m-bike.org

Author: Todd Scott

  • Bicyclists don’t pay their share of road taxes

    Some have vehemently claimed that bicyclists don’t pay road taxes and therefore shouldn’t benefit from good roads. Oh, and cyclists are arrogant.

    Sounds like 2011? Try 1893.

    The Michigan Legislature was about to pass the County Road Law which, upon a vote of the people, would amend the State Constitution to allow counties to levy taxes and construct roads. Some anti-tax farmers from Genesee, Michigan would have no part of that. [Ed. emphasis ours]

    To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Michigan, Lansing, Michigan:

    We, the undersigned, farmers of the county of Genesee, Michigan, learning that there is a bill now before your honorable body the object of which is to repeal our present system of highway laws and enact in its stead laws making all highway taxes payable in cash, thereby depriving us of the privilege of paying a portion of our taxes in labor, and looking to large and expensive improvements on the highways of this State, would most respectfully and earnestly remonstrate against the passage of such an act. We as a class feel that our present system is sufficient for all practical purposes, and being a class of citizens upon whom the taxes of our State fall most heavily, do most earnestly protest against the passage of this or any other law that will tend to increase the taxes of the hard worked and already tax-burdened farmer, for the benefit, as it appears to us, of a comparative few non-taxpaying, arrogant wheelmen. And your petitioners will ever pray.

    Linden March 2, 1893

    The farmers didn’t win the argument. County Road Law of 1893 passed and the people amended the Michigan Constitution in 1894. This law was passed with leadership from the Good Roads movement, including Detroit bicyclist Edward N. Hines.

    And as for today’s cyclists, yes, they do pay their share of taxes for roads. A recent Pew Charitable Trust study found that fuel taxes and vehicle license fees paid for 51% of road costs. The remaining 49% comes from other sources such a general funds and millages, which cyclists pay. That doesn’t include the external costs of motor vehicles which is borne by the general population.

    Arrogant cyclists? Some. Freeloaders? Not at all.

    Further Reading: The History of Roads in Michigan

  • Two Complete Streets meetings planned for Detroit

    There are two upcoming Complete Streets community meetings planned for Detroit.

    According to the brochure:

    Participants will learn about complete streets, discover some local examples of complete streets and understand what Detroit is doing to implement this kind of infrastructure. They will also learn how they can become more active in the process. Detroit area organizations doing
    work related to complete streets will have tables at both events with information for the public.

    These meetings are similar to the one held earlier this year in Corktown?(but without the Slows Food.) This time, one meeting will be on the East side while the other is in Northwest Detroit.

    Both events are free of charge and will have light refreshments.

    All attendees are asked to RSVP by Friday, October 28, 2011 via phone at 1-877-926-8300. If there are any questions, please email Myra.

    These events are made possible by sponsorship from the Michigan AARP, the Detroit Food and Fitness Collaborative, and the city of Detroit.

     

  • Detroit TIGER III grant: a multi-modal enhancement plan

    The city of Detroit’s TIGER III $25.7 grant request is a work in progress, but this agenda item for an upcoming city council meeting is revealing:

    Submitting reso. autho. to endorse TIGER III Grant Application to USDOT for approximately $25.7 million in funding for the Link Detroit! Multi-Modal Enhancement Plan. (Public Works Department intends to submit an application for funding to construct a series of multi-modal infrastructure improvements to create a fully functional transportation system through the Midtown area to Eastern Market continuing on to the Detroit Riverwalk and into the heart of Downtown, collectively called Link Detroit! Multimodal Enhancement Plan.)

    So just what are those multi-modal infrastructure improvements?

    There are basically five which all tie together:

    • Streetscape improvements in Eastern Market
    • Construction of a Dequindre Cut extension from Gratiot to Mack with a formal entrance in to Eastern Market. As mentioned earlier, this will be a rail with trail non-motorized pathway.
    • Replacement of bridges over this new section of the Cut
    • Bike lane, path, and sidewalk connections from the Dequindre Cut extension to Hamtramck
    • A Midtown Loop connector between Eastern Market and Midtown

    As you can see, getting funding to complete these projects would provide major walk and bike connections to Eastern Market, the RiverWalk, Midtown, and Hamtramck. It would be absolutely huge.

    TIGER III grants are due at the end of this month and it is quite competitive. $547 million will be granted.

    Keep your hands up for Detroit — and your fingers crossed.

  • GM backpedals on negative cycling ad

    Cycling attracts anti-car zealots who love ripping on Detroit automakers. It’s often unjustified, but not this time.

    Until today, GM was running a series of pathetic ads that mocked cycling, walking, and public transit.

    After some negative publicity on BikePortland, the League of American Bicyclists, via Twitter, and GM’s facebook page, the cycling ad was pulled with an apology according to the LA Times.

    General Motors Co. is killing an advertisement aimed at college students after receiving complaints that it makes fun of people who use bicycles for transportation.

    That ad has a headline stating, “reality sucks” and depicts a nerdy looking guy wearing a helmet and riding a bicycle being passed by a cute young woman in the passenger seat of a car. It then goes on to say, “Stop pedaling… start driving” and provides information about discount pricing for GM products such as the new 2012 Chevrolet Sonic subcompact sedan and the giant GMC Sierra 1500 truck.

    “The content of the ad was developed with college students and was meant to be a bit cheeky and humorous and not meant to offend anybody,” said Tom Henderson, a GM spokesman.

    “We have gotten feedback and we are listening and there are changes underway. They will be taking the bicycle ad out of the rotation… We respect bikers and many of us here are cyclists,” he said.

    It seems GM has not pulled the other ads in the series.

    One thought for repentence: putting a bike on the RenCen during next year’s Tour de Troit or Bike to Work Day.

  • goCRUISERgo: Locally-made stretched cruiser bikes

    This bike caught our eye on Twitter. It’s a custom-stretched cruiser made in Royal Oak by goCRUISERgo.

    It’s name? The Purple Chameleon, perhaps inspired by the Dequindre Cut graffiti.

    The company doesn’t seem to have a web site, but they are on Facebook where they list their products:

    Custom Stretch Cruisers to include but not limited to…

    Base Models
    Built-to-Order (you pick it, we’ll do it)
    Frames (build your own)
    Side Cars (coming soon… )
    Other options and accessories, please inquire.

    Sidecars? Sweet.

    As for the Chameleon, it’s for sale at a reasonable $375.