Monday, July 07, 2025, 11:25PM | 
MENU
Advertisement

The problem is lack of bicycle infrastructure

The problem is lack of bicycle infrastructure

I'm writing in response to Cheryl Szymanski's June 11 letter "Cyclists and Roads." First, I'd like to note that as a cyclist I fully support a registration or user fee on adult bicyclists, but only if it funds the sort of bicycle infrastructure Pittsburgh sorely lacks.

Second, Ms. Szymanski ignores the fact that many, if not most, cyclists in our city own cars and thus already pay the sort of taxes and fees she discussed. Further, money from the state and federal general fund has routinely been used to cover gaps in transportation funding over the years, meaning that even if a cyclist did not own a car, he or she would still be contributing to the maintenance of the roads by paying other taxes.

The problem really is not that cyclists are not paying enough for the privilege of using the roads, but that they are not getting enough back for their payments in the form of safe bicycle infrastructure.

Advertisement

JACK MILLER
Friendship


First Published: June 18, 2013, 4:00 a.m.

Advertisement
RELATED
SHOW COMMENTS (0)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
Mitch Keller #23 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches during the first inning against the New York Mets at PNC Park on June 27, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
1
sports
Paul Zeise: Time to blow it up (again) — Pirates should commit to another full rebuild at this upcoming trade deadline
Pedestrians brace from the rain as they cross 9th Street Downtown on Monday, July 7. 2025.
2
news
Storms could bring heavy rain, flooding to Pittsburgh region this week
Pirates team owner Bob Nutting talks with general manager Ben Cherington during spring training Monday, Feb. 17, 2020, at Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla.
3
sports
Jason Mackey: How misplaced loyalty and a lack of true urgency have put the Pirates in a lousy spot
The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh on July 7 announced that Dr. Johanna Vidal-Phelan is its new president and CEO.
4
news
The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh names its new leader
Bethel Park at sunrise earlier this year. The community, where Thomas Crooks grew up, was as surprised as the rest of the country when one of its own was involved an attempt to shoot a presidential candidate.
5
news
In Bethel Park, hometown of Trump’s would-be assassin, resilience and disbelief linger
Advertisement
LATEST opinion
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story