Oregon Becomes the First State in America to Issue a Bike Sales Tax

The tax is expected to raise $1.2 million

Everybody's Bike Rentals (Joel Shupack)
By Sophia June

Oregon has become the first state to initiate a bike excise tax.

As reported by Bike Portland, House Bill 2017, a major transportation bill, passed the Senate today. It will next go to Governor Kate Brown for signing.

The bill places a $15 tax on new bikes that cost $200 of more. The bill was opposed by small business owners and biking advocates.

BikePortland editor Jonathan Maus shared his thoughts in a blog post today:

He continues:

The tax is expected to raise $1.2 million per year and cost $100,000 to administer, which is set to go to ConnectOregon, and set aside specifically to "for the purposes of grants for bicycle and pedestrian transportation projects. This includes "bicycle trails, footpaths and multi-use trails."

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