Motorists Paying for Bike Paths, Museums
Where I live outside of Lansing, there are new bike paths sporting shiny asphalt, but the roads are crumbling. Motorists might be surprised to learn that of the 18.4 cents per gallon of federal gas tax they pay at the pump, only about 11 cents goes to maintain highways and bridges. According to federal law, about 10 percent of federal highway funds must be used for projects such as highway beautification and transportation museums. According to a new National Center for Policy Analysis report, “Paying for Pet Projects at the Pump,” the Federal Highway Administration also allocates gas tax revenues...
Published on Monday 6th of February 2012 01:40:33 AM
They're our streets. It's our money. So why isn't it our decision?
The residents, quaintly enough also known as taxpayers, don't want that island. They have formed their own ironic offspring known as Local Taxpayers for a Livable Community, distinguished from TLC by the fact that they are not funded but, in fact, are the funders. My hope for LTLC is that they are not too late in the sense that a wild horse has already left the barn. Let us understand our civics, shall we? The people who pay the bills, the taxpayers, watch, seemingly helplessly, as millions of dollars in federal funds - their money - is won by outfits...
Published on Monday 6th of February 2012 01:40:33 AM
When the Cop Says Stop What do you do when you know your area's bike laws, but the police don't?
A few months ago, I received a phone call from a cyclist with an incredible story about an incident in Lawrence County, Ohio. Because the cyclist-a guy named Tony Patrick-was in need of an attorney, I hooked him up with Steve Magas, a contributing author to Bicycling & the Law, and a well-known bicycling attorney in Ohio. After hearing Tony's story, Steve took his case. More about that later; first, let me tell you about Tony. Weekdays, Tony runs his small construction company in Huntington, West Virginia. Weeknights, and weekends, Tony, a Cat 2 racer, can often be found hanging...
Published on Monday 6th of February 2012 01:40:33 AM
'Alpha Dog' is at it again! Putin leads biker gang in his latest macho photo opportunity
Politicians will usually kick off an election campaign with a rousing speech, a meet-and-greet handshaking session or a nice photo opportunity kissing a baby. Unless, of course, they are Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who joined a biker gang and led them on a testosterone-fuelled motorcade. Over-revving the engine as he sat astride a three-wheeled Harley Davidson, the former KGB tough man looked both ludicrous and very much at home in the latest of macho stunts that have punctuated his political career.
Published on Monday 6th of February 2012 01:40:33 AM
Mandatory bear spray, no mountain bikes allowed on popular Banff hiking trail
BANFF, Alta. - One of the most popular hiking and biking trails in Banff National Park is bringing in restrictions at the height of the summer tourist season due to fears of bear attacks. The Lake Minnewanka Trail has been a favourite haunt for hikers and mountain bikers for decades. There are over three million visitors to the park each year and many of them take to the 32-kilometre trail northeast of the Banff townsite.Until Sept. 15, it will be mandatory for hikers to travel in groups of at least four. At least one of the individuals will be required...
Published on Monday 6th of February 2012 01:40:33 AM
Share this!