We are very disappointed to see Stamford Board of Reps member Terry Adams advocating for free car parking and a more dangerous street layout over much needed street safety improvements that would benefit many.
At 53:50 in this meeting, Terry Adams says that "bicyclists don't pay taxes in the neighborhood" as an argument for using public space for car parking rather than bike lanes.
This is a common trope thrown about by local officials all over the country, and we'd like to address it head-on:
1. People who ride bicycles pay as much in taxes as any other resident of Stamford. They are homeowners (they pay property tax) or renters (who pay property taxes through their rent). Most bicyclists also own cars.
2. Car vehicle taxes, gas taxes, and registration fees do not even come close to covering the cost of our overbuilt road and highway infrastructure. The US has one of the lowest gas taxes among developed nations and the revenue covers only about half of the money we spend on roads and highways.
3. Even separate from the tax question, public urban space is valuable and parking is among the least efficient uses of that space. Parklets, outdoor dining, bike lanes, etc. are often far better uses of public streets than free storage for private vehicles.
4. And finally, how much tax one pays should have no bearing on whether it should be safe for them to travel on a street without getting killed by cars. We need streets that are safe for all, not just those inside cars.
Read more about this common misconception: The Free Rider Myth by Elly Blue