Reilich: Pressure Put Brakes On Bike Tax

Assemblyman credits constituent outcry for backpedal on proposed fee

March 3, 2011

Assemblyman Bill Reilich (R,C,I-Greece) today announced that the Assembly sponsor of two bills that would have forced all bicyclists to begin paying for license plates and registration fees has withdrawn his legislation following public outcry against the new “bike tax.” Earlier this week, Assemblyman Reilich called this latest Albany mandate an “unacceptable pick-pocketing effort by lawmakers on the taxpayers of New York.”

The legislation would have forced a $25 license plate fee on all bike owners with a $5 renewal fee to be paid each year. The second measure would have mandated a $50 fee on commercial bicyclists as well as forcing them to purchase liability insurance.

“Thanks to the outcry from the hard-working families of our community and those across the state, as well as the efforts by upstanding lawmakers who found this legislation to be detrimental, the sponsor of this legislation has agreed to withdraw it,” said Reilich.

“I am proud to have stood up for our community and the taxpayers of New York State. As always, I will continue to fight against any legislation that imposes new taxes and fees of any kind.”

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