How We Pay for Roads

An Olympia, Washington Case Study

From the Preliminary 1999 Transportation Budget 1

Many people believe that cyclists do not pay for roads and therefore have no right to use them. The fact is that cyclists have both a legal and fiscal right to the road. RCW 46.61.755 specifically permits cyclists to use roads in Washington. Cyclists also pay for roads as well. The table below illustrates the sources of funding for the capital projects and operations for the City of Olympia Draft 1999 Transportation Budget. The table shows that gas tax provides a minority of the funds for local roads. Therefore, even when cyclists are not drivers (and many if not most are), they still pay for the roads they cycle on. Furthermore, bicycles cause very little if any wear and tear on roads, compared to automobiles. Thus, cyclists may actually be disproportionately paying for the roads they use.

Cyclists have legal and fiscal rights to the road. Spread the word.

Capital Budget   Gas Tax Grants Impact Fees General Fund Other Total
  Mud Bay Road   $1,443,901 $1,210,399     $2,654,300
  4th / 5th Avenue Bridge   $300,000 $240,000     $540,000
  Evergreen Park Turn Lanes   $173,230 $334,610     $507,840
  Parking Management       $50,000   $50,000
  Street Access (handicapped)       $50,000   $50,000
  Street Repair / Reconstruction $275,000     $511,000   $786,000
  Sidewalks   $133,270   $150,000   $283,270
  Major Bicycle       $251,520   $251,520
  Stand-Alone Bicycle       $100,000   $100,000
  Streetscape       $50,000   $50,000
  Pedestrian Crossings   $20,000   $30,000   $50,000
  Public Works Trust Fund Loan       $93,245   $93,245
  Traffic Calming       $50,000   $50,000
  Total Capital Budget Items: $275,000 $2,070,401 $1,785,009 $1,335,765   $5,466,175
               
Operating Budget              
  Street Maintenance Section $658,000     $1,195,776   $1,853,776
  Traffic and Parking Management       $1,407,957 $2,700 $1,410,657
  Signs and Markings       $411,685 $8,000 $419,685
  Police Traffic Unit       $401,128    
  Total Operating Budget Items: $658,000 $0 $0 $3,416,546 $10,700 $3,684,118
Total Road and Street-Related Budget:   $933,000 $2,070,401 $1,785,009 $4,752,311 $10,700 $9,551,421
           
               
  Gas Tax Plus Grants % of Total:   31.44%        

1 Allocated Share of City Attorney, City Manager, City Council, Human Resources, & Medic One Not Calculated or Included.


Prepared by Northwest Microdesign & Velorution



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