Rep. Pocan, I am writing to recommend that 10% of monies raised by a potential tax on oil companies be set aside for bicycle infrastructure projects.
The excessively high oil profits that justify such a tax would not be possible without the highly inelastic market for gasoline demand - which I believe is a result of insufficient money being spent by the State on alternative modes of transportation. Inelastic markets are the result of limited consumer choice. In this case, I believe it is clear most people in Wisconsin feel the only way to fulfill their transportation needs is to rely exclusively on the automobile. I have lived my 20 years as an adult without relying on the automobile as my primary source of transportation. Therefore, given first-hand knowledge that usable alternatives exist, I am left with the conclusion that they are not easily usable by the majority of Wisconsin's citizens. That is why we need to dedicate 10% of oil tax revenues to bicycling. Bicycling is the most empowering motor-vehicle alternative: It is usually faster than mass transit, and provides a level of transportation independence and flexibility that is superior to that of any other mv-alternative. I believe a very large reduction in the magnitude of gasoline price spikes can be achieved simply by doubling the current number of people comfortable with using the bicycle for transportation purposes. The 2000 price spikes were caused by a 5% shortfall in supply - which means if only 5% of adults had the option to switch from automobile to bicycle transportation during that summer shortage, there would have been no spikes - demand and supply would be balanced. Contrary to what I am hearing about creating alternative agro-based fuels, I do not believe that will solve the problem. Insulating citizens from price shocks by increasing the gasoline supply will drive up consumption - people will move further from where they work, buy bigger cars, etc. And when it comes to the next shortage, inelasticity will be higher, and a smaller shortage will create larger price shocks. What is worse, tying agro-products into the fuel production process will only widen the scope of the economy vulnerable to gas shortages. Agro-fuel processes have already negatively impacted the cattle feed supply chain. Please, during the current budget process, insist on earmarking 10% of revenues from the oil tax for bicycling infrastructure. I believe the economic well being of the State depends on it, given the likely volatility in gasoline supply over the next few decades. Matt Logan 1822 Jenifer St. Madison WI, 53704. _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies
