Last year, the city council of El Paso decided that their long term goal was to become the “least-car-dependent city” in the nation. This year, they’re arguing about requiring 5 bicycle parking spaces for every hundred car parking spaces at all new businesses and developments.
One of the representatives implied that people riding bicycles as transportation was somehow backwards. I’m sure that in Portland, it’s considered progress, perhaps even success.
I agree with representative Beto O’Rourke. Either do it right, or just admit that it was all just feel-good political hot air, and drop the idea completely. After all, how do you become independent from autos, if you don’t promote cycling? How can you promote cycling, if you can’t even provide a secure place to park and lock them? And is five percent even enough?
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One might remind Rep. Lozano (the one who made the comment about bicycle transportation being backwards) how many members of his constituency suffer from diabetes. I understand Texas has some of the highest rates of Type 2 in the nation, with Hispanic Americans one of the most at risk ethnic groups for developing it.
Riding a bike for transportation may not be a cure-all for the diabetes epidemic in this country, but I think we can all agree that driving a car all over the place sure isn’t going to help any.
‘ “My motion would be to reject this,” [ Rep. José© Alexandro Lozano ] said, recalling that in the past, a Mexican town where many people rode bicycles was regarded as backward. ‘
Well, I guess that just shows how “backwards” Rep Lozano is as he keeps up appearances of prosperity by worshiping at the altar of the automobile prosperity cargo cult. If you drive the right car, you’ll become wealthy!
Contrast with this article which shows that “the richer people become the further they cycle.”
Give me long enough, and I can find just about anything on teh intarwebs… Rep. Lozano needs to shut up right now about *anything* that promotes physical activity in his community – and this report is 5 years old! What is the obesity problem in El Paso like now??
http://www.paho.org/English/DPI/Number15_article2_5.htm