Originally Posted by
crtreedude
By giving a tax credit for riding a bike they encourage you to ride a bike it would be assumed. As long as they continue this mode, I see nothing wrong with including cycling as a positive thing to reward.
Now, the issue regarding if you should be punished for somethings in the form of taxes or rewarded for others in the form of credits is another. In truth, what is the difference between paying a fine for breaking the law and paying more tax, except one you can not appeal?
You appeal the tax by either voting to cut it directly or by electing representatives who will cut that tax. And what you may see as "punishment" may be seen by another as simply the government paying it's bills. Even a government has to earn money (do businesses "punish" you by charging more for some products than they do for others?).
As far as the tax credit that goes into effect next month, I like it. Yes, it's small, but you don't conquer the world in a day. And I look at this more as a health issue than an environmental issue. Think of the money we can save by getting Americans off of their couches and onto a bike, even if it is only for two trips a day.