Comments on: How Government Regulation Forces Americans Into Their Cars http://www.urbanjacksonville.info/2007/08/20/how-government-regulation-forces-americans-into-their-cars/ A blog about Downtown Jacksonville, Springfield, LaVilla, Brooklyn, the Southbank and San Marco. Fri, 05 Dec 2008 09:12:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: natmgriff http://www.urbanjacksonville.info/2007/08/20/how-government-regulation-forces-americans-into-their-cars/#comment-55898 natmgriff Mon, 20 Aug 2007 15:13:58 +0000 http://www.urbanjacksonville.info/2007/08/20/how-government-regulation-forces-americans-into-their-cars/#comment-55898 I remember reading one of Michael Lewyn's articles in Folio Weekly with great interest and I am glad to see his case study getting some of the attention it deserves. Jacksonville is a particularly bad town to have to commute in. Drivers are inconsiderate and dangerous and the roads cannot carry the congestion. My husband and I sold one of our cars and started driving scooters a few months ago (our other car now sits in our driveway almost full-time). As bad as it is for bikers and pedestrians, I believe people who use alternative forms of transportation are also discouraged. My scooter tops out at over 60mph, making it perfectly safe and legal for all roads except Interstates. I have complied with the law and beyond, with tag, full insurance and I wear a helmet. In otherwards, there is nothing to draw attention from an officer. Just yesterday, I had a cop trail me on the Hart Expressway. I know he was about to pull me over for speeding (I was going 55 in a 45). 10 cars had just flown past me like I was doing 25 so I was attempting to safely keep up with traffic. He finally dropped back when he noticed me lose acceleration up the bridge. While there were many cars going WAY faster than I, he was seriouly about to single out a scoorerist. Someone trying to make a small difference in the huge oil consumption problem. I live in Riverside and drive my scooter all over town. 80 mpg is great. I dread getting in the car. I just have to be super aware at all times. So many jackasses out there not paying attention and think they are driving NASCAR and cops more worried about pulling me over than stopping them. I remember reading one of Michael Lewyn’s articles in Folio Weekly with great interest and I am glad to see his case study getting some of the attention it deserves. Jacksonville is a particularly bad town to have to commute in. Drivers are inconsiderate and dangerous and the roads cannot carry the congestion. My husband and I sold one of our cars and started driving scooters a few months ago (our other car now sits in our driveway almost full-time). As bad as it is for bikers and pedestrians, I believe people who use alternative forms of transportation are also discouraged. My scooter tops out at over 60mph, making it perfectly safe and legal for all roads except Interstates. I have complied with the law and beyond, with tag, full insurance and I wear a helmet. In otherwards, there is nothing to draw attention from an officer. Just yesterday, I had a cop trail me on the Hart Expressway. I know he was about to pull me over for speeding (I was going 55 in a 45). 10 cars had just flown past me like I was doing 25 so I was attempting to safely keep up with traffic. He finally dropped back when he noticed me lose acceleration up the bridge. While there were many cars going WAY faster than I, he was seriouly about to single out a scoorerist. Someone trying to make a small difference in the huge oil consumption problem. I live in Riverside and drive my scooter all over town. 80 mpg is great. I dread getting in the car. I just have to be super aware at all times. So many jackasses out there not paying attention and think they are driving NASCAR and cops more worried about pulling me over than stopping them.

]]> By: BILL HAFT http://www.urbanjacksonville.info/2007/08/20/how-government-regulation-forces-americans-into-their-cars/#comment-55889 BILL HAFT Mon, 20 Aug 2007 14:06:49 +0000 http://www.urbanjacksonville.info/2007/08/20/how-government-regulation-forces-americans-into-their-cars/#comment-55889 I would like to have Michael on my radio show. Listen to my show. The BILL HAFT Show Political, Social, Cultural Talk Listen Monday-Friday 8-11PM EDT online at www.BILLHAFT.com WBOB 1320AM Jacksonville, Florida Call Show 904-322-8844 I would like to have Michael on my radio show.
Listen to my show.
The BILL HAFT Show
Political, Social, Cultural Talk
Listen Monday-Friday 8-11PM EDT online at http://www.BILLHAFT.com
WBOB 1320AM Jacksonville, Florida
Call Show 904-322-8844

]]> By: Purplebike http://www.urbanjacksonville.info/2007/08/20/how-government-regulation-forces-americans-into-their-cars/#comment-55888 Purplebike Mon, 20 Aug 2007 13:42:12 +0000 http://www.urbanjacksonville.info/2007/08/20/how-government-regulation-forces-americans-into-their-cars/#comment-55888 Here's Michael Lewyn's blog: http://lewyn.tripod.com/blog/ He's got a list of all his past Folio articles, and various posts on urban sprawl and zoning codes. Here’s Michael Lewyn’s blog:

http://lewyn.tripod.com/blog/

He’s got a list of all his past Folio articles, and various posts on urban sprawl and zoning codes.

]]> By: Purplebike http://www.urbanjacksonville.info/2007/08/20/how-government-regulation-forces-americans-into-their-cars/#comment-55886 Purplebike Mon, 20 Aug 2007 13:19:53 +0000 http://www.urbanjacksonville.info/2007/08/20/how-government-regulation-forces-americans-into-their-cars/#comment-55886 I'm looking forward to it, too. Also, Michael Lewyn often posts on Folio's back page about this same issue. Plus, I'm betting he'll speak again this year about the sprawl issue, at FCSL's (Florida Coastal School of Law) annual Environmental Summit, held each November I believe. I hope so anyways, he gave a great presentation last year. Zoning codes as they are now compromise Jacksonville in so many ways; socially, environmentally, and in terms of individual health: If people could more easily walk or bike between work, play, and home, I bet more would do so. As it stands, those of us who do brave the streets on our bicycles or feet have little choice but to breathe in all that exhaust. We're screwed either way! I’m looking forward to it, too. Also, Michael Lewyn often posts on Folio’s back page about this same issue. Plus, I’m betting he’ll speak again this year about the sprawl issue, at FCSL’s (Florida Coastal School of Law) annual Environmental Summit, held each November I believe. I hope so anyways, he gave a great presentation last year.

Zoning codes as they are now compromise Jacksonville in so many ways; socially, environmentally, and in terms of individual health: If people could more easily walk or bike between work, play, and home, I bet more would do so. As it stands, those of us who do brave the streets on our bicycles or feet have little choice but to breathe in all that exhaust. We’re screwed either way!

]]> By: thelakelander http://www.urbanjacksonville.info/2007/08/20/how-government-regulation-forces-americans-into-their-cars/#comment-55882 thelakelander Mon, 20 Aug 2007 12:28:27 +0000 http://www.urbanjacksonville.info/2007/08/20/how-government-regulation-forces-americans-into-their-cars/#comment-55882 I'm looking forward to reading this. Hopefully, Michael Lewyn has already sent a copy of this cast study to Brad Thoburn, the Council, Mayor's Office and JTA. I’m looking forward to reading this. Hopefully, Michael Lewyn has already sent a copy of this cast study to Brad Thoburn, the Council, Mayor’s Office and JTA.

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