Where does it end? Apparently in a desperate move to make up for all the revenue the majority party has bent over backward to repeal, three Republicans have come up with this brainchild! HB 1703 “establishes a required annual registration fee for all bicycles and electric bicycles operating on state or municipally funded paths, trails and roadways which bicycles and electric bicycles are permitted to be ridden on. The bill also establishes a penalty for failure to register and directs funds from said fees and penalties to the commissioner of the department of transportation for the creation and maintenance of bicycle routes, lanes, paths, or trails in the state.”
The fee will be an annual $50 and because the Republicans do love themselves some penalties, the violation fee will be $100. And if you think your minor child’s bike will be exempt, think again: “The application of any person under the age of 18 years to register a bicycle or electric bicycle shall be signed by said person's parent or guardian, or in the event there is no parent or guardian, then by another responsible adult.”
On Tues., Jan. 27th at 11:00 the Transportation Committee will be holding a public hearing on this crazy bill. You know what to do:
Online testimony click here. Fill in your name, the date of the hearing, the committee, the bill number (HB 1703), and then just follow the prompts. If you would like to leave some written testimony here are some suggestions from Bike Walk Alliance of New Hampshire who strongly opposes this:
- The bill would cost a family of four with four bikes $200 per year. That would make parents think twice about buying a bike for their kids.
- The registration fee and penalties would have the unintended and unfortunate consequence of discouraging bicycling, which has significant public health benefits, improves quality of life and brings tourism revenue to NH.
- The bill would make NH a much less bike-friendly state, which would be disastrous for our tourism economy.
- It would make life even more difficult for those whose only mode of personal transportation is a bike, particularly the economically disadvantaged.
- The cost of implementing the registration program would be significant, maybe greater than the amount of revenue generated. The fiscal note sheds little light on the fiscal impact of the bill, stating that the revenues can’t be determined.
As of right now, 4,809 people oppose this crazy bill with only 14 supporting it!