Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Bicycling

Freakonomics Ponders the Freeloading Cyclist

294841_0dbb37e404.jpgWho's next? Photo: wodaking/Flickr

The Times' Freakonomics blog has picked up on proposed legislation from Wayne Krieger, an Oregon representative who wants every bike owner in the state aged 18 and older to pay a $54 registration fee every two years. "[B]ikes have used the roads in this state forever and have never
contributed a penny," says Krieger. "The only people that pay into the system are those
people who buy motor vehicle licenses and registration fees."

As one might suspect, asking Krieger to further explain the rationale for his bill, as Bike Portland did, reveals his motives to be rooted as much in suspicion of cyclists in general as in any desire for bike riders to pay their "fair share." Sample quote: "If a person is operating a bike and they are the one that causes an
accident, do they have insurance to cover your costs and medical
expenses? Not all of those people have any type of insurance at all."

The Freakonomics guys, in the link below, point to a study showing "the improved fitness the use of non-motorized transport provides," even as they ask:

Considering the enormous benefitsof investments in bicycle infrastructure, can even a tax-hatingbicyclist concede his point, at a registration cost of just over 7cents a day?

So cycling should be taxed because it makes people healthier? Freakonomics, indeed.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Monday’s Headlines: ‘We Speak English in America’ Edition

Read that talk bubble. That's really what the cop said to a man under arrest. Plus other news from a busy weekend.

May 12, 2025

Cyclist Launches Class Action Suit For Bogus NYPD Red Light Tickets

The NYPD keeps ignoring a law that allows cyclists to pass through a red light on the "Walk" sign. Now, someone is making a federal case about it.

May 12, 2025

Decision 2025: Mayoral Hopefuls Discuss the Death of Outdoor Dining

We asked, will you commit to expanding both Open Streets and outdoor dining in the roadway. And here's what they said...

Car Harms Monday: ‘Car Brain’ is the Demon Spawn of Car Dependency

Our policies, our budgets and our cultural narratives assume everyone can and does drive. That's car brain.

May 12, 2025

Zohran Mamdani Wants to Take a Free Bus … Straight to Gracie Mansion

So let's talk about the candidate's fare-free bus policy.

May 12, 2025
See all posts