On Sun, 30 Apr 2017 11:11:24 -0700, Jeff Liebermann
wrote:

On Sun, 30 Apr 2017 09:35:40 -0400, Frank Krygowski
wrote:

Oregon bike tax?
http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/i...tax_lawma.html
1% on bike sales seems like a token to silence the cries that "they
don't pay their way." It couldn't generate much money, could it?

You mean like user fees? That's not the modern way. In California,
if you want to pay for a transportation improvement, you tax those who
do NOT choose to use it. For example, when it was proposed to install
a light rail system connecting Silly Clone Valley (where the jobs are)
to Santa Cruz County (where the homes are), it was determined that
selling tickets for rides would be too expensive. Therefore, the
automobile drivers who fail to appreciate the benefits of the light
rail system should be charged for the honor of supporting it. At the
public meeting where this was discussed, there was a near riot as
commuters voiced their objections.

Apparently, Oregon and most states subscribe to this system, where
truck and automobile drivers pay for the roads because they fail to
appreciate the benefits of bicycle riding. It's sorta a fine for not
using bicycles. Seems like a common and perfectly acceptable, but
unfair, scheme. For example, I don't have any children (that I know
of) but I still pay for the schools with my property tax dollars.

I assume that the trend will continue. If a bicycle tax is enacted,
the money will be used to support sidewalks, do/don't walk signals at
intersections, and safety helmet promotions for pedestrians on the
theory that bicyclists fail to appreciate the benefits of walking.

Somewhere I have seen the number "$1,000,000 per mile" used in
reference to constructing bicycle paths and while that does sound like
a lot it might be, where real estate might have to be purchased to
increase right of way for the path, be applicable.

Given that the auto - truck crowd sees no sense in bicycle paths the
historical method of building special purpose highways might be used.
The Toll Road, a roadway built by a group and paid for by the users
thereof.

If, for instance, a one mile toll road were constructed at the
specified $1,000,000 and a 10 year bond issue was used to finance it
we would be looking at a 1,000,000 + say 3% dividend annually =
1,300,000. If, again for example, some 1,000 bicyclists used the path
5 days a week that would be only $3.96 a rider, which for a bloke
riding a $3,000 bicycle seems a mere pittance.

However, given the scofflaw attitude exhibited by most cyclists it is
likely that some sort of legal means would be required to encourage
the bicyclists to use the new "Toll Road built especially For Him".
Perhaps a ruling that failure to use said road, where it is available,
is punished by a $5.00 fine.


Perhaps the perfect solution whereby (a) the bicyclists has his own
road, and (b) he that HE has paid his dues.