[Vision2020] traffic woes

[Ted Moffett]

Roger et. al.

Has anyone noticed the increase in traffic?  Surely you jest!

I was driving east a few days ago on Third St. where the curve by the U of I 
Graduate Student Housing turns four lanes into two, and the traffic was 
bumper to bumper backed up from Main St!  I gave up and turned off Third 
Street.

Solutions?  Yes, of course, able bodied people could bike or walk.  Even use 
of small electric vehicles for simple trips for groceries or to catch a 
movie, etc., would be helpful.

But who will really change their life to avoid adding to traffic?  Obviously 
those who rely on their car or SUV or truck to get everywhere will just 
thumb their noses, or worse, at those who complain.

I mentioned this issue a few days ago to a local Moscow resident active in 
promoting biking:  my solution was to suggest passing a city ordinance to 
fine able bodied Moscow city residents who drive their cars when not 
critical.  If the sight of a topless female requires regulation why not 
regulate the abuse of polluting vehicles who create hazardous traffic jams?  
Yes, I know, this idea has about as much chance of passing into law as a law 
against ice cream because it creates a health hazard.

Americans are in love with their cars and attempts at getting them to bike 
or walk or use alternative transportation are flat out socialist liberal big 
government un-American ideas!  Ha!

May I suggest a respirator and full body armor for your next foray on the 
highways of the Palouse?

Ted

>From: roger hayes <rhayes@turbonet.com>
>To: vision2020@moscow.com
>Subject: [Vision2020] traffic woes
>Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2003 14:22:31 -0700
>
>Dear visionaries:
>
>
>Like so many Palouse residents, I live in Moscow but work in Pullman.  For 
>the past couple of years I have been riding my bike to work every day, and 
>so haven't taken much note of traffic conditions.  Last week, due to a 
>(non-bicycle related) back injury, I found myself driving.  I couldn't 
>believe the traffic. By bike, in the mornings, I can usually make it to the 
>west side of Pullman from the east side of Moscow in just about 30 minutes, 
>and the 5 o'clock return trip in about 35 minutes. Last week it took me 30 
>minutes to drive it in the morning, and 45 minutes to get home.  It's 
>strange to think that a bicycle is the faster way to commute over 11 miles.
>
>In addition, on two separate days, I witnessed acts of road rage. One in 
>Pullman and one in Moscow.  These happened right here in our peaceful 
>communities!
>
>Has anyone else noticed that there is an increase in traffic? Are more 
>people driving?  Are vehicles so big they take up more space on the roads?  
>Or are we just driving more than we used to? Does anyone think that traffic 
>and noise presents a problem?
>
>Yes, I do have an agenda here. Drive less, drive smaller vehicles, take 
>alternative transportation when available. Walk, ride the bus, consolidate 
>trips to the store, ride a bike (it's fun and generally safe).
>
>I challenge readers to contemplate their driving habits. Why would this be 
>important?  The answers are many:  Pollution. Conservation of resources.  
>Quality of life. Conservation of city/county resources. Personal and public 
>health. Political issues, both international and national.
>
>Wouldn't it be nice to live in a town that didn't constantly hum and roar 
>with traffic? It is something only personal initiative will change.
>
>
>Roger Hayes
>Moscow
>
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>                              mailto:Vision2020@moscow.com
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