A Washington State representative has some news for all you bicyclists who are feeling so smug about saving the environment.
You're actually causing problems, says Rep. Ed Orcutt, a Republican from Kalama, Wash.
Riding nonmotorized two-wheelers causes cyclists to have
"an increased heart rate and respiration," according to Orcutt. And because of that exertion, "You would be giving off more CO2 if you are riding a bike than
driving in a car."
Orcutt's assessment first came via an email exchange with a constituent who questioned the wisdom of the proposed new bike tax, which is part of the state's transportation bill.
Orcutt then elaborated on his stance in a conversation with the Seattle Bike Blog. He told blogger Tom Fucoloro that while Orcutt hasn't "done any
analysis" of the difference in CO2 from a person on a bike compared to
the engine of a car, "You can't just say that there's no pollution as a result of riding a bicycle."
Photo of exhausted bicyclist by Elvert X. Barnes via Flickr Creative Commons
Orcutt's right about the increased respiration. I hit the stationary bike at my fitness club this morning and I was panting before I fell off the machine the session was over.
But I think he's blowing all the heavy breathing out of proportion.
Maybe Orcutt is recalling late President Ronald Reagan's 1981 claim that "trees cause more pollution than automobiles do."
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