R
Robert Haston
Guest
After reading the discussion growing from my post about my giving up my car
and going "hardcore" commuter, I realize how GREAT I have it.
In order to bike-commute, I chose to live only 5.5 miles from my job. I had
to pay more, and live in a smaller house, but it is also a barrier island,
complete with a laid back beach lifestyle versus the ugly hectic Wal Mart
world across the estuary. I have even kayaked to work a few times.
The route can be almost entirely on bike paths or 15 MPH side roads (great
for being caught out without a light) or 1.7 miles on a 45 MPH road (which
rarely gets up to that speed, and has light traffic, enough to stop
speeders, and make people pay attention, but not hide cyclists behind the
traffic). Then there is 3.7 on an Air Force Base 35 MPH road (where no one
dares to speed).
Once I get to work, I clock in BEFORE I take a shower. This is because the
base allows workers a couple hours a week to exercise on the clock; which
zeroes out my showers and getting in and out of my bike togs.
I am one lucky guy.
The only thing better would be if the base gave everyone $2 a day
"transportation fringe", then charged those who used parking; letting me
pocket a few hundred a year instead of "free" parking. More than just a
dream, these "cash out" plans are the next step in transportation reform.
I wish every American worker had such opportunities. If we had a system
that didn't funnel property, income, and sales taxes, along with consumer
dollars away from cyclists to cars, many more would.
--
Robert Haston
Satellite Beach, FL
and going "hardcore" commuter, I realize how GREAT I have it.
In order to bike-commute, I chose to live only 5.5 miles from my job. I had
to pay more, and live in a smaller house, but it is also a barrier island,
complete with a laid back beach lifestyle versus the ugly hectic Wal Mart
world across the estuary. I have even kayaked to work a few times.
The route can be almost entirely on bike paths or 15 MPH side roads (great
for being caught out without a light) or 1.7 miles on a 45 MPH road (which
rarely gets up to that speed, and has light traffic, enough to stop
speeders, and make people pay attention, but not hide cyclists behind the
traffic). Then there is 3.7 on an Air Force Base 35 MPH road (where no one
dares to speed).
Once I get to work, I clock in BEFORE I take a shower. This is because the
base allows workers a couple hours a week to exercise on the clock; which
zeroes out my showers and getting in and out of my bike togs.
I am one lucky guy.
The only thing better would be if the base gave everyone $2 a day
"transportation fringe", then charged those who used parking; letting me
pocket a few hundred a year instead of "free" parking. More than just a
dream, these "cash out" plans are the next step in transportation reform.
I wish every American worker had such opportunities. If we had a system
that didn't funnel property, income, and sales taxes, along with consumer
dollars away from cyclists to cars, many more would.
--
Robert Haston
Satellite Beach, FL
