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03-08-2013, 09:14 AM
Filed under: Green Culture (http://green.autoblog.com/category/green-culture/), Transportation Alternatives (http://green.autoblog.com/category/transportation-alternatives/), Legislation and Policy (http://green.autoblog.com/category/legislation-and-policy/), On Two Wheels (http://green.autoblog.com/category/on-two-wheels/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/representative-ed-orcutt.jpg (http://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2013/03/02/state-lawmaker-says-bicycling-is-not-good-for-the-environment-should-be-taxed/)Isn't bicycling supposed to reduce carbon emissions and free up traffic jam congestion? Well, it's actually making matters worse, argues a state representative from Washington. "You would be giving off more CO2 if you are riding a bike than driving in a car," claims Ed Orcutt (R - Kalama, WA).
The state rep reportedly explained the situation (http://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2013/03/02/state-lawmaker-says-bicycling-is-not-good-for-the-environment-should-be-taxed/) in a letter to a constituent. Said constituent had questioned the wisdom of a new Washington bike tax that the legislature is considering as part of a large transportation package. According to Orcutt, a cyclist "has an increased heart rate and respiration. That means that the act of riding a bike results in greater emissions of carbon dioxide from the rider."
For any bike riding activists (http://green.autoblog.com/2012/09/05/bikestorming-pedal-power-bicycle/) already annoyed with Orcutt, he goes even further: Orcutt argues people who ride bikes do not pay for the roads when they ride. So, they're getting a free ride and polluting the atmosphere while doing it.
Orcutt would eventually back down from his bizarre "bike riding produces pollution" diatribe. In an email (http://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2013/03/04/rep-orcutt-says-bicycle-carbon-emissions-not-a-point-worthy-of-even-mentioning/) to Seattle Bike Blog, he wrote, "First of all, let me apologize for the carbon emissions line of an e-mail which has caused so much concern within the bicycle community. It was over the top and I admit is not one which should enter into the conversation regarding bicycles."WA state representative argues bikes pollute more than cars, backpedals (http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/08/wa-state-representative-argues-bikes-pollute-more-than-cars-bac/) originally appeared on Autoblog Green (http://green.autoblog.com) on Fri, 08 Mar 2013 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).
Permalink (http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/08/wa-state-representative-argues-bikes-pollute-more-than-cars-bac/) | Email this (http://green.autoblog.com/forward/20493494/) | Comments (http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/08/wa-state-representative-argues-bikes-pollute-more-than-cars-bac/#comments)
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http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/representative-ed-orcutt.jpg (http://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2013/03/02/state-lawmaker-says-bicycling-is-not-good-for-the-environment-should-be-taxed/)Isn't bicycling supposed to reduce carbon emissions and free up traffic jam congestion? Well, it's actually making matters worse, argues a state representative from Washington. "You would be giving off more CO2 if you are riding a bike than driving in a car," claims Ed Orcutt (R - Kalama, WA).
The state rep reportedly explained the situation (http://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2013/03/02/state-lawmaker-says-bicycling-is-not-good-for-the-environment-should-be-taxed/) in a letter to a constituent. Said constituent had questioned the wisdom of a new Washington bike tax that the legislature is considering as part of a large transportation package. According to Orcutt, a cyclist "has an increased heart rate and respiration. That means that the act of riding a bike results in greater emissions of carbon dioxide from the rider."
For any bike riding activists (http://green.autoblog.com/2012/09/05/bikestorming-pedal-power-bicycle/) already annoyed with Orcutt, he goes even further: Orcutt argues people who ride bikes do not pay for the roads when they ride. So, they're getting a free ride and polluting the atmosphere while doing it.
Orcutt would eventually back down from his bizarre "bike riding produces pollution" diatribe. In an email (http://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2013/03/04/rep-orcutt-says-bicycle-carbon-emissions-not-a-point-worthy-of-even-mentioning/) to Seattle Bike Blog, he wrote, "First of all, let me apologize for the carbon emissions line of an e-mail which has caused so much concern within the bicycle community. It was over the top and I admit is not one which should enter into the conversation regarding bicycles."WA state representative argues bikes pollute more than cars, backpedals (http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/08/wa-state-representative-argues-bikes-pollute-more-than-cars-bac/) originally appeared on Autoblog Green (http://green.autoblog.com) on Fri, 08 Mar 2013 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).
Permalink (http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/08/wa-state-representative-argues-bikes-pollute-more-than-cars-bac/) | Email this (http://green.autoblog.com/forward/20493494/) | Comments (http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/08/wa-state-representative-argues-bikes-pollute-more-than-cars-bac/#comments)
More... (http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/08/wa-state-representative-argues-bikes-pollute-more-than-cars-bac/)