I disagree with the “Bicycle fees” editorial (Herald, Aug. 11) that suggests it might be time for cyclists to be charged fees to help offset the costs for adding cycling infrastructure to Durango’s roads.
The best argument against this idea is that those cyclists already pay for such infrastructure through gas taxes and auto registration fees. A high percentage of cyclists have a registered vehicle (or several) back at home for which they’ve paid just as much in fees as those commuting by car or truck. Yet, on their bikes, cycling does far less damage to the roads.
Additionally, every Durangoan who commutes on a bicycle frees up a parking space for someone else, be that another commuter, a local shopper or a tourist. That actually postpones the need to create additional parking, which is a savings for the city.
Cyclists also reduce congestion on our roads. While many motorists probably don’t appreciate it, taking vehicles off the road every day makes their commute faster and more efficient and also postpones the need for expensive capacity improvements to our roads and intersections.
What’s next, charging pedestrians a fee to use sidewalks and crosswalks? Charging those in wheelchairs to use curb ramps? Communities are quite, rightfully, embracing multimodal transportation. Cycling instead of driving should be encouraged, not discouraged.
With more commuters cycling, the air will be cleaner, our roads will be less congested and our government agencies could see money freed up for other transportation priorities.
Robert Shanks
Durango
