Bicycling and walking not ‘nonsensical’
In “Transportation’s bicycle policy hits potholes” [seattletimes.com, Business, April 14], Republicans argue that the plan to give bicycling and walking the same importance as automobiles in transportation planning is “nonsensical” because 80 percent of freight moves by truck, and it’s unfair because roads are paid for mostly by a gasoline tax.
Funny how Republicans don’t notice the inherent unfairness in their own argument, in that car drivers — through the gas tax — are subsidizing trucking, which is responsible for most road wear and maintenance costs.
It’s just so typical of Republican rhetoric: They think it’s fine to massively subsidize industrial and corporate interests, but the idea of funding bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure (which helps to reduce congestion, pollution, maintenance and health costs) is unfair and “nonsensical.”
— Rick Kosterman, Seattle