🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <D.Nash-0911941817290001@bubba.ots.utexas.edu>,
D.Nash@utexas.edu (Donald L. Nash) wrote:
> Same rights, but not the same responsibilities.  You have to obey the
> traffic laws, but you don't have to license your bike (i.e. pay tax on
> it), have an operator's permit to use it, or subject it to yearly safety
> inspections.  Any yahoo who doesn't know the traffic laws from a hole in
> the ground can go buy a bike and use it without paying for his use of the
> public roads, without proving to anyone that he can operate the bike
> competently, safely, and legally; and without demonstrating the bike's
> structural safety.  You can't get away with that in a car and I don't
> think you should be able to get away with it on a bike.
> 
Aren't we oversimplifying things here a bit?  No, you do not have to pay
taxes on a bike.  Does that mean this person doesn't pay taxes?  If they
live in the same general area as you, you can bet they are paying the same
general taxes as you on everything else under the sun.  This petty thing
about no tax on a bike is rediculous.

As far as yahoo's that don't know traffic laws, I'd much rather try to 
avoid a bike that doesnt know them, then some country bumpkin in a pickup
that makes right hand turns from the left hand lane on a freeway, which
happens *continuously* on Texas highways and roads.  Most bikers ride
extremely well and self-conscious of where they are and what is around
them because of the idiots that are driving in motorized vehicles.

> Personally, I don't like having bikes on the same streets as cars.  It is
> a big inconvenience for the drivers and a big hazard for everyone.  I like
> separate bike lanes, but those have their own problems (like turning left
> when the bike lane is on the right shoulder).
> 
I see bikes as no inconvience on the roads.  I do not ride one, but I
do share the roads with them, and have no problem doing so.  They are
usually very good riders and follow traffic well, and do not get in
the way of motorized vehicles.

They do not pollute the highways, like some motorized vehicles do that
look like they bribed someone to do an inspection on their car.  They
are the environmentally and health-wise correct thing to do, and I
applaud anyone that can do what they can personally to help lessen
the affect we have on the environment.

Edward