Do Bicyclists Deserve to be Taxed?

Reader Comments
Back to blog

Umm excuse me but bicyclists already help pay to upkeep our roads; regardless of whether or not they own a car. Anyone who thinks that roads are paid for entirely by vehicle registration and gas taxes needs to get a clue. Only about 92 percent of the highway system is paid for through these taxes and the rest comes from the general fund. Almost all of the country, city, municipal and residental roads are built with money from the general fund. Guess where the money in the general fund comes from? Income, sales and property tazes. I work and I shop therefore I already pay for the roads. Everyone does. Hence the reason the roads belong to everybody and not just cars.

Matt of MN 7:35PM April 27, 2009

We could tax ALL vehicles based on weight (and thus their wear and tear on the road). Maybe $1/pound/year? I think for this to work we'd have to bin the vehicles in ~20 pound bins because my boss should be taxed as much for his carbon fiber titanium IndyFab as I am for my vintage steel beauty. But I'd pay $20/year to use the roads if Mr. Hummer were paying his $8,600/year for his wear-and-tear. They want fair? This is fair.
Or we could tax vehicles based on carbon emissions - though this is a bit like the gasoline tax (which should go up).
Tax based on real impact, not per capita.

Charlotte from chic cyclist of MA 11:31AM April 17, 2009

WHEN ARE WE GOING TO BE TAXED FOR THE AIR WE INHALE, THE RAIN THAT FALLS ON GARDEN, THE SUNSHINE THAT FALLS ON THE SOLAR CELLS TO HEAT THE WATER, THE WIND THAT TURNS THE WINDMILL? WHATS NEXT, THE GOVERNMENT, AND STATES ARE TAX CRAZY, AND WE ALL KNOW IT JUST GOES INTO THE POCKETS OF THE POLITITIONS.

EDWARD of MA 11:29AM April 17, 2009

You encourage people to ride bikes to cut down on polution...then you charge them for doing so??? Kinda of a contradicting thought, isn't it??

Tiara of KS 12:41PM April 13, 2009

Bikes go where cars do not, often roaming into areas where there is no bike-supporting "infrastructure" for miles. Specific areas that ARE set aside for bikes-only are also used by pedestrians.
Since people who ride bikes wear shoes as well - in addition to said pedestrians - there should be a tax on shoes. Sounds laughable?
Well, it IS! So let's think of some other idea that actually supports the idea of MORE bike usage, not less!
By paying the registration fee, would that same bike rider now forgo the type of insurance that - unfortunately - protects the cyclist ONLY from theft of his ride?
Also, bikes cannot ride on the freeway or turnpikes, Much of the dollars that are raised from registration fees go towards maintenance of THOSE infrastructures in certain states.

Chris Skurkey of OH 4:51PM April 07, 2009

It deals with arrogant people. The same ones who keep sex, gambling, and pot illegal. Yes billions of dollars given directly to gangs.
Don't mind them they feel neglected today.
Wouldn't you need representation per taxation?
How many law people ride a bike?
How many only drive/ride a motor?
Any person who is a cyclist, will see the people they tax and as they will be taxed to use an American right. Imagine you are taxed to vote? Or walk down the street?
If this was China that might make some cents, here we have more bikes sold than cars, yet few need them. 91 percent of households owns one motor vehicle. So it becomes a second bicycle tax, which is not the sales tax mind you.
Motorists use weapons to get around. Much different beast and hence the American privilege.

acyclist of AZ 4:12PM April 06, 2009

What next? Mothers and apple pie?

Luther of IL 2:14AM April 06, 2009

What should we expect from the state that brought you the first tax on hybrids because they avoided gasoline taxes?
I think in this case, the politician is offering this measure as a gesture of spite expressing some petty and conscious hostility towards a specific group of citizens (bike riders/commuters). It would be more worthy of consideration if it were proposed in order to increase bike lanes or widen bicycle safety programs throughout the state.
It's just an effort for this politician to drum up support from the A.M. talk radio crowd.

Leo Horishny of NV 11:53PM April 05, 2009

This is clearly a stupid idea coming from a most likely stupid politician who is short sighted. I can't believe a politician could come up with such an idea considering the world's struggle to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Taxes should be imposed on cars to discourage people from driving.

Mike 8:53PM April 05, 2009

Now everyone, right or left, can begin to understand why some ideas the politicians come up with just drive the thinking person crazy! Its not whether one is pro this or con that, its the lack of common sense that our leadership seems impossible to get a handle on!
A Cyclists Tax? How about a "Law" Tax? Every time a politician passes a law he has to show how its cost reduces the burden on all sides of the political spectrum by 50% of its benefit!
I imagine 90% of them wouldn't even be able to understand what I just wrote!
P.S. Senior citizen scooters are next...the "grandma tax"!

Tom in San Diego of CA 2:57PM April 05, 2009