As a regular bicycle commuter, I would be all in favor of paying some sort of tax if it would get me better bike lanes and bike paths. I think this is a fabulous idea. I really HATE the meme that "taxes are punishment". They're no more a punishment than any cost is - they're the payment one makes for taking part in society. Of course the rates for such a thing would have to be set appropriately. I may use my bicycle as my main form of transportation but I also own a car. For my car I pay a yearly fee plus a tax on each gallon gas I buy. For my bike there's no gas equivalent, so I'm not sure how one would equalize fees between people like me who regularly bike 2000-3000 mi a year vs. people who go out for a weekend ride with their kids once a month on the local bike path. We're both using the same facilities but I'm clearly making more use of it than they are. I think a fixed $ amount on a new bike makes sense - afterall the person who rides more often is going to be replacing the bike more often. Maybe an added percentage on parts and services at bike shops as well?
Sara - 15 years ago
If you use it, you should help pay for it. If you don't, you shouldn't help pay for it. This tax should also extend to other modes of road transport...Amish buggies for one.
Jack - 15 years ago
Why not a horsepower tax? Or maybe a GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) tax? Either of those would basically charge based on the projected load on the road surface. As far as the money going to "bicycle facilities", we already have those. They're called "roads". In every state in the union cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other vehicles. And bicycles are vehicles. We don't need to spend money to buy something we already have. Just enforce the laws that exist and we can all use the roads as is. Enforce the speeding/right-of-way/passing/etc. Save the taxpayers the money.
Freddy - 15 years ago
They shouldn't pay road tax but if caught on the sidewalk should pay a $1,000 fine.
SgtMaj - 15 years ago
I think this is a great idea. If cyclists start paying road use taxes, governments will be encouraged to build bike lanes to encourage more people to bicycle.
As a regular bicycle commuter, I would be all in favor of paying some sort of tax if it would get me better bike lanes and bike paths. I think this is a fabulous idea. I really HATE the meme that "taxes are punishment". They're no more a punishment than any cost is - they're the payment one makes for taking part in society. Of course the rates for such a thing would have to be set appropriately. I may use my bicycle as my main form of transportation but I also own a car. For my car I pay a yearly fee plus a tax on each gallon gas I buy. For my bike there's no gas equivalent, so I'm not sure how one would equalize fees between people like me who regularly bike 2000-3000 mi a year vs. people who go out for a weekend ride with their kids once a month on the local bike path. We're both using the same facilities but I'm clearly making more use of it than they are. I think a fixed $ amount on a new bike makes sense - afterall the person who rides more often is going to be replacing the bike more often. Maybe an added percentage on parts and services at bike shops as well?
If you use it, you should help pay for it. If you don't, you shouldn't help pay for it. This tax should also extend to other modes of road transport...Amish buggies for one.
Why not a horsepower tax? Or maybe a GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) tax? Either of those would basically charge based on the projected load on the road surface. As far as the money going to "bicycle facilities", we already have those. They're called "roads". In every state in the union cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other vehicles. And bicycles are vehicles. We don't need to spend money to buy something we already have. Just enforce the laws that exist and we can all use the roads as is. Enforce the speeding/right-of-way/passing/etc. Save the taxpayers the money.
They shouldn't pay road tax but if caught on the sidewalk should pay a $1,000 fine.
I think this is a great idea. If cyclists start paying road use taxes, governments will be encouraged to build bike lanes to encourage more people to bicycle.