Bike Registration in Vermont
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Middelbury, Vermont
Posts: 1,105
Bikes: Giant Escape 1
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 136 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
2 Posts
Bike Registration in Vermont
Vermont representative Weed of Enosburg has introduced a bill (H46) that would require anyone 16 or older to register their bikes in order to ride on public roads. Does anyone know if any other state requires bike registration? If so, how the does program work?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 4,530
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2112 Post(s)
Liked 663 Times
in
443 Posts
Massachusetts used to require bike registration. The fine for not registering your bike was one dollar. It was repealed in 2008.
(The fine for jawalking is also one dollar, but that hasn't been repealed.)
-mr. bill
(The fine for jawalking is also one dollar, but that hasn't been repealed.)
-mr. bill
#3
genec
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: West Coast
Posts: 27,079
Bikes: custom built, sannino, beachbike, giant trance x2
Mentioned: 86 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13658 Post(s)
Liked 4,532 Times
in
3,158 Posts
If there is registration, it is usually city by city... which is crazy, if one happens to cross a few cities in your day to day rides.
#4
Cycle Year Round
Simply ask your legislators how much money they are willing to spend forcing cyclist to register their bicycles.
Those that have registrations, have found that it cost the government more money than the registration fee brought in. Thus most governments ignore the registration by not enforcing it or they repeal the law.
NJ is one of the most recent legislatures that introduced a bill and the sponsor quickly dropped it with major push back.
Los Angeles ignored their registration for a long time and cyclist could not go to their local police station, as required to register their bicycles. I think LA recently repealed their law.
I believe Long Beach still has a bike registration. Cops used it to confiscate the bicycles of critical mass riders.
.
Those that have registrations, have found that it cost the government more money than the registration fee brought in. Thus most governments ignore the registration by not enforcing it or they repeal the law.
NJ is one of the most recent legislatures that introduced a bill and the sponsor quickly dropped it with major push back.
Los Angeles ignored their registration for a long time and cyclist could not go to their local police station, as required to register their bicycles. I think LA recently repealed their law.
I believe Long Beach still has a bike registration. Cops used it to confiscate the bicycles of critical mass riders.
.
__________________
Land of the Free, Because of the Brave.
Land of the Free, Because of the Brave.
Last edited by CB HI; 01-21-17 at 04:21 PM.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 740
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 359 Post(s)
Liked 85 Times
in
58 Posts
No country in the world has bicycle registration for the purposes of providing a permit to ride on the roads.
Every country that has previously had bicycle registration for this purpose has abandoned it due to the cost and impracticability that such a system brings. Switzerland had it in order to attach a form of insurance for cyclists, but this was abandoned.
Nazi Germany had such a system whch was limited to the Jewish population.
Hawaii and Japan had a system but this was to assist in returning lost and stolen bicycles to their owners.
Various states of Australia has investigated it multiple times over the past few years and at each investigation found that there would be no public benefit, and considerable public cost.
Harare, Zimbabwe is currently trialing it though.
Every country that has previously had bicycle registration for this purpose has abandoned it due to the cost and impracticability that such a system brings. Switzerland had it in order to attach a form of insurance for cyclists, but this was abandoned.
Nazi Germany had such a system whch was limited to the Jewish population.
Hawaii and Japan had a system but this was to assist in returning lost and stolen bicycles to their owners.
Various states of Australia has investigated it multiple times over the past few years and at each investigation found that there would be no public benefit, and considerable public cost.
Harare, Zimbabwe is currently trialing it though.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,706
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5779 Post(s)
Liked 2,576 Times
in
1,427 Posts
This is one of those "bright" ideas that people come up with from time to time. The reality is that it won't ever pass. There's no benefit, and enforcement is too problematic to be worth the effort. Dumb ideas like this are especially problematic in states like Vermont with plenty of bicycle tourism.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,085
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 440 Post(s)
Liked 264 Times
in
162 Posts
If they ever passed something like that were I'm from I would be a pain. I would be calling for every pot holes where I ride, debris on the side of the road or anything else that is detrimental to cycling. If I have to pay then I want something from it also.
#8
Walmart bike rider
City of Charleston has had bike registration for a few years. Mixed results in my opinion. Makes it easier to Charleston police to write a ticket when your bike is parked illegally.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Oahu, HI
Posts: 1,396
Bikes: 89 Paramount OS 84 Fuji Touring Series III New! 2013 Focus Izalco Ergoride
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 285 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 74 Times
in
54 Posts
Hawaii has it (one time registration), mainly enforced by requiring all retail shops to register at time of sale. But this year they started annual registration of mopeds and AFAICT, by the law "e-bikes" are classed as mopeds so in theory also have to get annual registration (mopeds also have to get annual safety inspection too now).
scott s.
