A Chicago alderwoman said bicycle owners should start paying $25 for the privilege of riding their bikes through the city, and to help cover the costs of construction and upkeep for protected bike lanes.
Pat Dowell also said all bike riders should have to take a safety class as a condition of obtaining their bicycle “license,” The Associated Press reported.
Ms. Dowell estimated her license fee could raise about $10 million from the 400,000 city cyclists. But the proposal comes on the heels of a promise from Mayor Rahm Emanuel to make Chicago the most bicycle-friendly city in the entire nation, AP reported.
Bicycle groups are unsure how to react.
The executive director of the Active Transportation Alliance said enforcement of the license fee and class might prove a problem, and the ongoing oversight might prove too costly.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.