On Tue, Nov 01, 2005 at 07:22:17PM -0600, Dyna wrote: > >Ken Bradley writes:
> > I commend the mayor for driving a hybrid and only wish that ALL of > >the city non-emergency vehicles will be hybrids in the future. > > Be careful what you wish for- a Prius hybrid costs twice as > much as a typical fleet car like a Taurus, Malibu, or Stratus. While > it gets twice the mileage, with the city buying fuel in bulk and tax > free, the break even point is at about 300,000 miles. The average > city car simply doesn't put on that kind of mileage. You have other > factors that work against the hybrid car too like the fact that > replacement of the electric motor, controller, or batteries would > exceed the value of the car once out of warranty. You two can argue the relative merits of so-called alternative fuel choices until the cows come home, but none of this fixes the real problem. Many of this city's citizens own no car at all. And they are finding their lives negatively impacted by the constant focus on car-based transportation solutions. Where the State has let Metro Transit drop the ball repeatedly when it comes to serving Minneapolis, Minneapolis must focus on picking up and moving forward. Instead, we have DFL candidates for Mayor who seem very focused on helping private corporations build sports stadiums. McLaughlin may have been instrumental in building LRT, but that's all I see. And while Metro Transit was building the train they were simultaneously letting their drivers go on strike and cutting service in high use areas (I know at least two rush hour runs were cut on the 5 line--and in my experience these buses were often standing-room only). So some of us will hopefully be forgiven for thinking of LRT as something of a Pyrrhic victory, and not much of a feather for McLaughlin's hat. So am I suggesting the Mayor ride the bus, instead of driving a hybrid or diesel car? You bet I am. I'm suggesting that the city should put more neighborhood cops on bikes, that city employees should be not be given free parking for work (as I'm given to understand that they are), that city business be done using public transportation and non-car vehicles whenever possible. Is the city really doing all it can to encourage "sustainable" solutions other than falling hook, line, and sinker for the hybrid hype? Hybrids strike me as an attempt by the auto industry to divert attention from alternative solutions that are more egalitarian and even more environmentally friendly. Cars have a lot of costs besides fuel, from the problems of waste water and road surfaces to noise to road rage to the 40,000+ humans who die in car "accidents" in the US every year.... And whether they're diesel powered, hybrid powered, or political hot air powered, cars still have all those other costs. Cars exclude. The blind, the handicapped, the young, the old, the ill, the poor.... the best solution is one that works for everyone. Buses, trains, trolleys, shuttles, etc, include. They ensure that everyone has access. In a so-called democracy it is important that we not create artificial barriers to participation in civic life. Cars do exactly that. So who's going to take the lead on inclusive solutions? Will either of our candidates for Mayor give riding the bus or the train or their bikes a try? Are any DFLers truly blazing the trail here? -Michael Libby, Cleveland neighborhood, North Mpls. REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
