Pamela Alch’s Feb. 14 letter suggesting bicycles be taxed like motor vehicles is not well-thought-out. Most bicyclists own cars and pay taxes. When they choose to ride their bicycles, they are not in their cars; with no air pollution, no wear and tear on the roads, less traffic congestion, better public health, etc. If we were to follow Alch’s logic, we should also tax people’s feet (sidewalk maintenance and construction) and dogs (same plus cleanup fees). Are we really going to tell schoolchildren, “Sorry, you can’t ride your bike, you haven’t paid the tax?”

We do not need a tax to discourage bicycle use; we should be encouraging it. Maybe a tax break? Think about it.