Posted on 07/18/2017 12:59:41 AM PDT by gattaca
In Oregon, a state known for its avid bicycling culture, the state Legislature’s approval of the first bike tax in the nation has fallen flat with riders. Democratic Gov. Kate Brown is expected to sign the sweeping $5.3 billion transportation package, which includes a $15 excise tax on the sale of bicycles costing more than $200 with a wheel diameter of at least 26 inches. Even though the funding has been earmarked for improvements that will benefit cyclists, the tax has managed to irk both anti-tax Republicans and environmentally conscious bikers. BikePortland publisher Jonathan Maus called it “an unprecedented step in the wrong direction.” “We are taxing the healthiest, most inexpensive, most environmentally friendly, most efficient and most economically sustainable form of transportation ever devised by the human species,” Mr. Maus said.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
I thought Democrats loved taxes. I guess only when it’s on others.
> with a wheel diameter of at least 26 inches.
Prediction: Someone will start selling bikes with 25 3/4 inch wheels.
Government always finds a way
Cyclists want motorists to pay for their special bike lanes and trails. They are saving the planet, so they feel they are owed a free ride.
Jonathan Maus called it “an unprecedented step in the wrong direction.”
Actually Jonathan is just upset that he now has to pay for use just as everyone else. Suck it up buttercup- your free ride is over.
That one quote simplifies down to “We’re bicyclists, we’re cool, you can’t really mean you’re taxing US!?!?”
I can completely believe that is the bicyclists’ viewpoint. They seem to think all those cool bike lanes and other amenities spring from nowhere.
Isn’t this just the same thing as a tariff that the left is telling us is horrible because Donald Trump is proposing tariffs as a possible measure to force trade agreements? (I don’t necessarily agree with tariffs that The Donald has floated, but to the MSM, when liberals do it, it’s good, when conservatives do it, it’s bad.)
It’s a one time sales fee now, just wait until it is an annual registration fee. Heads will explode.
Serves them right, and long overdue that these snowflakes start paying their own way. They have destroyed Oregon with their anti-car, anti-business BS. These few people are living off the money of the rest of the population.
for adults riding expensive bikes, raise it to $10,000 per year !
And put a tax on spandex!
Democratic culture, tax and spend.
Go Oregon!!! Tax the hell of yourself
Virtually all cyclists also own cars and pay their share of road taxes. The issue is that roads should not by built in such a way that they become barriers to non-motorized movement, whether by pedestrians or cyclists. People should be able to move freely around their own neighborhoods, get across the street, walk to a local park, walk to schools, churches, and neighborhood shopping, etc. without being forced into a car. Sidewalks, wide shoulders, and/or bike lanes should be the standard for a properly designed road of any type.
The car lobby tends to assume that it has some inherent right to use eminent domain to seize other people's property for the purpose of punching commuter sewers though other people's neighborhoods. If motorists want to go nuclear against bike infrastructure, fine. But turnabout is fair play. Let's get rid of eminent domain for roadbuilding. The better approach, however, is to build complete roads that allow people to move freely around their own neighborhoods. That will take care of most of the bike issues.
Suckers getting sucked dry
“Streets” are the roads that both bikes and cars are supposed to use.
Please look at your state’s “Rules of the Road.” You appear to not be from the United States, with your strange comments.
Sounds very European. I can’t speak for the “car lobby”. This is not Europe.. this is America. Every time I get behind an idiot riding a bicycle, it slows myself and everyone else down. It negates the eco friendly bicycle because I am stuck with a longer commute and use more fuel, so are the twenty cars behind me. So in fact, it is more harmful to the environment by slowing down twenty cars, burning more fuel for each one.
In the old days my grandpa used to open his door and tap any dog chasing us. It would discourage the dog from chasing cars and keep it safer. I always think of him when I see a bicycle rider.
Typical elitist think. The working class needs to drive to work.
Get off the roads!
Mountlake Terrace Washington mid 60’s, bicycle license stickers were mandatory. They cost money, if memory serves they were a buck. Which is essentially a tax. We were told it helped to identify stolen property. But you could scrape them off...
If you drive a car, I’ll tax the street
If you get too cold, I’ll tax the heat
If you take a walk, I’ll tax your feet ..........
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