$15 Bike Tax - Oregon

I hope California is not soon to follow.

Oregon Legislature passes $15 bike tax
Published July 7, 2017
by BRAIN Staff
SALEM, Ore. (BRAIN) — The Oregon Legislature has passed a transportation bill that includes a $15 excise tax on bikes sales. The bill is expected to be signed by Gov. Kate Brown.

The tax would apply to sales of new bikes with wheels 26 inches or larger and a retail price of $200 or more.

According to Bike Portland, the tax is expected to raise $1.2 million per year and cost $100,000 per year to administer. The proceeds are being set aside for bicycle and pedestrian transportation projects including bicycle trails, footpaths and multi-use trails.

Retailers will have to file quarterly returns to with the state and keep records and receipts for five years. It is believed to be the only state bike excise tax in the U.S.




http://www.bicycleretailer.com/nort...n-legislature-passes-15-bike-tax#.WWFLarFlCf1

 

Well, now that you've blabbed it all over the interwebs, the CA legislators will see it. And I am not at all surprised that Oregon did this. I actually find it hard to believe it didn't already exist.

I give it 6 months and we'll have it too. Except that here, the funds will be diverted to something other than transportation. Maybe a certain train through the Central Valley.

 

Sounds about right. I mean, if it provided protected bike lanes and prevented fatalities I'd be fine with it. But your speculation sounds far more likely.

 

Me too, actually.

 

The problem here is that the funds will end up being moved into some other area of the Govt and we will never see a dime's worth of improvement in the cycling community of our state.

I guess that is saying the same thing, lol.

 

A $200 floor will even impact some Wal-Mart bikes. Those bikes don't last a year, so it's like an annual subscription paid to the state.

 

Eh $15 is nothing when buying a bike (I don't know if a walmart buyer would pay $15 more or not...). Good thing that Portland is doing (as long as funds are really set aside for some biking improvement).

Dang you guys are cynical re CA. nevermind, you're right. Maybe it would help pay for a bike rack on that train? Or a couple lunches for Herry and friends while he props the idea to the Santa Cruz guys....

 

The California High Speed Rail will remove busloads of French Tourists from I-5 and SR99 on their way to Yosemite and the Sequoias. That's about it, though. I think it should go to Vegas. Hmmm. Maybe from the Tehachapi Station the Authority can construct a spur through the Mohave parallel to the roadway.

 

I had to buy a city license for my bike in Glen Ellyn Il in 1969, and in Longmont CO in 1971. It required annual renewal. Not sure why, and I didn't think to ask, given that I was between 6 and 8 years old. Parents helped me take care of it.

So this does not seem outrageous to me.

 

The word TAX, is outrageous to me. But don't worry. Moon Beam Jerry Brown now uses the word "FEE". It's exesively easy to be cynical in and about California. California is the "State of Taxes and Fees." We should rename our state slogan that, "Home of State Taxes and Fees."

I'm with many of you, government financial management is irresponsible at best. They wouldn't run their personal finances like they do the State, would they? Well, maybe they would...

In regards to Oregon, it's a blue state so people seem to instantly buy off that the money will go where it's supposed to. Then forget that it's not, then create a new tax for something similar, then forget, and the cycle goes on. California has been doing that for years, now it is one of the most expensive states to live in. How's the streets and highways near your house? (for example).

It would be nice if we could work within a budget (I know, what a concept!) instead of just creating new taxes and fees. I think those jackwad politicians think they have to constantly create new bills to introduce to justify their office space. How about just properly managing what has been given them to manage?

So you may guess I am against the $15 buck scam.
Just sayin'

 

Expect to see a lot of $199.99 bikes for sale in OR.

 

The upside is that this can be used to counter the argument that bikes don't belong on the road because cyclists don't pay gas taxes. Needless to say the same people making those arguments don't take into account that most cyclists also own cars and therefore pay gas tax. Not that gas tax is anywhere close to covering road/highway expenses. The rest is provided by income/property/sales taxes, which of course cyclists pay. But that's a complicated conversation to have with someone screaming "Bikes don't belong on the road!"

 

Let's keep in mind that OR doesn't have sales tax!
I'm willing to pay $15 (vs. $900) any day.....

 

how do I delete a duplicate message?

 

Just delete it.

 

You ask the Forum Moderator to delete it for you...

 

Dear Mikie, please may I be the Forum Moderator for a day!?

 

Sure, and he might get to it if he ever comes home from riding....

 

No.

 

Thank (insert favored deity)!!!