November 9, 2007 (Toronto, Ont.) – The Ontario government is helping families get more active with a retail sales tax exemption for bikes and bike helmets, Premier Dalton McGuinty said today.

“We want to encourage more Ontarians “” young and young-at-heart “” to get outdoors, spend time riding bikes as a family and with friends, or to try riding to work if possible, leaving the car at home,” said Premier McGuinty. “Together, we’re building a culture of health and well-being across Ontario by encouraging more families to embrace active living.”

Starting on December 1, 2007, the Ontario government will exempt bike helmets and other safety equipment from retail sales tax (RST). Bikes costing $1,000 or less will also be exempted.

“Increasing the affordability of quality bikes for children, youth and those considering cycle commuting sets the stage for a lifetime of cycling,” said Pete Lilly, President of the Bicycle Trade Association of Canada and owner of Sweet Pete’s Bike Shop.

“As an independent bicycle retailer, I am most interested in getting more people to ride bikes more often “” it’s not only good for my business but benefits us all through cleaner air and a fitter Ontario.”

Providing a point-of-sale exemption for bicycles and bicycle helmets from the RST is just one of the ways the McGuinty government is helping Ontarians stay healthy. Other initiatives include:

– Requiring 20 minutes of daily physical activity and banning the sale of junk food in schools
– Giving every Ontarian the right to be free from second-hand smoke with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, which bans smoking in public spaces and workplaces
– Protecting the Greenbelt, 1.8 million acres of greenspace
– Creating the Ontario Trails Strategy to develop a world-class system of diversified recreational trails
– Retail Sales Tax exemption for nicotine replacement therapies.

“I hope today’s announcement will mean a few more families can afford to ride together,” McGuinty said. And I hope a few more Ontarians will decide to try commuting by bike instead of by car.”