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Chapter 5: Problem 9

John Cassidy, a writer for the New Yorker, wrote a blog post arguing against New York City's having installed bike lanes. Cassidy complained that the bike lanes had eliminated traffic lanes on some streets as well as some on-street parking. A writer for the Economist disputed Cassidy's argument with the following comment: "I hate to belabour the point, but driving, as it turns out, is associated with a number of negative externalities." What externalities are associated with driving? How do these externalities affect the debate over whether big cities should install more bike lanes?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The externalities associated with driving include air pollution, traffic congestion, road wear and tear, noise pollution, and risk of accidents. These externalities negatively impact the community and environment, and the installation of more bike lanes in big cities could help mitigate many of them. The decision, however, depends on a holistic evaluation of these trade-offs.

Step by step solution

01

Identify the Externalities of Driving

Externalities associated with driving include, but are not limited to: \n1. Air pollution: Cars, especially those that run on fossil fuels, emit pollutants that contribute to poor air quality. \n2. Traffic congestion: More cars on the road can lead to traffic congestion, which can waste time and energy. \n3. Road wear and tear: The more vehicles using roads, the more maintenance those roads will require. \n4. Noise pollution: Cars can also produce noise, causing disturbances in residential and commercial areas. \n5. Accidents: With more cars on the road, there is a higher risk of accidents, which can lead to fatalities and injuries, as well as property damage.
02

Assess the Impact of These Externalities on the Bike Lanes Debate

These externalities can be considered in the context of the debate over installing more bike lanes. \n1. Air pollution: Bike lanes encourage cycling, which doesn鈥檛 produce emissions. This could help improve air quality. \n2. Traffic congestion: Bike lanes could reduce the number of cars on the road, thereby reducing traffic congestion. \n3. Road wear and tear: Bikes cause less wear and tear on roads than cars, potentially saving money on road maintenance. \n4. Noise pollution: Bicycles are significantly quieter than cars, reducing noise pollution. \n5. Safety: Dedicated bike lanes can improve road safety by reducing interactions between cars and cyclists, potentially decreasing accident rates. So by considering these points, it can be argued that bike lanes can help mitigate many of the negative externalities associated with driving.
03

Formulate a Position Based on the Information

Given these considerations, while acknowledging that bike lanes may reduce some on-street parking or traffic lanes, they present benefits such as reduced traffic congestion, improved air quality, cost savings in road maintenance, reduced noise pollution, and improved safety. Each city or urban area would weigh these allocative and distributive impacts differently, but these are relevant points in the discussion over whether big cities should install more bike lanes. The decision to install more bike lanes hinges on a holistic evaluation of these trade-offs.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Air Pollution
When discussing the impact of driving on our environment, one of the most significant issues is air pollution. Vehicles, especially those running on fossil fuels, emit a variety of pollutants including nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter. These emissions contribute to smog formation, respiratory problems, and even climate change by increasing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Encouraging cycling by installing bike lanes can help reduce the number of vehicles on the road, leading to lower overall emissions. It is a benefit not just for cyclists but for everyone, as improving air quality can enhance public health and reduce healthcare costs associated with pollution-related illnesses.
Traffic Congestion
Another negative externality of driving is traffic congestion. Dense traffic leads to delays, increased fuel consumption, and driver frustration. This is a widespread problem especially in major cities where the road space is limited and the demand for travel is high.

Introducing more bike lanes can alleviate traffic congestion by providing people with an alternative mode of transportation. With a safe and accessible biking infrastructure, individuals may be more inclined to cycle rather than drive, particularly for short distances. This can progressively reduce the volume of traffic, helping to unclog busy streets and minimize the economic losses from time spent in traffic jams.
Road Maintenance
The wear and tear on roads caused by vehicles necessitates ongoing maintenance and repair. Heavier vehicles, like cars and trucks, contribute significantly to the deterioration of roadways, leading to potholes and other infrastructure damages.

