Originally Posted by
myrridin
Tolling pedestrians is only a matter of time. It will happen. As to cars causing more damage to roads/bridges you would be incorrect. Weight is a factor, but the curve is not linear. One has to get to really heavy vehicles before the damage even becomes measurable. Most of the damage that occurs to non-commercial facilities are not caused by the users vehicles, but rather evironmental conditions. The one most familiar to folks is the freeze/thaw cycle. Given that FACT, the maintanance resposibilities for the driver of an SUV and a bicycle are the same... Not that I expect anyone on this forum to understand that...
I suspect that having a bridge you require fall down (which has happened a couple of time already) because the 'maintenance was off the table might make you realize that it needs funding. And that will come from tolls in an ever greater proportion as folks continue to stick their heads in the sand concerning the problem.
And when the Rickenbacher bridge was built (you know the one in Florida more than a 1000 miles from you) virtually no one was using 'alternative forms of transportion'. Why on earth would we have spent time/money on facilities that no one would have used?
According to the FATC in Florida who tracks alternative transportation in Florida, in 1947 there was 34% of people who used different forms of alternative transportation. In 1946, it was 32% in 1945 it was 35% and in 1944 it was 34%.
In 1947, the bridge was built. So, for some reason, I have a heck of a hard time believing you when you say there was no one using alternative transportation.
And I am not sure what the 1000 miles away from me has to do with it. But good for you for making a smart @ss remark. Bravo.
Second, regarding maintenance of bridges. You took my "off the table" in wrong context but to be frank, its not worth wasting time to explain. More importantly, bridge maintenance is required for two reasons. One is structure and one is road. There is a lot of reasons why but some includes overall weight that the bridge bears and also use. For example, look at any road where cars drive. You will see chipping, ruts, etc. Made but cars driving over them. The dips are made my over loaded trucks.
Now lets be frank, when have you seen a sidewalk or side of the road with the same problems do to walkers or cyclists? You have not.
I do agree, roads (bridges) have the issue of freezing and expanding which leads to cracking, especially in the east.
Lastly, lets take into account that cars CAUSE ALL OF THE NEED FOR ROAD MAINTENANCE. Fix the road or dont, I dont care. Why? Because I can pick a road bike or mountain bike. 23 mm tires or fat tires to get from point a to point b. Screwed up road? Doesnt matter to me! But what the heck do I know? I am only a chef that rides on two wheels.