“I don’t know if the government has any business meddling in my pedaling.” -Kurt Kelsey
Oregon recently passed a new bicycle tax as part of its latest transportation funding bill and one Colorado state senator from Grand Junction is proposing Colorado follow suit. New tax in Oregon adds on $15 for every new adult bike sold for over $200.
Senator Ray Scott from Grand Junction made the suggestion on Twitter, even tabling a possible license plate solution:
As you might imagine the reaction to the proposed tax from Colorado’s bike community has been mixed but it should be noted that Oregon’s new law earmarks the bicycle tax money bike related expenditures like bike lanes. I think that incentivizing bike riding is a great overall strategy for any state (health, environmental, tourism) but the money to keep the roads functional has to come from somewhere so taxes will be collected. What do you think….do you approve of this type of legislation? How would you solve the problem if you were in the position to make a decision?
We will keep you posted if there are any developments on this story. In the mean time you can tweet Ray Scott directly HERE.
[images from ray scott twitter]
