Originally Posted by Lucky07
I suspect the fact that cars bring in revenue for the city (parking, tickets, meters, tolls, etc.). Bikes don't bring in that kind of money. That will always be a factor in city planning.
Consider that people riding bikes means that:
Less people in cabs
Less people on subways & buses (I've used $4 in public transportation over the last few months vs between $10 and $20 per week)
Less cars for tolls, meters, taxes money from car services (garages/gas), TOWING, and tickets.
Technically a car free city would bankrupt them!
Yes, slightly tongue in cheek but certainly a consideration. Trans Alt is pushing for a London type high traffic toll where if you ride in the city during peak times you'd be charged something like $10 a day to encourage less traffic and more revenue, no peak free street parking with higher meters to encourage less people parking (so quicker wait times to find a spot).
City also kicks around the idea of a bicycle registration you'd have to pay every year like a car.