BIKE: Proposed law for $5 MB set aside

[elizabeth gray]

<There's no such thing as a free lunch and in a rational world where
transportation funding was truly tailored to the most effective
transportation solutions, perhaps there would be a better source of
funds for bicycle infrastructure.  Right now in a legislature where
Republican rule and the suburbs are their focus, this looks like a
winner.  And it does, after all, link the infrastructure costs to the
user, which is a sound principle of public finance.>

We certainly do need the money!  So to really make an impact, why not have 
it be a five PERCENT fee instead of five DOLLAR fee?

The proposed law applies to all bikes over $50.  The $5.00 fee for a cheap 
$55 Wal Mart bike would be 9% of the purchase price.  If we expect 
low-income people to pay that much, then of course more expensive bike 
buyers can also handle this worthwhile fee.   If we apply that percentage to 
the nicer bikes we can really collect some serious money!

Elizabeth Gray