.
scott s.
.
#10
Senior Member
In my county, if it is a requirement I haven't heard about it. So, I went and got my bike registered, back in 2007, when I moved back to the county.
When I was living in Duluth(Minnesota;2002-2007), there was no requirement.
When I lived in Brattleboro(Vermont; 1978-80, 82-84). They didn't have a registration program.
When I was living in Duluth(Minnesota;2002-2007), there was no requirement.
When I lived in Brattleboro(Vermont; 1978-80, 82-84). They didn't have a registration program.
Last edited by Chris0516; 01-21-17 at 08:03 PM.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 740
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 359 Post(s)
Liked 85 Times
in
58 Posts
Hawaii has it (one time registration), mainly enforced by requiring all retail shops to register at time of sale. But this year they started annual registration of mopeds and AFAICT, by the law "e-bikes" are classed as mopeds so in theory also have to get annual registration (mopeds also have to get annual safety inspection too now).
scott s.
.
scott s.
.
#12
SE Wis
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,509
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2746 Post(s)
Liked 3,390 Times
in
2,053 Posts
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Posts: 7,048
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 509 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times
in
8 Posts
In fairness, once upon a time there were tens of thousands of bikes on campus and a significant number of them got abandoned at some point in time. The license requirement was so the campus knew which ones they could impound in order to free up needed bike parking spots. Even that wasn't enough, so they would occasionally leave notes on bikes that had valid licenses that stated the bike would be impounded if not moved within a week. After the bikes became scarcer and parking was no longer a problem (in fact the campus has removed most of its bike parking) they chose to leave the license requirement in place. I'm not sure why.
#14
Cycle Year Round
The claim is that it is to return lost/stolen bikes, not really. Few are ever returned. It is a tax more than anything else and the only reason that it takes in more money than it cost, is they force bike shops to register the new bikes, collect the money and then the bike shop has to turn the money over to the county. Already owned bikes have to go down to a city office to register bikes they moved to Hawaii with; mostly hitting up military members with an extra tax.
Cops also use it against the owner for identification if you ever want to complain about them or motorist. Since cyclist do not have to carry ID cards, the registration # is a quick alternate for ID.
__________________
Land of the Free, Because of the Brave.
Land of the Free, Because of the Brave.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 740
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 359 Post(s)
Liked 85 Times
in
58 Posts
Hawaii is a bike registration, not a license. Same with what most here are talking about in this thread, registration not license.
The claim is that it is to return lost/stolen bikes, not really. Few are ever returned. It is a tax more than anything else and the only reason that it takes in more money than it cost, is they force bike shops to register the new bikes, collect the money and then the bike shop has to turn the money over to the county. Already owned bikes have to go down to a city office to register bikes they moved to Hawaii with; mostly hitting up military members with an extra tax.
Cops also use it against the owner for identification if you ever want to complain about them or motorist. Since cyclist do not have to carry ID cards, the registration # is a quick alternate for ID.
The claim is that it is to return lost/stolen bikes, not really. Few are ever returned. It is a tax more than anything else and the only reason that it takes in more money than it cost, is they force bike shops to register the new bikes, collect the money and then the bike shop has to turn the money over to the county. Already owned bikes have to go down to a city office to register bikes they moved to Hawaii with; mostly hitting up military members with an extra tax.
Cops also use it against the owner for identification if you ever want to complain about them or motorist. Since cyclist do not have to carry ID cards, the registration # is a quick alternate for ID.
It registers your bicycle to increase the likelihood of it being returned to you should it be lost or stolen (as opposed to providing you with a permit to use your bicycle on a public road).
In effect though you are saying that this can also be used somehow to fine you?
We dont have that in Australia or anywhere else I am aware of in the world.
I dont get the point of that part TBH. In NSW, $1.5million in cyclist fines were levied in 6 months without any need for a registration/permit/licence.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Rochester MN
Posts: 927
Bikes: Raleigh Port Townsend, Raleigh Tourist
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 36 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times
in
8 Posts
Here in Rochester MN the police have a bicycle registration system. Couple of points.
It is voluntary
It is free
It is done online by the owner
Basically, the cops say they want a database to use in trying to return bikes that have come in to their possession.
It is voluntary
It is free
It is done online by the owner
Basically, the cops say they want a database to use in trying to return bikes that have come in to their possession.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Oahu, HI
Posts: 1,396
Bikes: 89 Paramount OS 84 Fuji Touring Series III New! 2013 Focus Izalco Ergoride
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 285 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 74 Times
in
54 Posts
Yes, that is what I am saying.