Despite the initial costs of constructing bike lanes, they can lead to long-term savings on road maintenance. Bicycles are lighter and inflict less damage on the road surface compared to cars. Consequently, shifting towards cycling can extend the lifespan of road infrastructure and reduce public spending on repairs.
Noise Pollution
Noise pollution is a less discussed but equally troubling byproduct of road traffic. The clamor of engines, honking, and tire friction on pavement disrupts the tranquility of residential and commercial areas, contributing to stress and diminished quality of life.

By providing a quieter mode of transportation, bike lanes can significantly reduce noise pollution levels. As more people opt for bicycles, which produce negligible noise compared to motor vehicles, the auditory landscape of urban areas can be considerably improved, making cities more pleasant places to live and work.
Urban Planning
Urban planning plays a crucial role in shaping the sustainability and livability of cities. The decision to create more bike lanes ties directly into this by influencing patterns of land use, transportation, and public space.

Proper urban planning that includes the development of bike lanes can lead to a more balanced transport ecosystem. It promotes a healthier lifestyle, reduces dependence on personal automobiles, and can revitalize public spaces. Bike lanes should be a key part of any plan aiming to create greener, more efficient, and human-friendly cities, further enhancing the argument for their expansion.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Vaccines don't provide immunity from disease for some people. But if most people get vaccinated against a disease, such as measles, then the population achieves "herd immunity," which means that there are so few cases of the disease that even people for whom vaccinations are ineffective are unlikely to contract the disease. An article in the Economist argued that "herd immunity is a classic public good." a. Do you agree with this statement? b. The same article argued that there is an incentive to "free ride' off the contributions of others" by not getting vaccinated. What does the author mean by "free ride"? If the author is correct, what will be the effect of this free riding? c. Given your answer to part (b), why do most people vaccinate their children against childhood diseases, and why do many adults get vaccinated against influenza?

(Related to the Apply the Concept on page 163 ) An economics student made the following comment about a proposed carbon tax: I read that a tax on carbon would have a greater negative effect on low-income consumers than high-income consumers, but I disagree. Business executives spend a lot of money and time traveling- both by car and plane. Many rich people have homes that are considerably larger than the average family's home. Heating and air conditioning bills are certainly greater for larger homes than smaller homes. The cost of a carbon tax would surely be greater for those with the highest incomes. Explain whether you agree that a carbon tax would impose a greater burden on high-income consumers than low-income consumers.

In 2017, President Donald Trump was considering a major increase on federal government spending on infrastructure, including building and repairing bridges, highways, rail lines, and subways. An article in the Economist argued, "Just as economists talk of 'negative externalities' (from, say, pollution), infrastructure can have positive externalities that are not captured by investors but will benefit society." a. Explain what positive externalities infrastructure spending might generate. b. If infrastructure spending generates a positive externality, what effect should this have on government policy?

In the first years following the passage of the Clean Air Act in \(1970,\) air pollution declined sharply, and there were important health benefits, including a decline in infant mortality. According to an article in the Economist, however, recently some policymakers "worry that the EPA is constantly tightening restrictions on pollution, at ever higher cost to business but with diminishing returns in terms of public health." a. Why might additional reductions in air pollution come at "ever higher cost"? What does the article mean by arguing that these reductions will result in "diminishing returns in terms of public health"? b. How should the federal government decide whether further reductions in air pollution are needed?

William Easterly in The White Man's Burden shared the following account by New York University Professor Leonard Wantchekon of how Professor Wantchekon's village in Benin, Africa, managed the local fishing pond when he was growing up: To open the fishing season, elders performed ritual tests at Aml茅, a lake fifteen kilometers from the village. If the fish were large enough, fishing was allowed for two or three days. If they were too small, all fishing was forbidden, and anyone who secretly fished the lake at this time was outcast, excluded from the formal and informal groups that formed the village's social structure. Those who committed this breach of trust were often shunned by the whole community; no one would speak to the offender, or even acknowledge his existence for a year or more. What economic problem were the village elders trying to prevent? Do you think their solution was effective?
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