A Penny for Your Thoughts
Jasmine loved playing the cello. It was the most important thing in her life. Last year, though, her friend Makayla introduced her to bicycling. Jasmine became hooked. On weekends, they would go for long bike rides on the country roads in Amish farm country, near Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
One evening, at the dinner table, Jasmine's mom noticed that she was unusually quiet. Wondering what Jasmine was thinking about, her mom asked, "Penny for your thoughts?" Jasmine waited a moment and then said, "I've been thinking about how we can transition our personal transportation from fossil fuels to bicycles. In the past century, our government has spent billions of dollars supporting a car-centered economy. What if we pivoted to spending more on bicycles? We could add a penny per gallon tax to the price of gasoline – and use the money raised to give rebate coupons for people to buy bicycles."
Jasmine continued, "A penny per gallon tax would hardly be noticeable to consumers, but could raise almost $25 billion per year, according to the Congressional Budget Office. You can buy a lot of bicycles with $25 billion per year. To boost bicycle ownership, we might need that gas tax for just three years. What do you think, mom?"
Jasmine's mom considered her daughter's proposal thoughtfully. "That's an interesting idea, Jasmine. There's certainly a lot to be said for bicycling, both in terms of environmental impact and personal health."
Jasmine nodded. "Exactly. Bicycling can make a real difference. For one, it's a much cleaner way to get around. Cars emit a lot of carbon dioxide, which is a major contributor to climate change. But when you ride a bike, you're not adding any pollution to the air. It's one of the simplest ways to reduce your carbon footprint."
Her mom agreed, "That's true. Cars also release other pollutants like nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, which can cause serious health problems. Reducing the number of cars on the road could lead to cleaner air and fewer respiratory issues in our communities."
Jasmine added, "And if more people rode bikes, we wouldn't need as many roads, or at least we wouldn't need to keep expanding them. We could convert some car lanes into bike lanes, making it safer and more convenient for cyclists. Plus, preserving green spaces instead of paving new roads could protect natural habitats."
Her mom said, "And then there's the personal health aspect. Regular biking strengthens the heart, improves lung function, and helps maintain a healthy weight. It could also reduce the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Mentally, it can be beneficial too—physical activity, especially outdoors, has been shown to reduce stress and improve mood."
Jasmine considered this. "Since I started biking with Makayla, I've definitely felt better overall. It's a more affordable way to stay active, too. Bikes don't require expensive fuel or insurance, and maintenance is minimal compared to cars."
Her mom nodded. "And perhaps it could encourage a sense of community. People on bikes are more likely to interact with others, whether it's just a nod of acknowledgment or a brief conversation. It could lead to a more connected, engaged neighborhood."
Jasmine agreed. "In some European cities, biking is just a normal part of life. Maybe with that penny tax and some effort, we could encourage more people here to start biking regularly, whether it's for commuting, errands, or just recreation."
Her mom looked at her, impressed by her daughter's determination. "It could be a step toward a healthier, more sustainable way of life. It's certainly worth exploring further."
Jasmine nodded, her mind already turning over ways to bring the idea to life. "Maybe I could start by discussing it with the school administration. If we could introduce a biking program or even just encourage more students to ride their bikes to school, it could have a ripple effect. If kids get into the habit early, it might influence their families and eventually lead to broader change."
Her mom considered this. "Starting small is often the best approach. If you can show that it's practical and beneficial on a local level, it could be easier to convince others to support a larger initiative, like the penny tax you mentioned."
Jasmine agreed. "It would be a gradual process, but even small shifts in how people think about transportation could make a difference over time. And if nothing else, getting more people on bikes would lead to better health and less pollution, even on a community level."
Her mom gave a thoughtful nod. "It's a practical idea, and it aligns with what we need to be thinking about—how to live more sustainably. It's not just about the environment or health in isolation; it's about creating a future where both can thrive together."
Jasmine sat quietly for a moment, absorbing the conversation. "I think it's worth pursuing. Even if it starts with just a few people, it could grow into something meaningful."
Her mom responded with a quiet agreement, recognizing that Jasmine's idea had the potential to inspire real change, however incremental it might be. Jasmine looked up from her dinner plate. "Tomorrow, I need to head to the public library. That's where good things start."
(This story is donated to the public domain and may be used by any person for any purpose.)
Questions to think about:
1. What current members of Congress would be most likely to introduce legislation for a gas tax to support a bicycle ownership and bicycling infrastructure?
2. How likely would that proposed legislation receive bipartisan support?
3. Has similar legislation been proposed in the past? If so, what was the result? Who opposed such legislation?
4. If Congress were to pass such legislation, would the president sign the bill into law?
"Wisdom begins with wonder." - Socrates
"Learning happens thru gentleness."
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