[Vision2020] traffic woes endurable
Luke
lukenieuwsma@softhome.net
Tue, 9 Sep 2003 21:44:56 -0700
Mr. Moffett:
There definitely is an awful lot of steady traffic in Moscow, but
bicycles are not quite the answer. Let's think about the numbers for a
moment.
The average car can fit at least 4 people comfortably, SUV's can hold
more like 7. Now there are approximately 20,000 people in Moscow. If
everyone decides to go downtown, four people minimum can fit into their
friends' vehicles, making for 5,000+ vehicles. If everyone must get their
own bike, then that means that for everyone in Moscow to go downtown on a
short errand together, there would be 20,000 bikes!
Things wouldn't be a whole lot better, and the sidewalks would be
hazardous to every life form, human or not. Besides, with your idea of
minimalizing vehicle trips, how on earth could the government regulate who
is going where and why without checkpoints and surveillance on a massive
scale? All it would do is congest an already constipated system even more,
not to mention removing our freedom of privacy.
All the best,
Luke Nieuwsma
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ted Moffett" <ted_moffett@hotmail.com>
To: <good5707@uidaho.edu>
Cc: <vision2020@moscow.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2003 3:05 PM
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] traffic woes
>
> Jacob et. al.
>
> I did offer a suggestion for a solution that gave an incentive:
regulating
> the use of vehicles for non-essential purposes, with fines imposed for
> violations. Monthly mileage could be tracked, and those exceeding their
> allotment would pay. We regulate when people can water their lawns, and
> what's more critical for life, water or use of a motorized vehicle to pick
> up some chips and a six pack at the store? A bicycle would do well in
that
> case.
>
> Such an idea no doubt seems implausible, maybe impossible, but cars impact
> the public welfare in dramatic ways, and the idea that a person can do
what
> they want with their car without regard to that impact seems a rather
> extreme view of individual freedom. However, our economic system and way
of
> life is so centered around the wanton use of the internal combustion
engine
> at every whim that regulating this use is fighting a hard battle.
>
> And considering that US cars, trucks and SUVs are the greatest source of
CO2
> emissions that are influencing global warming, and the potential
devastating
> impact of this climate change, you are wrong
> to minimize the importance of this issue.
>
> Ted
>
>
> >From: Jacob Goodwin <good5707@uidaho.edu>
> >To: vision2020@moscow.com
> >Subject: Re: [Vision2020] traffic woes
> >Date: Mon, 06 Sep 2004 20:07:41 -0700
> >
> >Roger and Ted,
> >
> >Your agenda seems reasonable, however you just seem to be complaining
> >without coming to any feasable solution for the stated probelms.
> >
> >People are not going to drive less with out any incentive. I sure won't.
> >Maybe the government could require more fuel efficent cars to be sold.
> >However in the long run from an economic perspective, people would drive
> >more for the same cost and consumption would remain the same.
> >
> >Now if the cost of fuel were to be dramatically increased, it would force
> >consumers to drive less or drive more efficent vehicles.
> >
> >Locally traffic isn't a huge issue anyway, the worst traffic jams occor
> >after a football game at the dome. There are other issues that deserve
> >greater attention than this one.
> >
> >
> >Sincerely,
> >Jacob Goodwin
> >
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: "Ted Moffett" <ted_moffett@hotmail.com>
> >To: <rhayes@turbonet.com>
> >Cc: <vision2020@moscow.com>
> >Sent: Monday, September 08, 2003 4:31 PM
> >Subject: Re: [Vision2020] traffic woes
> >
> >
> > >
> > > 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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> > > >communities of the Palouse since 1994.
> >http://www.fsr.net
> > > > mailto:Vision2020@moscow.com
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