Only in America: Don't breathe!

A Washington lawmaker claims bicyclists' exhalations are bad for the environment — and more in our collection of strange revelations about the nation

Don't breathe!
(Image credit: ThinkStock/Digital Vision)

A proposed bicycle tax in Washington is a good idea, claimed Washington state Republican Ed Orcutt, because the two-wheeled vehicles wind up emitting more carbon dioxide than cars due to riders' "increased heart rate and respiration." You end up "giving off more CO2 if you are riding a bike than driving in a car," Orcutt said. "You can't just say that there's no pollution as a result of riding a bicycle." Orcutt, who conceded he had not "done any analysis" on his claim, later backed down, calling his statement "over the top."

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Samantha Rollins

Samantha Rollins is TheWeek.com's news editor. She has previously worked for The New York Times and TIME and is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.