And while we’re at it, let’s charge all those deadbeat pedestrians for all the sidewalks they’re using, too!

j.

The vast majority of people riding their bike in Portland for transportation are car owners and do contribute to road costs via vehicle registration fees. Further more, most roads (and I do realize that the Sellwood bridge’s funding is slightly atypical) are funded primarily from general revenue funds and not from gas tax or registration fees. Everyone pays into these funds. Everyone pays for roads.

The INVESTMENT that our community makes in transit, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure pays clear dividends in my opinion in quality of life improvements in our community. It’s also becoming more apparent that it pays dividends literally in the form of increased property values for adjacent corridors as well as increased tourism.

I’m sorry that you feel that the bridge width is dis-proportionally allocated. Years from now when you see a streetcar going over the bridge I hope you’ll look at it and smile and appreciate how nice it is to have a connected transportation infrastructure at your disposal. It may not be how you get around, but isn’t it nice to have the option?