Noted lawyer to form Bicycle Bill watchdog group

I visit Sam Adams blog pretty frequently, and there has been a big discussion raging between those who feel that too much is being spent on bike infrastructure, since bikes “don’t pay their way with fuel taxes” and those who feel that not enough is spent (and that bikers pay plenty through non-fuel taxes).

It is thus interesting to ponder a watchdog group that will see if maybe a full “1 percent” of a segment of public works is being spent on bikes AND pedestrians. Anyway, glad to see Ray out there keeping feet tot he fire.

The 1% spending is spent in a variety of places, much of it at the state and other parts at local jurisdictions. I appreciate Ray’s effort and will be supportive if possible, I also know that ODOT does track this fund.

As it goes, over 90% of the 1% is spent on pedestrian facilities. Imagine a new street being built, the sidewalk, curb, and gutter is much more expensive than adding width for a bike lane.

None of the 1% can be used outside of Right-of-Way. However perhaps Ray can look into the legal definition of ROW, why is a bike path not ROW?

[…] Perhaps lawyer Ray Thomas’ new watchdog group can find the money for these things in the Bicycle Bill which is supposed to give 1% of highway projects to bike infrastructure (how much did that strip of paint cost?). […]