On Thu, 14 Jul 2005 22:41:37 GMT, "Jay S. Hill"
wrote:

wrote:
nonsense--rules specifically encouraging crashing had been
in force for over 90 years in the Tour de France.

Dear Señor Fogel;

A rule acknowledging that crashes might occur is not a rule that
encourages crashes. This murkily reminds me of the abortion debate.

Dear Jay,

Any economist would argue that a rule that removes the time
penalty for crashing in the last kilometer is encouraging
crashes in the last kilometer.

The law of supply and demand is not a question of morality,
nor is it murky.

Raise the cost of bicycle crashes in last kilometer of a
stage, and there will be fewer bicycle crashes. Lower the
cost, and there will be more.

Racers respond to market forces.

Carl Fogel