State Representative Ed Orcutt (R-Kalama) found himself in the media – and all over the bike blogs, including ours – more than he wanted to be last week.
A national tempest resulted from comments he wrote to a bike shop owner about how “bicyclists are actually polluting when they ride” because “the act of riding a bike results in greater emissions of carbon dioxide from the rider.” It was the talk of the National Bike Summit in Washington, D.C.
As Cascade Bicycle Club’s Legislative Affairs Manager, this seemed like a good opportunity for me to check in with Rep. Orcutt – and I’m glad I did! Yesterday, we had a great conversation about bikes, people who bike and transportation in general.
First, as he had subsequently written, he apologized for what he called his “over the top” comments about bikes and pollution.
Rep. Orcutt said he had received many calls and emails in the past few days that made him think, especially about the social benefits gained when more people choose to, and are able to, bike. Also, he recognized the negative impacts a bike tax could have on the owners of small bike shops, especially when those shops compete with Walmart or with shops just across the state line. And he pointed out that bikes don’t create the need for expensive road maintenance (he’s much more concerned about studded tires).
We talked a lot about transportation funding. Many people think the gas tax pays for all transportation infrastructure, but actually the gas tax, car tabs and license fees related to cars together pay for only about one-half of the road system. The other half comes from sales tax, property tax, and federal income tax paid by everyone, including people who bike. State legislators most often deal with the gas tax, so that’s the part they tend to focus on; in contrast, local governments mostly rely on sales and property taxes for transportation. In addition, most bike commuters also own cars, so they pay the same car tabs even if they drive less.
Add to that the social benefits of bike infrastructure that Rep. Orcutt mentioned – from improved health and less air pollution to taking cars off the road and improving road safety for everyone.
We still have areas of disagreement, most notably when we take different approaches to the question of funding for bike infrastructure. Rep. Orcutt asks the question, how can bicyclists pay their share for the transportation infrastructure they are using? We think the right way to ask the question is, how can we all pay to build a transportation network makes it safe, convenient, and affordable to move people and goods?
Our transportation network should support the safety and choices of everyone who needs to get around, whether by car, bus, ferry, train, foot or bike. The whole network needs further investment, but bicycle infrastructure has been perhaps the most neglected. In every survey we’ve seen, 60% or more of respondents say they would like to bike more often for commuting, running errand and recreation, but it is not safe or convenient for them to do so.
Despite any differences, Rep. Orcutt and I both think that we agree more than we disagree. Earlier this legislative session, he voted in favor of our highest priority bill (relating to speed limits on neighborhood streets), and he expressed his support for another bill on our list (relating to safe passing distance with motorcycles overtake bicycles). Orcutt has also been a leader in making our Department of Transportation accountable and responsive on cost overruns.
One final note: Some of the calls and emails to Rep. Orcutt were insulting and rude, and some even full of personal attacks. This is unacceptable and counter-productive. I apologized to Rep. Orcutt and to his legislative assistant, Amber York, who fielded many of those calls and emails. Cascade Bicycle Club encourages our members, and everyone, to share their thoughts with their elected officials with civility and respect.
I thank Rep. Orcutt for his service and look forward to working with him on bike issues in the future.
A follow-up to today’s email exchange between Rep. Orcutt and a constituent: We extend a big thank you to hardworking small business owner Dale of Bike Tech in Tacoma for taking action!
Join Dale and tell your legislators they can do better with our transportation budget. >> http://bit.ly/XmX7Yw
I agree that we all should express ourselves with civility and respectfulless including when addressing someone as ignorant as Rep. Orcutt.
This recurring false science “cyclists pollute” is another example of the mission of the ultra-right wing Repuclican, Tea Party. These kind of comments cannot be allowed to be expressed without a stiff and constant challenge and a simple apology is unacceptable.
We look forward to working with state Rep. Ed Orcutt on a transportation budget that makes our streets safer for our kids, invests in fixing roads before we build new ones we don’t need and can’t afford, and provides everyone with the freedom to bike, walk or take transit to get around.
Please tell your legislators to do the same! >> http://bit.ly/XmX7Yw
Here’s today’s example that stupidity is a Republican virtue.
Washington state representative Ed Orcutt (a Republican, of course) wants to tax people who ride bikes because of the “greenhouse gases” cyclists produce when they exhale.
Republicans need to drop their “war on science” and declare “war” on their own appalling ignorance.
I keep thinking about this when I think about people who (incorrectly) complain about bicyclists not paying for their fair share of infrastructure (despite the fact that we DO pay for our fair share).
Well done, Cascade!
We need to have an acknowledgement that not only are cyclists paying their fair share, they are subsidizing other road users.
WTF? Seems like Orcutt is backtracking to save face. No reason for personal insults though. Is Orcutt on the Cascade “do no endorse” list for next election?
In any case, I recommend emphasizing some words in the post…
“how can we ALL PAY”…
Most Americans are too lazy to pay for “road space”. We all pay for TV, cell phones, internet, etc. But to pay anything related to roads? OMG!!!
I love our “system”. I love being a “freeloader” on our roads by not owning a car and biking/running/walking/busing everywhere. I’m not sure why more people don’t take advantage of this. Too lazy?? I say yes…prove me wrong.
So while I exhale lots of “emissions” while biking and running…I’m guessing it’s A LOT LESS than those who drive a car every day by themselves.
I would certainly appreciate a “thank you cyclist/runner for subsidizing my car commute”. But instead I constantly look around for those driving a car who take advantage of the “road space” (and make sure I won’t get run over). YOU’RE WELCOME CAR DRIVERS!
Thanks Matthew for this great post and for putting this particular issue in perspective. Finding areas of agreement is almost always the most productive path forward!
I emailed and got a reply from Orcutt. He essentially said the same thing to me that cyclists were not paying their fair share since the State transportation budget primarily comes from gas tax, tabs, and licensing and that while cycling cyclist don’t pay those taxes (well, I have already paid my tabs and licensing fees so his argument for those taxes are invalid). I replied back asking for a breakdown of what percentage of the State budget goes to cycle (and pedestrian) infrastructure and of that what portion comes from gas tax. I also asked for a breakdown of the external costs of driving that impact the State budget, such as health care costs due to physical inactivity/ car injuries/ etc., pollution, and impact on climate change and if he and any numbers to show if cyclist were reducing or exacerbating those costs. To my surprise (sarcasm inserted) he has not replied with any numbers.
[...] Remember the “cyclists pollute by emitting more carbon dioxide” statement by representative Ed Orcutt of Washington? The Cascade Bicycle Club had a good conversation with the representative. [...]