A recent opinion (Letter to the Editor, "Licensing bike-riders," Oct. 19) expressed the desire to license (i.e. tax) bicycles to pay for the bike lanes.

I would like to point out that many, if not most, bike riders on the highway are adults who most likely also own and license cars, which are parked somewhere while the owners are riding their bikes.

During this time these parked cars are not contributing to wear and tear of the streets and highways, nor are they contributing to the pollution of our air or streams or adding to the congestion of the highways.

Additionally if we are to tax the bicycles, won't bikers have the right to demand that all roads have a bike lane added?

I, as a driver, appreciate as much as the bike riders do when they have their own lane, making it more safe and efficient while we travel at different speeds.

I feel that adding selected bike lanes is tax money well spent for the benefit of all, not just the bikers.

Geoff Stephens

Cary