Comments on: Klobuchar & Webb: Dems’ Unlikely Opponents of Bike-Ped Investment http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/09/16/klobuchar-webb-dems%e2%80%99-unlikely-opponents-of-bike-ped-investment/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Mon, 22 Mar 2010 12:05:51 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Shemp http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/09/16/klobuchar-webb-dems%e2%80%99-unlikely-opponents-of-bike-ped-investment/comment-page-1/#comment-119521 Shemp Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:16:56 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=48861#comment-119521 Stating that there is "a mandate to spend 10 percent of federal transportation aid on bike and pedestrian paths" dramatically overstates the issue here and plays into the hands of these opponents. If that was true, this country would already be like Denmark or the Netherlands. There is a 10% set aside from one of a handful of major FHWA programs that contains a strong bike/ped eligibility, not a mandate. The states that are doing anything worthwhile with bike/ped in fact use funding from a variety of other programs as well, because this funding source ("Transportation Enhancements") is not in fact that extensive. Stating that there is "a mandate to spend 10 percent of federal transportation aid on bike and pedestrian paths" dramatically overstates the issue here and plays into the hands of these opponents. If that was true, this country would already be like Denmark or the Netherlands. There is a 10% set aside from one of a handful of major FHWA programs that contains a strong bike/ped eligibility, not a mandate. The states that are doing anything worthwhile with bike/ped in fact use funding from a variety of other programs as well, because this funding source ("Transportation Enhancements") is not in fact that extensive.

]]> By: john http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/09/16/klobuchar-webb-dems%e2%80%99-unlikely-opponents-of-bike-ped-investment/comment-page-1/#comment-119481 john Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:35:47 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=48861#comment-119481 Love it when those who claim to enjoy cycling show up for a group ride with their bike on a back of a large SUV even though they live nearby. There is a major difference between recreational cyclists and bike commuters. Most recreational cyclists I know would never consider using their bikes to get to work or to run errands. Love it when those who claim to enjoy cycling show up for a group ride with their bike on a back of a large SUV even though they live nearby. There is a major difference between recreational cyclists and bike commuters. Most recreational cyclists I know would never consider using their bikes to get to work or to run errands.

]]> By: clever-title http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/09/16/klobuchar-webb-dems%e2%80%99-unlikely-opponents-of-bike-ped-investment/comment-page-1/#comment-119421 clever-title Thu, 17 Sep 2009 01:08:27 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=48861#comment-119421 And what's so bad about letting people check guns & ammunition on Amtrak? Several trains (Adirondack, Ethan Allen, Californis Zephyr, Empire Builder) go to hunting destinations. Without that provision, I'd have to drive or fly (yes, you can check guns on airlines) when I'd much rather take the train. And what's so bad about letting people check guns & ammunition on Amtrak? Several trains (Adirondack, Ethan Allen, Californis Zephyr, Empire Builder) go to hunting destinations. Without that provision, I'd have to drive or fly (yes, you can check guns on airlines) when I'd much rather take the train.

]]> By: Albert http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/09/16/klobuchar-webb-dems%e2%80%99-unlikely-opponents-of-bike-ped-investment/comment-page-1/#comment-119361 Albert Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:51:13 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=48861#comment-119361 "Klobuchar...has spoken often of her personal appreciation of biking, hiking, and other outdoor activities, and welcomed a 14-year-old climate activist to Washington after the young girl's 1,500-mile bike ride." Reminds me of a contentious community board transportation committee meeting a few months ago, where a fit-looking guy stood up to speak (on the topic of the proposed bike lane) and began with the disclaimer, "This comes from an avid bicyclist." Next thing out of his mouth was, "Bicycles are not an appropriate form of transportation," as if this was the 11th commandment. "Live-life-to-the-fullest" bicycling types don't necessarily understand or agree with "transportation" types, just because they might like to get out in the country and tear around on their studded tires (forgive the generalization). "Klobuchar...has spoken often of her personal appreciation of biking, hiking, and other outdoor activities, and welcomed a 14-year-old climate activist to Washington after the young girl's 1,500-mile bike ride."

Reminds me of a contentious community board transportation committee meeting a few months ago, where a fit-looking guy stood up to speak (on the topic of the proposed bike lane) and began with the disclaimer, "This comes from an avid bicyclist." Next thing out of his mouth was, "Bicycles are not an appropriate form of transportation," as if this was the 11th commandment. "Live-life-to-the-fullest" bicycling types don't necessarily understand or agree with "transportation" types, just because they might like to get out in the country and tear around on their studded tires (forgive the generalization).

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