Over the past few days, State Rep. Thomas Walsh has been flooded with calls, emails and messages from disgruntled Granite Staters about a bill he is sponsoring, one that would require every bike — electric or not — to be registered with the state for $50.
Walsh addressed a room full of residents at his bill’s legislative hearing Tuesday, clarifying that the language that had been released was only a first draft.
He said that even he found issues with the bill and said it would need to go through many revisions.
“If you’re all expecting me to jump up and down and defend the way this bill is currently written, I’m sorry to disappoint all of you,” said Walsh, a Republican representing Hooksett and Dunbarton. “I will take responsibility for the confusion of the intent.”
As it currently stands, House Bill 1703 would create a statewide registration system for all bicycles and e-bikes used on public roads and trails. It’s a move tied to efforts to help alleviate the state’s $400 million funding gap in its 10-year highway plan.
Walsh said that he came up with the idea because some of the money for building bike paths comes straight out of the already cash-strapped highway fund, making it tougher to fix roads.
Under his draft, a family with four bikes could end up paying $200 a year.
But Walsh said that wasn’t his plan. He said that the bill was never meant to require registration for children’s bicycles, and that the $50 fee for adults was only a placeholder, not a final figure. He said even adults would not have to pay the fee to ride in the state.
“The bill was simply proposing a reasonable user fee for those who choose this new bicycle infrastructure that we are creating when there is state money involved,” Walsh said. “Very similar to the way we deal with [Off-Highway Recreational Vehicles] and snowmobiles.”
After Walsh clarified the bill’s intent, many people at the legislative hearing shared their concerns about how it could impact the state if it passed.
Tim Blagden, founder of the Concord-Lake Sunapee Rail Trail, pointed out that funding for trails comes from a mix of sources, including corporate donations, volunteers and federal funds, not just the highway fund.
He said the state needs more people riding bikes to help protect green spaces and boost the economy and tourism, but Blagden said Walsh’s bill would actually work against those goals.
“This bill is unbelievably unpopular,” Blagden said. “You really hit a nerve.”
Public opposition to the bill has been massive since the draft was made public. Over 13,800 people have voiced their discontent on the state’s website; only 39 have expressed support.
Many worry that making people register their bikes and display a sticker will keep them off the roads and trails, making it harder for kids to put down their screens and get outside for exercise and fresh air.
Fedelma McKenna, a certified nurse midwife from Concord, rode her bike in freezing temperatures to speak at the hearing about the importance of keeping biking accessible.
“Every bike on the road represents less air pollution for the whole state,” McKenna said, “actually saving money in health and environmental damages in the long run. So, let’s not disincentivize biking.”
With all his bill’s flaws and the opposition it’s faced, Walsh doesn’t feel like it has much of a chance of moving forward in the legislature.
“This was a genuine attempt at fair funding. I still believe that user fees are the best way to do that,” Walsh said. “Personally, because of all these things, I don’t see the bill moving forward either.”