January 27, 2010

Protest HST on bicycles

My colleague Lana Popham, the MLA Saanich South has created a new website, http://www.squeakywheels.ca/!

On Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 at 12:00pm! Lana is inviting cyclists to fill the Legislature grounds in Victoria to show the BC government there will be a political price to pay if they ram through this HST which puts a new tax on cycling.

The next session of the BC Legislature will begin the 1st week of March. We 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 Government has got its head in the sand. Cycling is a sustainable transportation choice and should be encouraged, not punished with new taxes.

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

It is critical that the BC Government hear from all of you!

And 1000 bikes on the lawn of the legislature will get their 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 March 3. Please contact Lana at saanichsouth@gmail.com or 250 479 4154 or visit the facebook event page.

March 3rd will also be the day that Lana will present the petition that she hopes you will sign.  We’re already at more than 1700 signatures! But she would like to increase that tenfold before the rally. Please encourage others to do the same.

Thanks.