Frederick, MD is considering allowing a pedicab company to operate.
‘If [the driver] does not keep pedaling, I see the potential of making traffic worse,” the alderman[C. Paul Smith (R)] said. ‘‘...If your venture is successful, it puts pressure to compete with our taxis, which are struggling.”
Jonathan Smith said he saw no traffic difficulties during his time in Houston, and that he could not envision ‘‘major hampering of traffic” due to the presence of pedicabs.
If taxis quit driving, it could make traffic worse. That's a ridiculous comment.
Regarding competition with motorized cabs, Smith said his transportation offering would be to get people from one block to another, a trip they would not usually employ a taxi for.
In addition, Frederick is working to build bike routes across the city. As the author points out, the routes are not without problems.
Mr. Davis said they are designed for the upper 2 percent of bicyclists
I'm confused by the "upper 2 percent of bicyclists" comment. What exactly does that mean?
Posted by: KMAX | January 17, 2007 at 03:18 PM
I took it to mean the 2% who are most experienced. I think that's about the number (not of cyclists, but of the population) who commute in DC for example.
Posted by: washcycle | January 17, 2007 at 04:06 PM
Alderman Smith is literally an idiot; he is so stupified by his own idiom (limited life experiences; his particular life-context) that he cannot grasp the moral courage and practical imagination to see beyond his disability.
There's something about the American male and his socialization that allows him to talk out of his ass with complete candor and sincerity...
Did you hear Fenty's comments on the bus kiling on 16th street the other day?...now there's a wizard!...
The Alderman should be pitied, not yelled at (much like Pres. Bush; given that every indication, despite the liberals whining, is that Bush is a caring guy trying to be responsible -- but an idiot nonetheless.)
It makes me wonder how in touch with reality are members of the bike activist community...comments like the Alderman's are to be expected...because it is fantasy to imagine that any crucial improvements to alternative transportation infrastructure in at least the next 20 years in the USA...meanwhile, the rest of the world move on, and examples of which are too numerous to mention, and too depressing...
L:astly, what kind of an idiot proposes bike cabs in a backward place like Frederick!!???...
Posted by: Michael Ross | January 18, 2007 at 03:22 PM