Two draft resolutions - one from independent MP Joacine Katar Moreira and another from the PS - were passed this Thursday, approved in generality in the Assembly of the Republic, recommending that the Government strengthen incentives for the purchase of bicycles for urban travel through the Environmental Fund.
The draft resolution 1340/XIV/2presented by Joacine Katar Moreira, asks for a "strengthening incentives for the acquisition of bicycles with or without electric assistance for urban and suburban travel". It was approved in general terms by all parties, with the Liberal Initiative voting against and the PCP and Chega abstaining. The draft resolution 1402/XIV/2presented by PS deputies and that "recommends that the government strengthen incentives for active cycling mobility under the Environmental Fund"The vote was approved by the party and the remaining benches, with the exception of the Liberal Initiative and the PCP who voted against and Chega who abstained. Details of the votes can be seen at here.
Increase the number of incentives
Joacine Katar Moreira's text was the first to reach the Assembly of the Republic, on June 15th; the PS's draft resolution was only presented on July 8th. Before their approval in generality, both initiatives had been discussed, early last week, in the so-called Environment, Energy and Spatial Planning Commission. The proposals will now return to this committee, to be dealt with again in the specifics, and details will be worked out before a final vote.
Both Joacine and the PS are asking the Government to strengthen incentives for the purchase of bicycles with or without electric assistance through the Environmental Fund. Support launched in the first quarter of 2021 are already sold out, as can be seen on the Environmental Fund's website e as MUBi warned in May. O Government subsidized in 50% of the value, up to a fixed maximum, the purchase of conventional electric and non-electric bicyclesThere are currently only 180 incentives available for this type of vehicle (more specifically, 180 "slots").
PS writes that, "with a view to pursuing the objectives National Strategy for Active Cycling Mobility 2030 and its contribution to improving the quality of
air, noise and traffic reduction and decarbonization, it is important to continue promoting cycling mobility".. Joacine Katar Moreira agrees and goes further: suggests that the number of incentives for non-electric conventional bicycles be increased from 500 to 4500, and proposes that the number of incentives for electrics be doubled (there are currently 1857 vacancies in this category, which also includes electric motorcycles and mopeds, although priority in applications is given to bicycles).
Lowering VAT and encouraging use
Independent MP Joacine Katar Moreira, elected for the Livre party but who later diverged from Rui Tavares' party, also presented a proposal that the government "study the possibility of apply the reduced VAT rate (6%) to all bicycles, conventional or electric, city, trekking, or equivalent, suitable for commuting or touring, starting in 2022including accessories for transporting children or their trailers".. Currently, the bicycle VAT is 23%.
Joacine further recommends incentives for municipalities to redistribute urban space "more equitablyby favoring soft transport modes and increasing spaces for exclusive use by pedestrians and cyclists".; and that if "evaluate the implementation of specific support for commuting by bicycleThis could contribute to the effective substitution of the car for the bicycle in these daily travels".says.
Through her Twitter account, the congresswoman contextualized the proposals, stating that "bike paths are not enough" - "Bicycling needs to be encouraged, and to do that there needs to be incentives to purchase them, so that bike lanes are not just for a few people. Smooth mobility helps the health of the planet and individual health."wrote in a sequence of tweets after the approval in the specialty.
