Portland Politician Pushing for Bike Tax has Short-Sighted Political Ambitions
By Rocky Thompson on April 9th, 2009
Some crazy son of a bitch in Portland wants the DMV in Oregon to charge a $54 registration fee for every bike on the road along with another $54 licensing fee due every two years. They’re calling it a “bike registration bill” right now because “fun tax” would have been met with slightly less vitriol. The state rep who proposed the measure argues that cyclists use the road infrastructure and bike lane improvements have cost millions while motorists have been left paying most of the costs. He says the bike tax would create equity between riders and motorists. Cyclists argue that charge $54 every two years would be a barrier for people to give up cars and get on a bike, and that the draconian bike licensing proposed is unspeakably stupid. Of course, the cyclists were nice enough not to mention that they’re saving the world while drivers are ruining it.
via Bike Portland
Tags: Cycling
I’d like to see them enforce this with all the WalMart bikes on the streets.
Little Johnny, show me your registration! The good news is that you don’t need to be smart to be state rep in Oregon. Hell, I could be elected.
Equity– yeah, right. How many bikers do not also own cars? 6? Give them a damn freebie. It would be cheaper than trying to enforce stupid laws like this.
Are they going to tax bus riders too? They aren’t paying their share. Do any road revenues come out of general funds? Then people who never drive are helping subsidize drivers.
I say we start taxing idiots like this guy. Your tax is inversely proportional to your common sense.