Cyclists paving the way for ungrateful drivers

Toronto blogger James Schwartz cites a 2004 study to make the case that bicyclists contribute more than their share to road maintainence, but impose very little cost on the infrastructure. Some car drivers are resentful.

"A 2004 study by the Victoria Transport Policy Institute found that cyclists and pedestrians are subsidizing drivers: 'Since bicycling and walking impose lower roadway costs than motorized modes, people who rely primarily on nonmotorized modes tend to overpay their fair share of roadway costs and subsidize motorists.'

"Let’s look at how roads are funded. It is true that drivers support a substantial amount of the funding for highways. The Victoria study found that about 60% of highway funding comes from fuel taxes and vehicle taxes and 40% comes from general taxes and bonds. But more than 90% of cycling and walking happens not on highways, but on local roads - so the highway argument is inconsequential.

"When we look at local roads, the study found that 'in 2002, $27.9 billion dollars were spent on U.S. local roads, of which only $3.1 billion was from user fees.' The other $24.8 billion dollars were paid for by general taxes, of which cyclists, pedestrians and drivers all pay."