Last Wednesday afternoon, I almost hurt a young woman. She and her companion were standing close to the curb, by the state Route 99 viaduct.
On the Alaskan Way pedestrian and bike path, I wove amid people. I bike to work, it’s the quickest, cheapest way to get to my job and back again.
Engaged in conversation, she took a step back, something anyone could do, and bicycles are so quiet. I don’t have a bell, horn or siren, so I leaned away, tucked my right elbow in and whooped, “Hoh!”
She spun away, our shoulders touched.
When I passed, she said, “Jesus Christ!”
We were both surprised, unhurt, relieved. It had happened so fast, in less than a second, there was no time to be scared.
We had come so close — a stray chance let us go on, shaken but safe.
I put on the brakes, coasting through the crowd. I ride about 25 miles a week, and every day, I’m amazed more bicyclists and pedestrians don’t get hurt or killed in traffic accidents. Maybe you notice it more from a bicycle, because you’re so quick and agile.
The largest challenge to transportation in Seattle is not pedestrians, bicycles, cars, buses or trucks; it’s not motorcycles or mass transit, boats or airplanes.
It’s that people aren’t aware of their surroundings.
Tuning out
Men and women going to or coming from work on sidewalks tend to look straight ahead. Couples, friends, people who know each other talk among themselves. They may sport ear buds, tuning in to music, news or podcasts.
If you walk with someone, chances are you’ll converse and you won’t be plugged in. You’ll be more aware than someone playing a Smartphone game on a bus or texting in a car.
In transit, we tend to randomize, unless there’s a reason to stay present. The more removed in thought or technology, the more likely you’ll end up a statistic.
Intelligent people end up in fatal accidents. A drunk at the wheel can turn a family into tragedy.
So if it’s a matter of time before you or I amble in front of a moving bus at the corner of Third Avenue and Pine Street, what do we do about it?
Nobody likes the answer. If you tell a stranger to wise up, you’ll likely get an earful you don’t want to hear.
There are three topics that bring any gathering of people to silence. First, the number of children they should have. Second, the character, appearance and behavior of their dogs. And, third, their own ignorance.
A tax on everyone
To guarantee a greater public good by reducing rush-hour congestion, traffic fatalities and road-rage incidents, our elected officials should enact a state tax on stupidity.
Some might argue it’s a bit much, a step too far for even liberal Seattle to take. Yet, a reasonably fined rate of return could realize the promise of this perpetual-motion money machine.
It would be popular in Olympia, as Republicans and Democrats alike could look forward to taxing each other. There would be no shortage of sponsors, as senators and representatives align themselves with the smart money.
Not only could we fully fund K-12 education as mandated in the state constitution, we could also eliminate less-popular income sources. We wouldn’t need a sales tax, a business-and-occupation tax, even car tabs or vehicle-registration fees. We’d avoid a state income tax, too.
There’d be renewable financing for affordable housing, social services, economic development, transportation and public safety.
Payment would be on a sliding scale, dependent on income and the severity of foolishness. Or, we could use a tithe, a pay-as-you-go model, with refunds each year if you don’t set your neighborhood on fire, commit crimes or otherwise be a public nuisance.
It would be easy to find the perpetrators, too, as cameras can be everywhere these days; plus, there’s DNA testing to confirm identity.
The surveillance technology is already here. The leaks to The Guardian by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden prove the intelligence community can track anyone — except its own employees. Rather than merely condemn the feds for spying on us, let’s embrace this opportunity and make a buck for all.
First, Washington; then, the world.
An age of peace and prosperity beckons — with good schools, good roads and good government — made possible by people like us paying the price for being situationally awkward.
Unless motivated by self-interest, politicians would surely pass this tax. It could be the most popular and profitable scheme in the history of humankind.
Then, once our civic coffers are filled with the cost of ignorance, maybe we’ll get around to fixing the potholes.
In the meantime, I’m going to be more watchful on wheels.
CRAIG THOMPSON is a longtime community activist. To comment on this column, write to QAMagNews@nwlink.com.
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