[LordOpie]

Levy taxes on bicyclists
R. Brauch

The Pittman-Robertson Act of 1937 and amended in 1970 taxes all sport shooting and hunting-related items with the funds helping to pay for research, land purchase, education and support of wildlife. This fund goes a long way to support these folks’ recreational pursuits.

I propose a tax on all bicycle- related items be levied to assist in funding the many projects riders demand in the pursuit of their sport. They pay no road tax, license fees, carry no insurance and in many cases are a hazard to traffic.

The widening of Taft Hill Road will probably cost much more due to the proposed widened shoulders to allow bike access to the Poudre Trail. The funds collected could go a long way toward paying for these improvements and would foster a feeling that these folks are helping pay their own way.

R. Brauch,
Fort Collins

link

my response to the bikeforums.net thread...

I don't have an answer to your question, but if I have to pay taxes to ride my bike, then I want a refund on the reduced expense riding my bike has on society:

- I'm healthier, so I want reduced health insurance.
- I'm poluting less, so I want some money back from that.
- Since I'm commuting and not damaging the roads from the car or motorcycle (own both), I want to pay less car taxes.
- Since I'm not driving as much, I want to pay less property taxes for the money that's going to road repairs. (tho I do support the measure going up for vote this November in Denver... I know that website's for FoCo)
- forcing people to pay cycling taxes might discourage commuting and put MORE cars on the road for more congestion, more road rage, more garbage.

Some people are infuriatingly stupid. I'd post my thoughts, but don't want to bother signing up on that website.

 

[syadasti]

Along the lines of stupid tax discussion, some fvcktard here is trying to get cyclists to pay taxes. Gonna start a new thread for this slow RM day...

Cyclists already pay taxes that go to public roads. That makes as much sense as double jeopardy...

 

[Echo]

Fortunately, this doesn't sound like anything that will be taken seriously by politicians. The fact that it was even proposed is kind of disturbing though.

 

[LordOpie]

Fortunately, this doesn't sound like anything that will be taken seriously by politicians. The fact that it was even proposed is kind of disturbing though.

agreed on both accounts.

What annoys me with stuff like this is the shortsightedness of it all.

 

[Echo]

Who is this R. Brauch dude?

 

[I Are Baboon]

Who is this R. Brauch dude?

This guy is from Fort Collins. I wonder if that's just a coincidence.

 

[skatetokil]

when our government sees any activity that is not directly taxed or subsidized, they get creative and try to find new ways to get their dirty mitts on it.

 

[DRB]

If I ever thought that it would afford me some level of access, protection, and acceptance beyond what I currently have it would probably be worth it. But what are the odds of that....

 

[LordOpie]

If I ever thought that it would afford me some level of access, protection, and acceptance beyond what I currently have it would probably be worth it. But what are the odds of that....

You mean like cleaning the "bike lanes" instead of using them as a gutter to sweep the rocks and glass?

 

[BMXman]

If I ever thought that it would afford me some level of access, protection, and acceptance beyond what I currently have it would probably be worth it. But what are the odds of that....

exactly my thoughts....I doubt the money would ever go towards benefiting cyclists at all...D