AUGUSTA — Maine lawmakers are considering a bill that would add a 2 percent surcharge on retail bicycle sales to fund the construction of bikeways.

The Department of Transportation is holding a hearing Tuesday on the bill that would establish a “bikeway construction fund.”

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Ralph Sarty of Denmark, says the money must be used to construct, improve and maintain bikeways in Maine.

The Bicycle Coalition of Maine says a new tax would hurt bike shops and give Mainers added reason to buy their bicycles out of state or over the Internet. Executive Director Nancy Grant says bicycle owners already pay local and state taxes that go toward road improvements and that bicycles do minimal damage to roads compared to cars and trucks.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.