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Bike Rally Poster



It's 11x17 and off to the printer. Thanks to Michele Murphy! Click here to download a high-resolution version.

Rally at the Legislature!

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 at 12:00pm! Let's fill the Legislature grounds with cyclists and show this government there will be a political price to pay if they ram through this new tax on cycling.

The next session of the BC Legislature will begin the 1st week of March. I believe the government will likely try to rush the HST through this spring. They promised to implement by July.

As you know, if it passes as is, you will be paying 7% more tax on a bicycle purchased in BC.  This is more than you have paid in almost 30 years. You’ll also have to pay 7% more for stuff like helmets and locks, as well as paying 7% more for repairs.

The Liberal Government has got its head in the sand. Cycling is a healthy and sustainable transportation choice and should be encouraged, not punished with new taxes. Cycling is excellent physical activity: it helps you stay in good shape. That saves everyone healthcare dollars. And cycling is good for the environment.

Approximately 40% of emissions in BC come from transportation. Global warming is a crisis: creating disincentives for cycling is unacceptable!

It is critical the BC Government hears from all of you!

And 1000 bikes on the lawn of the legislature will get this government's attention!

My hope is that bike shops, cycling associations and cycling enthusiasts all over BC will help me organize a critical mass at the legislature on Wednesday March 3. Please contact me at lana.popham.mla@leg.bc.ca  or 250 479 4154 or visit the facebook event page.

March 3rd will also be the day that I will present the petition that you have hopefully already signed.  We’re already at more than 1700 signatures! But I would like to increase that tenfold before the rally. Click here to sign the petition (if you haven’t already done so). Please encourage others to do the same.

Thanks,

Lana

Lana Popham, MLA
www.saanichsouth.ca

Petition: Public Comment of the Day

Feb 18, 2010

I ride my bicycle everywhere. Whether it's commuting to and from work, going to the store, or running errands. I've never owned a car, and have no need for one as I live in the city. I borrow a car from a friend if i need to move something big, but I'd be happy if they ditched their cars too. Join a car co - op!

I think it's a horrible idea to increase tax on bicycles... Let's encourage people to take more ACTIVE modes of transport. Cycling is more affordable, has less impact (both on "the environment" and our communities), it requires less infrastructure, it is less dangerous to other people, it is often quicker (especially downtown, or on trips <5km), it improves your health, etc etc.

I think raising taxes on bicycles is a big slap in the face to anyone seeking a more responsible mode of getting around.

Geoffrey V., Vancouver

Comment of the Day

Feb 4, 2010

I am a registered nurse and I ride a bike.....I have several bikes...mountain and road....and I see the results daily of what inactivity does for people....and I also see the benefits of riding a bike.....the joy, the exercise, the effects on the environment....and I cannot believe that the government is adding tax to this most incredible way of exercising and travelling...instead of creating incentives for more of us to get on our two wheels the government is taxing and making it more un-affordable......in my opinion the government is a bunch of hypocrites...they say one thing and do another.

L.R. Saanich, BC

Comment of the Day

January 27, 2010

To Whom It May Concern,

I'm a new transplant to BC, have been here for a year and 3 months now.   For about 10 months now I've been commuting to work daily by bike, riding from my home in Vancouver East to the office in downtown Coal Harbour.   The daily ride has been one of the best things about living here.  I get to enjoy exercise and the scenery; others benefit from my little part to help reduce pollution and traffic injury/deaths.  Wouldn't it be great if more and more residents of BC come to realize that commuting by bike (yes even through the rain!) is fun and beneficial for everyone?  Wouldn't it behoove the government to encourage this behavior through tax incentive?  In my opinion, allowing the HST to apply to bicycles (and bicycle safety equipment) is exactly the opposite of what is needed in an age when reducing energy consumption, green house gas, and people's waistlines are primary concerns for every developed nation.

Respectfully,
Y. Lin, Vancouver

Comment of the Day

Here is one of the public comments made today, January 25/2010, by a signatory of the petition.

I bike. But as a physician I also see the daily result of a population that does not move their bodies as part of their everyday lives. From knee replacements to back surgery, the provincial government pays.

Why on earth would a government that knows the escalating cost of healthcare discourage people from making fitness part of their everyday lives? Through a simple tax break, encourage everyone to get on their brand new funky bike to run one errand a day. There would be enormous payback in our healthcare. Please help decrease the weight and increase the fitness level of the people coming to my operating room.... better yet, prevent the need altogether! Bike. Cheaper. And don't get me started on the environmental impact too.....

Dr. Laura D., Vancouver B.C.
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Update

Thank you for visiting squeakywheels.ca! I created this website to bring together cyclists from across BC who wanted to voice their opposition to the government’s decision to impose a new tax on cycling.

For almost thirty years, bikes (and bike expenses like repairs, helmets and locks) have been PST exempt. Why? Because successfive governments agreed it made no sense to tax such a healthy and environmentally-friendly form of transportation.

This rationale has only become stronger over time as we’ve learned more about the benefits of healthy living and the importance of reducing our carbon emissions. The more we can encourage people to ride bikes rather than drive cars, the better it is for everyone. It means less traffic congestion, less wear and tear on our roads and potentially lower health-care costs.


I wonder if the B.C. government can explain how jacking up the price of a bike is going to help make B.C. more sustainable or encourage people to make healthy lifestyle choices. How does this possibly advance B.C.’s Climate Action Plan?


A government that increases taxes on green transportation is traveling in the wrong direction.


I am of the view that we need to create incentives for green transportation and disincentives for more polluting forms of transportation. Standing up for cyclists as an Opposition MLA is one way that I can help keep the pressure on.


While we were unsuccessful in stopping the government from imposing the HST (on bicycles) we were part of a larger movement that has successfully kept alive the opposition to the HST.


Cyclists continue to argue that tax increases on green transportation options - like cycling - are a mistake. We are calling for provincial policy changes which will create incentives for people to choose greener ways to travel.

I will continue to make these arguments in and outside of the BC Legislature and I welcome your input and support.

Lana Popham
MLA Saanich South
lana.popham.mla@leg.bc.ca
www.saanichsout.ca