This discussion is happening in Metro Vancouver right now about taxing and licensing cyclists. Looks like some good arguments in there for when the issues come up here in Winnipeg. David Wieser
http://disqus.com/people/davidallan/#main davidallanin Burnaby NewsLeader - COLUMN: It’s time to end the free ride for cyclistshttp://www.bclocalnews.com/greater_vancouver/burnabynewsleader/opinion/COLUMN_Its_time_to_end_the_free_ride_for_cyclists.html on Burnaby Newsleader http://burnabynewsleader.disqus.com/
"It's time to end the free ride for motorists. As a car-free person and cyclist by choice, I am constantly being forced to subsidize a motoring lifestyle that is rapidly destroying the public environment for private benefit, which in turn serves to destroy my own, and my neighbours' health and well-being. Whenever I see "free" parking, I pay for that. Every time I see an obese smoker idling in traffic inside a ton of useless metal, with three empty seats beside her, I think, 'there is my tax dollars subsidising an unhealthy lifestyle enabled by motoring,' and I will pay for that for years to come. Your auto insurance subsidy, your gasoline subsidy, your parking subsidy, the brown haze of pollution, I pay for that. Police services that assumes I am at fault in any collision, and that laughed in my face when I asked about the liklihood of my stolen bike being returned, I pay for that. yet I see a large publically funded bait-car campaign with a great deal of advertising. I pay for that. Without any public consultation, the federal goverenmnet has seen fit to buy 12% of a fqiled foreign car company, and will guarantee warranties on poorly built products. I pay for that.
Cyclists are not some strange invasive species. They are your friends and neighbours, your doctor and your postman; they are homeowners, business owners and sometimes motorists and yes, they are already taxpayers, just like you. Unlike many self-serving lobby groups, the future that cyclists desire is a benefit to everyone--clean air, a clean and healthy food and water supply, communities and streets that are safe for all users. Instead of attacking bicycle riders, you should be thanking them for trying to bring a healthier and more livable future to the Lower Mainland." And another reply to the news article suggesting that pedestrians should be taxed and licensed as well since they are using sidewalks / roadways as well.