It registers your bicycle to increase the likelihood of it being returned to you should it be lost or stolen (as opposed to providing you with a permit to use your bicycle on a public road).
In effect though you are saying that this can also be used somehow to fine you?
We dont have that in Australia or anywhere else I am aware of in the world.
I dont get the point of that part TBH. In NSW, $1.5million in cyclist fines were levied in 6 months without any need for a registration/permit/licence.
It registers your bicycle to increase the likelihood of it being returned to you should it be lost or stolen (as opposed to providing you with a permit to use your bicycle on a public road).
In effect though you are saying that this can also be used somehow to fine you?
We dont have that in Australia or anywhere else I am aware of in the world.
I dont get the point of that part TBH. In NSW, $1.5million in cyclist fines were levied in 6 months without any need for a registration/permit/licence.
scott s.
.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 740
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 359 Post(s)
Liked 85 Times
in
58 Posts
If you are in possession of a bike without registration (evidenced by a sticker on the seat tube) it can be seized. There is a provision for transferring registration on sale. TBH, I don't know if it is legal to sell a bike without registration. You have 10 days after seizure to register your bike and pay a $25 penalty or the police can auction it off.
scott s.
.
scott s.
.
It is a bike, not a lethal weapon.
#19
Senior Member
Do these legislators want more cars on the road? Seizing bicycles will increase drivership, congestion and their associated fatalities and road maintenance.
I thought the US, in general, wanted less government intervention and regulations.
I thought the US, in general, wanted less government intervention and regulations.
#21
Cycle Year Round
If you are in possession of a bike without registration (evidenced by a sticker on the seat tube) it can be seized. There is a provision for transferring registration on sale. TBH, I don't know if it is legal to sell a bike without registration. You have 10 days after seizure to register your bike and pay a $25 penalty or the police can auction it off.
scott s.
.
scott s.
.
When asked if they confiscated cars and trucks that were not registered, his answer was NO.
When asked if they confiscated mopeds that had the very same registration sticker and process, that were not registered, his answer was NO.
He could not answer the "Why not?"
Showed how far out of step all of HPD is with cyclist when the bicycle force does not get it. Most of the bicycle force can barely ride and only use bicycles in parks.
__________________
Land of the Free, Because of the Brave.
Land of the Free, Because of the Brave.
#22
Cycle Year Round
Citizens overall want less government intervention and regulations, politicians overall want more.
Nationally, as of Saturday, USA regulations are dying on a daily basis.
__________________
Land of the Free, Because of the Brave.
Land of the Free, Because of the Brave.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 740
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 359 Post(s)
Liked 85 Times
in
58 Posts
And on top of that, when several cyclist with the Hawaii Bicycle League (HBL) met with the head of the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) bicycle patrol force, he proudly declared how the bicycle force routinely went out to confiscate bicycles that were not registered.
When asked if they confiscated cars and trucks that were not registered, his answer was NO.
When asked if they confiscated mopeds that had the very same registration sticker and process, that were not registered, his answer was NO.
He could not answer the "Why not?"
Showed how far out of step all of HPD is with cyclist when the bicycle force does not get it. Most of the bicycle force can barely ride and only use bicycles in parks.
When asked if they confiscated cars and trucks that were not registered, his answer was NO.
When asked if they confiscated mopeds that had the very same registration sticker and process, that were not registered, his answer was NO.
He could not answer the "Why not?"
Showed how far out of step all of HPD is with cyclist when the bicycle force does not get it. Most of the bicycle force can barely ride and only use bicycles in parks.
Let's say only a couple of days stop over? Before I go riding I need to find a police station and register my bike?
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 3,947
Bikes: Trek 1100 road bike, Roadmaster gravel/commuter/beater mountain bike
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2281 Post(s)
Liked 1,710 Times
in
936 Posts
Bicycle license registration for city of Milwaukee residents is easy and FREE!
1. Visit your nearest library or police station and ask for a bicycle license sticker
1. Visit your nearest library or police station and ask for a bicycle license sticker
Back when I worked in law enforcement my PD offered bike registration which was totally voluntary & free, basically consisted of recording the s/n of the bike in case it was ever stolen, or engraving a number into the bottom bracket if for some reason there wasn't a serial number.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 3,947
Bikes: Trek 1100 road bike, Roadmaster gravel/commuter/beater mountain bike
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2281 Post(s)
Liked 1,710 Times
in
936 Posts
I thought the US, in general, wanted less government intervention and regulations.