bluegoatwoods
Well-Known Member
One thing to keep in mind is the effect of traffic saturation. The reason that the automobile has become so expensive to keep legal is because there are so many of them on the roads getting in each other's way. And, yes, there are instances of states suddenly increasing registration fees for the sake of general revenue. My state did it several years back. A pretty hefty raise, too. It still burns me. But this is more the exception than the rule.
But let's start with one assumption; America is going to have to give up the automobile for most personal use. I know this isn't absolutely certain, but it seems likely. Let's imagine it happens overnight. The roads will be a lot more clear. There will be less friction between cars, motorcycles, scooters, motor assisted bicycles, etc. It'll be even better in winter because some of those vehicles simply can't operate. Those people will take a bus. There'll be people who latch onto the motor assisted bike but can't face the winter. They'll be on a bus, too. There might be variations; maybe those who won't face up to riding in winter will scrimp and save enough to operate their cars. Some of them, anyway. But the general trend will be toward clearer roads.
This will undermine society's justification for regulating our vehicles so heavily. Right now our status is marginal precisely because society doesn't really want us riding these things. The car is still king. When this changes (and it looks like that's about to happen), then very small-engined personal conveyances will take over. And any village council, county board or state legislature who tries to stifle it will be looking for a butt-kicking in the next election.
There's nothing wrong with setting minimum standards for equipment and operator competence. But at this point in time, that won't help us much. When we've managed to kill the automobile, then we'll be the only game in town. But until then we'll be tolerated at best. Maybe there's already been some improvement; I have a notion that respect for our fuel saving ability is one reason that the cops don't hassle those of us who ride maturely. Maybe we all should put those signs on our bikes that say "150 mpg".
At a point in time that it is getting very painful to keep a car on the road, things like this might be just what it takes to "kick it over the edge".
And good riddance!
But let's start with one assumption; America is going to have to give up the automobile for most personal use. I know this isn't absolutely certain, but it seems likely. Let's imagine it happens overnight. The roads will be a lot more clear. There will be less friction between cars, motorcycles, scooters, motor assisted bicycles, etc. It'll be even better in winter because some of those vehicles simply can't operate. Those people will take a bus. There'll be people who latch onto the motor assisted bike but can't face the winter. They'll be on a bus, too. There might be variations; maybe those who won't face up to riding in winter will scrimp and save enough to operate their cars. Some of them, anyway. But the general trend will be toward clearer roads.
This will undermine society's justification for regulating our vehicles so heavily. Right now our status is marginal precisely because society doesn't really want us riding these things. The car is still king. When this changes (and it looks like that's about to happen), then very small-engined personal conveyances will take over. And any village council, county board or state legislature who tries to stifle it will be looking for a butt-kicking in the next election.
There's nothing wrong with setting minimum standards for equipment and operator competence. But at this point in time, that won't help us much. When we've managed to kill the automobile, then we'll be the only game in town. But until then we'll be tolerated at best. Maybe there's already been some improvement; I have a notion that respect for our fuel saving ability is one reason that the cops don't hassle those of us who ride maturely. Maybe we all should put those signs on our bikes that say "150 mpg".
At a point in time that it is getting very painful to keep a car on the road, things like this might be just what it takes to "kick it over the edge".
And good riddance!