Cyclists get a break; Government to exempt provincial sales tax

PUBLICATION: The Windsor Star
DATE: 2007.11.22 

SECTION: Body & Health
PAGE: B3 / FRONT
BY: Grace Macaluso 


Cyclists get a break; Government to exempt provincial sales tax on
bicycles and helmets

Bike retailers are rejoicing over the latest Ontario government move to
exempt the provincial sales tax on bicycles and bike helmets.

"Isn't that wonderful," said Rob Renaud, owner of Bicycle World in
South Windsor. "With the exchange rate and local economy, retail has been a
little bit quieter. We're hoping it's going to boost it."

The province has announced it will axe its share of sales tax on
helmets and other safety equipment as well as bikes under $1,000 starting
Dec. 1.

The tax exemption is designed to help the environment and boost
physical activity among Ontario residents, said Bruce Crozier, Liberal MPP for
the riding of Essex.

"That is why the McGuinty government is putting the rubber to the road
by exempting bicycles and bicycle helmets from the PST to encourage
families to take up cycling for fun and fitness, while saving our air from
pollutants."

The move is prompting Jonathan Artiss to put off buying a new bike
until the tax exemption takes effect. "I was looking at purchasing a bike;
I'm going to wait until next month," said the 22-year-old St. Clair
College student as he browsed through Bicycle World. "I think it's pretty
good. It'll help with fuel economy and will get more people riding and
healthy."

Artiss, who rides his bike at least twice a week, says the city could
do its part by increasing the number of bike lanes.

"I do a lot of trail riding," he said. "With more bike lanes, you'd
have fewer cyclists using sidewalks."

Although the tax exemption doesn't apply to bikes costing more than
$1,000, Renaud said it should boost the bulk of his sales which fall in
the $400 to $1,000 price range.

At Courtesy Bicycles on Sandwich Street, manager John Saul said the tax
cut should extend to all bikes. "For someone who's more into the
sport, there's no savings for them."

But he's pleased it will apply to safety equipment. "A good quality
helmet is just as important," he said.

Renaud says customers will splurge on bikes and other accessories, but
skimp on helmets. "We've customers who spend a lot of money on things
other than helmets; they'll come in with $100 running shoes," he says.

 "Hopefully, we can get them into a better quality helmet instead of
products which are certified but simply meet minimum safety standards."