🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <3aasks$nt@crchh397.bnr.ca>, alaw@bnr.ca (Albert Law) wrote:

>The reason I ask, is that my understanding is that the rationale for the
> extra responsibilities for the 18 wheeler operator is due to the extra 
> wear and tear on the reads and the extra skill required to operate the 
> vehicle. Don't those two same rationale apply to bicyclists?

The extra skill required to operate the 18 wheeler is covered in the extra
requirements necessary to get an operator's license for one.  I've
mentioned my views on bicycle operator licensing in another note, so I
won't repeat it here.

The extra wear and tear 18 wheelers cause is covered by larger licensing
fees for the vehicles.  I contend that this is "equal footing" because
bigger vehicles do more damage so they pay a larger share.  Bikes don't
damage the roads like cars do, but the roads wouldn't last forever even if
bikes were the only vehicles allowed on them.  Environmental factors like
bad weather also contribute to the destruction of roads.  If licensing
fees go into road repair, then bikers should pay their share for road
repair.  If licensing fees are paid based on the size of the vehicle,
fine, bikers don't pay much.  I'm not suggesting that a biker pay the same
amount for his bike that I pay for by T-bird, just that he pay
*something*.

Something that throws a wrench into this argument is the fact that some
states base vehicle licensing fees on the value of the vehicle, not the
weight.  This blows the whole pay-for-the-damage-you-cause argument.  Not
being a biker, I've not priced bikes but I have heard advertisements for
some rather expensive ones, like several thousand dollars.

Someone answer these for me: How much do motorcycles pay for license
plates?  Do motorcycles cause damage to the roads?  They weigh a whole lot
less than cars, but more than bikes.  Is is fair to compare bikes to
motorcycles for licensing purposes?  These questions aren't rhetorical, I
really want to know the answers.

                                ++Don Nash

Internet: D.Nash@utexas.edu     The University of Texas System
THEnet:   THENIC::DON           Office of Telcommunication Services