Car Subsidy
Hi
I just read this link crikey.com.au and found it interesting. I wonder how much cycles are subsidised if you do the analysis in the same way.
Hmm
Simon
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mike Brisco on -
Most salary packaging allows you to salary package your car - but never your bike.
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Permalink Reply by Don (Who's lost?) Nairn on -
Does this suggest that for every Km travelled by car, train or bus that society is 37 to 38 cents worse off?
If I could get paid half that for every Km I rode I could make money from my bike.
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Permalink Reply by heather on -
It would be interesting to have detailed figures from The Netherlands where many cycle. The cyclists could be saving the Dutch government a lot of money.
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Permalink Reply by Ken the Dane on -
Don't know about The Netherlands, but for Denmark the setup is like this (in broad terms):
Public transport is heavily subsidised (and works although everyone whinges - it's a bit like the weather). It is light years ahead of Australia
Cars cost double of what the cost in Australia (due to 180% import tax). Luxury cars are even more (relative) exensive. Petrol is double the cost (due to environmental levies, co2 tax etc.) (this is despite being an oil producting country!). Company owned cars cost less due to reduced import tax, have different registration plate to tell them apart, and can only be used for work purposes (get caught in them on a weekend or private purpose and you are in big trouble - payment of 180% import tax + fine). There are no favourisation of users of company cars - company is taxed, employee is taxed (it is considered a necessary evil - not a perk).
Bikes are not subsidises (although there has been some talk of it). Instead road infrastructure is designed more and more for these. Most employers (of reasonable size) offer shower facilities at work. Locked bike park is not so much of any issue since there are bikes everywhere so individual bikes never stand out of a target for thiefs (bear in mind there is still a lot of theft and also people don't ride carbon bike but just plain city bikes)
So in short the picture is: subsidise public transport, tax cars/petrol, promote good infrastructure for bikes.
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