On Aug 2, 10:56 pm, "Tom \"Johnny Sunset\" Sherman"
wrote:
Keats wrote:
"Tom "Johnny Sunset" Sherman" wrote in message
. ..
Keats WHO? wrote:
What would you think about a stiff graduated luxury tax on bicycles
costing over $150.00 (US) and bicycle accessories to help pay for the
things you demand? Why should my eighty year old mother, who has trouble
paying for her prescription drugs, need to help pay for your shower and
locker located in a business somewhere?...
The railroads were given free land by the federal government, barges and
riverboats do not pay the full costs of locks and dredging, airports and
air traffic control are subsided by the federal government, fuel taxes,
licensing fees and tolls do not pay the full cost of the roadways (in the
U.S.). Why should cyclists be singled out, especially where there is an
externality BENEFIT to society if more people commute by bicycle?

--

I take it you don't like the idea of the wealthiest Americans who possess
multiple bicycles costing $3000, $5,000, and even $7,000.00 (USA) and up
having to pay a luxury tax on these bikes to offset a small portion of the
cost of all the freebies you want. Yeah, I know the routine, once upon a
time someone got something from the government without paying for it so the
things you want should be paid for by someone else too. And so it goes.

The governments (federal, state and local) in the U.S. (and many other
countries) use taxes to discourage behavior and tax breaks to encourage
behavior. I am merely recommending the proper use of this common policy
tool.

The use it here too! Just that they give tax breaks and all kinds of
facilities to those at the top. Have you noticed that 99% fo the bike
paths are concentrated where the big people live?