Courtesy of a few of my fellow two-wheelers on Facebook:
The American Automobile Association (AAA) wants Congress to cut funds that support trail, biking and walking programs in order to funnel that money to the highway system. AAA has forgotten that bicyclists and pedestrians drive, support AAA, pay gas taxes and want balanced transportation systems that provide the choice to get around in a variety of ways.
http://support.railstotrails.org/...
I don't know whether this will be taken up by Congress any time soon, but it's a bad idea.
This morning, as I have done most mornings over the past several months, I traveled the 17 miles from my home to my office on a mountain bike outfitted for urban warfare. This afternoon, I'll make the return trip the same way. A portion of my trip, and a crucial one at that, is made on the kinds of facilities the AAA wants the government to stop funding. A few facts about this mode of travel:
Vehicle: 1998 Klein Pulse Comp
Fuel consumption: 0
CO2 emitted: 0
Annual operating cost: ~$100 (includes tires, chains, cables, brake pads, etc.)
Vehicle: 2010 Toyota Prius
Fuel Consumption: 0.5gal/25 mi (www.fueleconomy.gov)
CO2 emitted: 3.8 tons/year (www.fueleconomy.gov)
Annual operating cost: $2,156, w/o depreciation and interest (www.consumerreports.com)
I suppose I should compare a Hummer H2 as well, but I think I've made my point. The less I drive my car (which is not a Prius, BTW), the more I save the planet. But, being the American Automobile Association, I guess they'd rather have me drive.
No thanks. In addition to helping the planet, I am also improving my cardiovascular system, burning unwanted calories, and not cursing in traffic.
Full article, including online petition, here.