Editor:
In Ms. Jacobson's whiny, snivelling diatribe (Sept. 14), she points out that parking spaces are decreasing, and then continues to reject all viable alternatives such as carpooling, biking and public transportation. She is both unwilling to consider the alternatives and yet does not consider herself part of the problem.
As Americans, we are a pampered, lazy and selfish lot who consider it a right and not a privilege to drive, often alone, where and when we want without the impositions of limited 'costly' parking. If the actual costs of driving were passed on to the consumer, the price of gas would increase by several dollars. Additionally, there is no such thing as 'free' parking. Those parking spaces at the mall, grocery store and theater cost money to build and maintain and, like all property, are taxed as well. Ultimately these costs are passed on to the consumer. Most parking fees do not cover the full cost; it is estimated that the hidden costs of 'free' parking are $85 billion dollars a year. In short, Ms. Jacobson, all of us who bike, walk, or bus to the UA are subsidizing you.
$140 per year is a sweet deal, in my opinion. You choose to drive, you choose not to bike or bus, therefore, you should pay for your decision. I really wonder if you have, in fact, ever biked to work? You whined that "Most of us . have to do errands on the way to/from work." Many of us who bike and walk do errands on the way to/from work. "Many of us want a workout at the rec center ." If you rode or walked to work, even one way or for two days a week, you could get both a workout and avoid that pesky parking problem. Imagine that!
I'm not sure what you mean by "lots of people have been run over by bicyclists" when, in fact, more people are run over by cars, in addition to the health risks caused by automobiles, damage to the environment and deaths due to oil wars.
You have taken whining to a new level with your blanket statements like "no one riding a bike looks" and the bike lane on Speedway provides a "false sense of security." John Forrester, an expert on bicycle transportation, analyzed traffic accidents involving bicycles and found that such bike lanes were the safest and most efficient way to travel on.
Ms. Jacobson, what is your answer to the parking problem? If you're not part of the solution, then you're part of the problem. And please, stop your whining.
Katie Ziegweid
Entomology Grad Student