Impeach to Impose Bicycle Tax
by Arakawa City

An article of newspaper titled "new tax on buying bicycle" ("Yomiuri-shimbun" 2000.12.1)
Persons parking bicycles are defused. It means that newspaper regards them as like criminals.
The photo is wrongly explained as "'hochi-jitensha' occupying road".

December 1st some newspaper and TV news reported that Arakawa City in Tokyo Metropolitan prefecture intended to impose new tax on bicycle bought in the city 1000 yen (about 10 dollars) per a bicycle, and to spread the new tax into other cities of Tokyo Metropolis. They also reported that some citizens in Arakawa City opposed from the viewpoint of need to consolidate parking in advance and for fear of reduction of selling bicycles.

This is not the problem to be discussed in such a level only.

As a premise, we have to certify the definition of  "hochi-jitensha". it is need for us to make a constructive discussion.
.
Needless to say many bicycles where many people passed are the result of act match with the purpose of rider's transport. they are not equal to the mean of "hochi" (left behind). In fact the word "hochi-jitensha" means bicycle parked where local law bans to park. Local law itself is made by local diet. But the area of application is designed through administrative procedure without local diet. So "hochi-jitensha" is a political notion depend on local officials. It is different from the bicycle left behind as it is. And "hochi-jitensha" as political notion is to be object to counter measuring.

So expenditure is made proper, and bring concession. And concession is made bigger. It is made expensive to construct, maintain and management for counter measuring. It also bring occupation for retired or fired public servants. Through the process there are no view or possibility to extinct "hochi-jitensha" to be object to counter measuring. This is the destination of tax we paid.

On the other hand I do not intend to deny that "hochi-jitensha" defuses other's passage. But we have to investigate to such a case whether well grounded or not, and from wrong impression and affection or not.

I will point out how heavy the tax is. Buying a bicycle in Japan we have to pay the registration fee (500 yen) and consumption tax (5 percent of the price) in addition to itself. Added to new bicycle tax, what situation will be made?

So the cheaper the price is, the heavier the tax rate is. It is a regressive tax. Most of bicycles bought in Japan are priced less than 30,000 yen (about $300) , and will be imposed tax more than 10 percent. Cheaper one, priced 10000 yen, will be imposed more than 20 percent. That is neglect and abuse to our livelihood, especially to the weaker and the poor. It is to be blamed for local government to make such a mean to exploit from people as abuse of the right to impose tax and to intend to spread it.

We have to investigate necessity of duty to have been imposed.

For example, generally in Europe and America bicycle parking nearby station and public institution is free fee. Bus has a rack for bicycle. Going to long distance many people use it without additional fee. In some cities carrying into the train including subway is allowed. I never heard that people imposed special duty for such a social condition.

Besides growing sense of crisis to make earth warmer, it is common sense that made possible that the city kind to bicycle is also kind to many people included the weaker.

PS;

December 12, TV news reported that FUJIEDA Kazuhiro mayor of Arakawa City said in the local diet to abandon imposing bicycle tax. It was because of opposition by the local diet and citizen need to consolidate parking in advance and for fear of reduction of selling bicycles. So we must not forget that the abandon  is not stand by the side of bicycles and riders, they are neglected, and there is possibility to make policies to neglect or abuse bicycles by some local governments. We have a theme to defend and establish position of bicycles and riders.

(Dec.1.2000. added Dec.6 & 12.2000)