Michael Poplawski wrote:

> It makes sense to me. Both cycling and transit are (practically)
> single-traveler modes used to cover distances which would be too far
> to walk; if you tip the scales in favour of one mode, the other will
> suffer. (Could you imagine what would happen if free transit, from
> anywhere to anywhere, were provided in your community? Do we think
> people would still commute by bike to work, other than people
> committed to exercising?)

No need to imagine free transit. We have had it here in Chapel Hill, NC
for a few years now. It has killed cycling, but I don't have numbers.

> A lot of people involved with cycling advocacy discussions often talk
> about transit (buses, trains) as being an aid to the good fight
> against the single-occupant motor vehicle, but the negative effect
> transit has on cycling is usually not seen through the green glasses
> of anti-motoring.

Most transit systems get worse economy than if all passengers drove
alone. However, transit is actually worse than that because it converts
bicyclists and pedestrians into chauffered motorists. Heavy, polluting
short haul transit has nothing in common with cycling.

Wayne