Sluggers buy a clue

quote:

---

Originally posted by sluDgE
[br][?] Anyone know for sure what the rationale is for allowing motorcycles an HOV exemption? [?]
[B)] If it is to provide the mo'bikes a less-congested, safer environment over the regular lanes, does that rationale apply anymore with the increase congestion on HOV? [B)]

Just wonderin'.

Keep on sluggin'! [:)]

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Iride
[br]The HOV lanes were created to help with the areas clean air act. DC, VA and MD's highway funds are tied into the air quality, that is why code red air days are such a big deal. The act only allows for a small number of Code Red air days. Go over it and there are cuts or fines in the states highway funds. The exemption for hybrid cars was to encurage people to buy them and get a consumer base. VA does this but it goes against the rules of the HOV lanes as agreed on by the Fed's, DC and MD. HOV3 is because 395 corridor was determined to ne a certain percentage of cars removed from that corridor. HOV2 on RT66 for the same reason. They counted cars and crunched some numbers.

The shear popularity of the hybrid cars with single drivers HAS increased congestion. The HOV lanes may fail due to its' own popularity

---

The HOV lanes were created for several reasons. Orginally, HOV was not even one of the considerations - it was about limited access to assist with traffic flow. After all, if it was just for HOV, then every off/on ramp would have an HOV entry/exit point. Also, it used to be for busses only.

Obviously, the "against the rules" is a lame arguement or you would have seen a lawsuit in the federal courts - and we haven't.

The HOV lanes were created to help with the areas clean air act. DC, VA and MD's highway funds are tied into the air quality, that is why code red air days are such a big deal. The act only allows for a small number of Code Red air days. Go over it and there are cuts or fines in the states highway funds. The exemption for hybrid cars was to encurage people to buy them and get a consumer base. VA does this but it goes against the rules of the HOV lanes as agreed on by the Fed's, DC and MD. HOV3 is because 395 corridor was determined to ne a certain percentage of cars removed from that corridor. HOV2 on RT66 for the same reason. They counted cars and crunched some numbers.

As to motorcycles, they pollute less than a full size car and the number of bikes to cars is so low, and frankly they some one lobby in their behalf to allow them. As far as parking, I commute to the parking lot on a motorcycle, I have requested that there be motorcycle designated parking in the lots but nothing has been done. So I am forced to take a full parking spot or risk a parking ticket.

I have been slugging for over eight years and think it is a great alternative to driving (or commuting on the bike for that matter). The shear popularity of the hybrid cars with single drivers HAS increased congestion. The HOV lanes may fail due to its' own popularity

nope. It can be a law that only drivers age count as slugs. Let someone sue. They'd lose. It's not big deal. Kids are discriminated against in MANY ways - you can't drive til you're 16, vote til you're 18, drink til you're 21. You pay more insurance if you're a young driver. Etc etc etc. .....so this is different how?

Again, if you're going to MAXIMIZE HOV - get drivers off the road, you need to eliminate the excpetions for not only hybrids, but motorcyles, and children.

You'd be surprised how easy the commute would be then. Funny how people want everyone else's exemptions ended, but are very defensive when it's their own exemption.

My Harley riding former car-pool driver says: "Loud pipes save lives."

Considering our current driver almost squished a biker the other day because she was in our blindspot, there is some truth to that saying.

I really like MRoyal's little "HOV because you care" slogan. Nice.