Comment Log Display

How to invest.  Funds from the cap and trade program should be
invested in bicycle infrastructure in urban areas.  The
transportation sector is the biggest source of greenhouse gas
emissions in California.  Using cap and trade funds to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector is a
logical priority.  The potential for reducing vehicle miles
travelled and increasing bicycle trips is great.  Bicycling rates
for most California urban areas are at relatively low levels. 
However, the rate of trip making by bike in California, and in
cities around the world, has dramatically increased when
investments in bicycle infrastructure and commitments to bicycling
as a form of transportation have been made.  Forty percent of all
trips are less than two miles, a distance that is easily bikeable
by people of all ages and abilities.  Those trips can be made in a
time that is competitive with driving.  Countless surveys have
shown that the reason most people don’t bike now is fear, though
many indicate they would be willing to bike if facilities like bike
lanes and bike paths were available.  

Bicycling is the least expensive form of transportation for most
trips.  When all costs are considered, it is far less expensive
than driving or transit.  At the same time, bicycling is an
effective way to increase the reach of transit, greatly expanding
the size of the usual “walkshed” to transit stops or stations.

Bicycling is proven and simple technology.  It’s been shown to work
on any scale.  It doesn’t rely on an untried, speculative concept
or a new product that someone is trying to sell.  Supporting
bicycling through infrastructure construction is low in risk and
cost.

The ancillary benefits of increased levels of bicycling, without
the considering the reduction in greenhouse gases, are further
justification for investing in bicycle infrastructure.  These
benefits alone justify bicycle infrastructure investment.  The
benefits include:  improvements in public health through increased
physical activity (and decreased levels of obesity and overweight)
and fewer vehicle crashes, improved air quality through reduction
in smog and particulates, reduced energy consumption, reduced
traffic congestion and reduced noise levels.  Together these would
result in higher quality of life in California communities.

The Rails to Trails Conservancy report Active Transportation in
America
http://www.railstotrails.org/resources/documents/whatwedo/atfa/ATFA_20081020.pdf,
quantifies CO2 reductions, increased physical activity levels, and
fuel savings. The report estimates monetary savings from three
different scenarios of bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure investment
nationwide.  The estimated dollar savings range from $4 billion to
$69 billion and don’t include savings from reductions in automobile
crashes.

Criteria for investment of cap and trade funds.  To meet the goals
of AB32 most directly, I recommend the following criteria for
investment of cap and trade funds:
Estimated reduction in CO2/greenhouse gas emissions
Public health benefits—health improvement measured by outcomes such
as estimated increased time spent in physical activity, reduction
in traffic fatalities/injuries, increased longevity and health care
cost savings
Cost effectiveness—cost per ton of CO/2 greenhouse gas emissions
reduction

Original File Name:

Date and Time Comment Was Submitted: 2012-06-12 13:42:15