Ron and Dorothy Strasser
In all reality about the only way they will have of getting any income from "a bicycle owner" is on the initial sale of a new bicycle or resale shop. Not including bikes that are stolen, so many change hands between individuals. Like was stated so many belong to children it would be almost impossible to keep track of these bikes. Johnny leaves bike in front yard. Bike is stolen. Parents get renewal notice of 50 or so dollars for reg. renewal. Parents paid 119 dollars for bike. Parents throw renewal notice away or let them know it was stolen. Bike is out there tearing up road way with the studded tires parents put on it for Johnny and yet no funds coming in for bicycle infrastructure. The amount proposed per year would also be way out of line with regard to funds needed to support cycling infrastructure. If yearly (or whatever timeframe they chose) fees were brought into play, I believe they would need to be pretty darn generic. What I mean is that I would report I own five bicycles and send them 10 dollars per bike or some such thing. I believe they would never be able to keep track of the bikes except at point of sale from a business. The cost of state, county or whatever level staff to keep track would eat the income. It will be VERY INTERESTING to see what lawmakers come up with as bicycle riders demand more rights to the roadways.
Just my view with mud in my eyes and plaques in my brain.
ron
----- Original Message -----
From: Michael O'Hair
To: obra@list.obra.org
Sent: Sunday, March 08, 2009 7:08 PM
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Licensing our bikes?
It will be interesting if not downright entertaining to watch the legislature work on the "formula" for taxation of bicycles.
Price? Original sticker price? Or must a receipt be produced on demand?
Size? They probably will consider "small" bikes to be kids bikes except there are all those BMX people.
Volume Discounts? For those of us with Bike Racer's Disease.
And from bicycles it's only a small step to skis.
I suspect that the license & DEQ fees for cars will go up way sooner.
----- Original Message -----
From: Melissa Boyd
Those of us with thousand-dollar bikes can afford to pay a "luxury" tax for the privelage of riding. However, I really believe we are in the minority. Most bikes are owned by kids, students who ride them to school, responsible adults who are saving gas or exercising for their health, and low-income people who can't afford cars. A tax of this sort is going to hurt the people who need help the most.
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