Thread by @thestreettrust

Okay, can we take some time to talk about the bike tax? (Thread)

#orpol #orleg

Last week, #orleg approved a transportation package which includes $1.3 billion investment in biking, walking, and public transit #orpol

This package includes an estimated $70 million investment in bikeable trails throughout the state. #orpol #orleg

It also directs $125 million to #SafeRoutesToSchool to make it safer & more accessible for kids to bike to and from school #orpol #orleg

For context, #SafeRoutesToSchool received $12 million in funding over past 10 years. This package includes more than 10x that

#orpol #orleg

This historic investment in walking, biking, & transit puts OR on the map as a leader in accessibility & active transportation #orpol #orleg

This is also the first time #orleg has been so receptive to addressing needs & concerns of advocates for biking, walking, & transit. #orpol

We see the passage of this package as the result of many years of hard work by advocates who care deeply abt cycling community #orpol #orleg

That's not to say this bill is perfect. In fact, it contains several provisions which we dislike and have fought back against

#orpol #orleg

One such provision is the $15 bicycle tax, a solution in search of a problem, one we worked hard to exclude from final bill #orpol #orleg

Like many of you, we are no fan of this tax. Never were. We share the concerns of bike shops & cyclists who will be affected. #orpol #orleg

Bicycles are part of the solution to our transportation challenges, and this tax sends wrong message to those trying to help.

#orpol #orleg

Many legislators refused to consider supporting the package if it didn't include this tax, leaving us with a difficult choice. #orpol #orleg

To reduce impact on lower-income communities, we fought to exempt bikes under $200. It wasn't easy, but we won this fight. #orpol #orleg

The $15 bike tax is expected to raise $1.2 million to fund critical bike safety & accessibility projects in Oregon. #orpol #orleg

Though unnecessary, total cost of bike tax is overwhelmingly outweighed by historic investment in biking, walking, & transit #orpol #orleg

While tax affects many in cycling community, this revenue helps prevent road deaths & injuries for both cyclists & pedestrians #orpol #orleg

To be clear, these investments will save lives for decades to come. That's priceless.

#VisionZero #orpol #orleg

It's also worth noting that biggest barrier for folks to transition to cycling = safety concerns, not cost of bikes.

#orpol #orleg

Rather than abandon effort to secure these investments, we made difficult decision to support HB2017 in spite of $15 bike tax

#orpol #orleg

Let's be frank: the $15 bike tax is very disappointing. It's also well worth the investments in bike safety & accessibility.

#orpol #orleg

We stand by our decision to support HB2017 because it delivers funding we need for safety of cyclists & pedestrians in Oregon

#orpol #orleg

There are more opportunities ahead for us to stand up for our shared priorities and mitigate impact of the bike tax.

#orpol #orleg

Together, we'll keep up the fight to make Oregon the cheapest, easiest, and safest place to walk, bike, & use public transit.

#orpol #orleg