SNP Slammed Over "Absurd and Inappropriate" Bike Tax
Sun., September 13, 2009. 11:21.
The Green MSPs today condemned Scottish Ministers for considering a new tax on cyclists, a proposal set out in a consultation ironically subtitled: "More People Cycling More Often". (1)
Patrick Harvie MSP said:
"SNP Ministers have a 'four wheels good, two wheels bad' attitude to transport, wasting enormous amounts of taxpayers' money on motorway schemes while threatening cyclists with new taxes. They need to get out of their Ministerial cars a bit more often and start turning their transport priorities around. As things stand, there's no chance of them meeting the climate pollution targets Parliament set just a few months ago.
"Walking and cycling are not only greener ways to get around, they're also amongst the best ways to boost health and fitness. Cyclists already have to pay through their Council Tax for the damage which others cause to Scotland's local roads, so Ministers should drop this proposal and instead put more effort into supporting cycling and investing in safer cycle routes.
"Landing cyclists with another tax is the most absurd and inappropriate transport proposal yet from this Government, and that's saying something. One thing's for sure - if the SNP actually try to impose this absurd tax then the non-payment campaign will be immediate and unstoppable."
Notes
1. Question 10 on Page 42 of the Scottish Government's Cycling Action Plan for Scotland reads: "Should all road users pay road tax? If so, how much should it be for cyclists and how could it be enforced?"
The Action Plan is available here: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/273788/0081826.pdf
Contact the Scottish Greens' press team on 07909 933 074.