of resources, of course a government solution will invlove spending money. That's what governments do.

Government has plenty of solutions availalble to them for decreasing traffic congestion. The problem is that nobody likes them. Carpool lanes? People don't use them.

In any case, nobody is charging anybody to use the roads in Minnesota; they are being charged to use one particular lane. If you choose not to use that lane, you sit in the same traffic jam as before. There's a good quote in the story; if government makes a public resource available for free, people will use it all up. I'm reading a book about our modern food production system, and it's the same with corn; government policies make it practically free, so we now produce billions more tons of the stuff than we can use, so we're figuring out how to eat it all by making it into corn syrup, cows, and even gasoline.

Anyway, think of the wealth created by the existence of our road networks, and you'll see that they have paid for themselves many times over.

 

[55028]

Got any ideas?

Vote for pols how will push for mass transit, convince people to share rides, live closer to work, ride a bike. Or put up with people practicing their free will to live where they want and drive where they want on roads, whose value, by principle of supply and demand, have become greater. That being said do you have any ideas, regarding a solution?

 

[151]

"The power to tax involves the power to destroy" John Marshall/1819

An unfair tax system encourages dishonesty and has created more liars than golf and fishing combined.

One last thing, If it only cost $.03 to produce all currency in this country, what makes a twenty worth more than a one?

 

[56599]

WA state is going to start doing this on SR 167. Currently, WA state motorcycles can use the HOV (carpool) lane. I fear this will just clog up the HOV lane taking away the advantage of motorcycles, Buses, Vanpools, etc.



For those of you that live in red-states or red areas (rural) areas you (seruzaweasel) will probably be preaching about Big Bad Government making us pay another tax. But those of us who commute everyday see this as just another way to allocate scarce resources hell they have tool roads/bridges back east what is the diff. Ronnie Raygun Reagan would be happy cause he would call it a user fee not a tax... It's is probably the only way to get money to build roads in states where red areas (Eastern Washington) don't want to pay higher gax taxes for roads i.e. we don't want to pay for Seattle freeways..



I don't like the fact it will clog up the HOV lane.

 

[56599]

Re: You are a Genius at disingenuousess!

Gabe that was excellent. As a moderate i.e liberal Republican/conservative democrat) I think there is a role for government in creating infrastructure for commerce.

Well said. I think you need to write an opinion column.. i.e. be the Chris Mathews of motorcycling.

 

[seruzawa]

Don't stop now.

I'm sure there are more looters out there.

 

[56599]

Re: Don't stop now.

When is the last time you were in a city of any size?

 

[BrowningBAR]

Re: Don't stop now.

Well, I live in philly.

And if they start charging to use roads (more than just the turnpike) I sure as hell hope they plan on filling in the damn elephant size potholes.

 

[Fenton]

I looked you up on MCUSA today. I'm going to visit the training blog weekly. Btw, I didn't know you had a black/yellow 6. That was my favorite combo in '01

 

[56599]

Re: Motorcycles in US Transportation Policy

I totally agree. WA state for the last 2 decades has rejected any increase in the gas tax which was based on cents not a percent of the price. Then sprawl happened. Traffic congestion got bad but folks still wouldn't pay for it. Then leadership from companies like Boeing, Microsoft, Starbucks, Nordstoms, Kenworth, and the organizations like the Port of Seattle said hey enough is enough we can't move our people and freight efficiently. All the large corporate stakeholders got behind the initiative and it was finally passed and new projects began. The Right wingers than challenged the constitutionality but fortunately road building, HOV construction, Light Rail, (innovative and diverse solutions)continued. Eventually, the State Supreme court threw out the challenge. Meanwhile Seattle is far behind the curve. But progress is being made. You can see it on 167, 18, etc.

 

[BrowningBAR]

Philly is pretty blue.



And unorganized.



Has a lot of corruption.



Wastes a lot of tax dollars.



And we do have the Turnpike!



Whhheeeeeee!!!!!



Government is Super Awesome Fun!

 

[BrowningBAR]

It's what all the rock stars rode back in '01.

 

[56599]

Thanks...At the time I choose Yellow cause I wanted to me very visible . I think now I am leaning towards black... Yep my training took a hit this week I am at a Leadership conference in St. Louis this week.. Lots of food and we have do management simulations, case studies, and "networking". Believe or not I actually like to network with my peers....i.e. not everyone hates me just the GPTB hates "kpaul"...They have a nice rec center but I sleep in.. P.S. I had to order another piece to the Pinlock antifogs lens the MUSA description was unclear... Now wife is pissed cause I spent almost $70 on a fog shield (She left a voice mail). In Seattle, its worth it.. Think I will say I am networking tonight and not call her back tonight ..

 

[BrowningBAR]

Where was the photo taken? Is it anyplace near you? Kind of looks like a farm/ranch land in the back.

 

[The_AirHawk]

Stock Photo.

 

[56599]

Thats why I can't go totally Democrat..i.e. in Republican States like Colorado and Texas if they think they need to build a new airport, roads or light rail they do it... i.e. they make a decision and go... Seattle doesn't have a Mayor Daily like democrat or is run by Republicans who see the transportation system as something that is need for commerce... So the democrats can never decide meanwhile companies and now a basketball team decide to leave.. I am also ProLife.. from my Catholic background on my moms side I think.. I am also for a strong defense and tough on crime... But I don't like people telling people how to live, or what to believe in or who can get married.. So I guess I am liberal there.