, I emphasize that to say it is not the official Bike Fed opinion, I agree with an additional fee paid by cyclists to start the funding discussion on the right foot. I think once we establish that we pay for what we get, we could then move on to demand that we stop paying for what we don’t use and in the end we would have a sustainable dedicated funding stream and bicycling would look a lot more attractive to a lot more people. Unless you know something I don’t about this excise tax bill, I think you and I are in the minority among our fellow cyclists.

The full coverage Velo Orange fenders and the big waffle Bibia Classic mud flap keep most of the spray off my estate sale purchased ($4!) vintage Allen Edmunds. I do wear Tingley “Executives” tall rubber overshoes on messier days. I also wear really tall (mid thigh) Bed Stu black cap toe combat boots, that look like dress shoes with my pants down. I have treated them with Sno Seal waterproofing (awesome beeswax based stuff) that protects them. On days like yesterday, I wear a thrifted London Fog trenchcoat, which keeps my legs dry to the knees. Then I roll up my pants to the top of my boots and don’t worry about any spray that hits the waterproof Bed Stu’s. I have not yet tried my new REALLY tall wrestling boots to commute in. Those red, knee high boots are made of PVC, so fully waterproof, but completely unbreathable I am also afraid they might crack in the 12 degree temps I pedaled home in yesterday. But they do make a heck of a fashion statement around the water cooler!