Tuesday, March 26, 2013

135. Taxes

Breaking News: Washington State Legislature proposes Bike Tax:

http://streetsblog.net/2013/02/21/washington-state-considering-a-symbolic-tax-on-bicycles/

So, a symbolic tax to assuage the feelings of motorists angry at red light-running cyclists?  Sorry, these aggressive motorists will hardly change attitudes based on a $25 tax.

Then a symbolic tax so that all users pay for road maintenance?  Then why not an excise tax on shoes for all those pedestrians whose habits require lights and paint and traffic cops?


yes, this is my route and could be my bike--if it were black
We pay sales taxes on bikes and equipment repairs.  Most of us own cars and may gas taxes.

I don't go along with the worst case scenario which would have fewer people buying bikes because of this tax.

And since yearly auto excise taxes (0.3%, or $6.00 for my back-up Volvo 740) support local transit, I can't complain about cyclists also supporting public transit. So a one-time $25 tax on new bikes?  Sure, why not.

Sunday, March 10, 2013

134. The next bike

Always thinking of my next bike, like some people think about their next car, pair of shoes, or night out.

This bamboo bike from Phnom Penh would make some kind of statement, I guess but relatively pricey at $450.

So I went to Costco, cheap and reliable, but it would be the usual routine: switch tires, add fenders, etc.  Not so cheap anymore, and a copy of what I already have.

That folding bike looking more and more interesting.

Sunday, March 3, 2013

133. What? No Busses?


Phnom Penh skyline
Phnom Penh: a city with 2.2 million residents and no public transportation. Many cars but mainly tuk-tuks, motorcycles and mopeds. Rare taxis.  Not as many bikes as I thought for a flat terrain. Tuk-tuks aren't cheap, tourist price 3-5 dollars to get downtown from my hotel about 15-20 minutes away.
View from back of a cycle


Tuk-Tuk
Walking around, I was offered a motorcycle ride every couple of blocks, until of course I really wanted one. And why not, an easy way for the owner to pay for the cycle. Two bucks got me the same destination as the $4 tuk-tuk.


I'm guessing the low number of bikes reflects the hazards of competing with cars and motorcycles.  And in a large city, it may be that jobs are too far away from homes. "Downtown" seems to consist of government buildings and tourist spots with job-heavy commercial high rises scattered throughout the city, making it easier to live close to where you work.  
Shave head: need umbrella

As for pedestrians?  Just me and some Buddhist monks.  With sidewalks on commercial streets taken up by parked cars, walking means sharing the street with cars, cycles, and tuk-tuks, not very appealing.