Commuting - Do you carry ID?

I´m reading The Essential Touring Cyclist by Richard A. Lovett, when it strikes me as a good idea to carry a identification when riding (commuting or touring), never know what happens. I was thinking of a necklace with a plate engraved with name, birth number ((date & number)used in Sweden as identification number), blood group, allergys etc. For short a medical info and personal ID.

What do you think?

Anders K
Sweden

Sounds like a great idea! I make it a point to carry I.D.. But then again, it is actually illegal to so much as walk around in public without identification (in Georgia). My buddy was ticketed for it. And, in the case of an accident requiring hospitalization, I'd rather them focus on fixing my broken parts than spending time trying to figure out who I am. Carry I.D.!

Originally posted by Bikes-N-Drums
But then again, it is actually illegal to so much as walk around in public without identification (in Georgia).


Illegal walking outside without ID? Sounds scary to me:(

Anders K

Here in the UK we are still in the list of the 30 or so remaining countries in the world who do not have ID cards - Long may it remain so.

If someone needs to work out who I am the I have an ID bracelet, credit cards, a diary, name and address in the bike, so several ways to work out who I am.


Oh yes, and unless all else has failed, hopefully they can still ask me.

I carry my license and a credit card for emergencies. I also am going to start wearing a a ID tag on my neck. Hey you never know what's going to happen to you out there. I found a couple of places that sell ID. One is a laser engraved dog tag style and the other is a little magnifier with microfilm ID information. The latter is good for people with medical conditions.


RoadID (http://www.roadid.com/default.asp)

escopes (http://www.escopes.com/promotionalscopes.html#)

I always have my state trail pass in the back pocket of my pannier. Other than that, I don't worry about it much. Sometimes I have my wallet with me, other times not. Depends if I plan to shop much. :D

No kidding, it's illegal not to carry ID in Georgia??? Who passed that ridiculous law?

Originally posted by Bikes-N-Drums
it is actually illegal to so much as walk around in public without identification (in Georgia).

This may be a commonly held belief, but I can assure you that it's not true.

The police can require you to identify yourself if you are stopped for cause -- being observed doing something illegal. And of course if you're driving, trying to buy liquor or cigarettes, etc., proof of licensing or age are required.

But there is no law anywhere in the US that requires a citizen to carry ID papers. And just recently, during the debate over the "national ID card," the Bush administration made it clear that they don't favor one.

RichC

Well, I must admit, the ticketing was precipitated by a suspicion of a crime. This was also Dukes-Of-Hazzard-land with Buford T. Justice in charge. We weren't about to debate with these boys as we were thankful they didn't try to pin this crime on us.

A police officer once tried to make me feel guilty for not carrying any ID. He said, "What if you get hit by a car and have to go to the emergency room?" To which I replied, "They can't send me a bill if they don't know who I am."

Originally posted by Rich Clark


But there is no law anywhere in the US that requires a citizen to carry ID papers. And just recently, during the debate over the "national ID card," the Bush administration made it clear that they don't favor one.

RichC

Therfore, there is in effect, a national American I.D. card, it's called the driving licence.

What percentage of free adult Americans do not hold a Driving Licence ? I would hazard a guess that it's a low single figure percentage.

Here in the UK I believe the figure is somewhere well under 50% of free adults have a valid driving licence, which for the majority do not contain a photo, therefore are of little use as proof of ID

The nearest thing we have to an ID, is the Passport, but again living on an island and the fact they are only valid for 10 years means only about 60% of the free adult population at any given time would have one

Originally posted by Brains
Therfore, there is in effect, a national American I.D. card, it's called the driving licence.

The driver's license is not required, though most people over the age of 16 have one. It is not issued by the federal government but by the individual states. So it isn't really a national ID.

I always carry my wallet when cycling. I carry it in my camelbak, or slip it into a zip-lock bag in my jersey pocket. That way I have ID, my insurance card and a couple of dollars for Gatorade and Fig Newtons.

I have a set of "dog tags". These are small oval steel discs with my name, address, phone number, and blood type stamped on them. I wear them on a chain around my neck. I bought these at an Army Surplus store for less than $10.

I don't really like wearing them, but my wife insists that when I run or bike, I have these on so that she will be notified when I am run down by a large SUV or torn apart by wild dogs.

I don't always have my wallet with me (I don't right now), so I guess I don't have "official" ID. I probably would not be issued a ticket, but I have no doubt that I would be hassled by the police if stopped. If you can't produce ID, then you are stereotyped as a criminal.

regards
Dan

I always stuff my old driver's license in my pocket when I go out for a ride. The info is still valid, and in the likely possibility that I lose it, I still have my current license to get me into the bars after the ride. The only problem is that the photo is from when I was 17, so I don't really look like me. Of course, if someone needs to contact my next of kin because of a nasty wipe out, I probably won't look much like me anyway.

I also carry my cell phone in case of emergencies, so if someone were clever, they could probably find the "Call Home" listing in my phone book. If they didn't just steal the phone first, that is.

I always carry I.D. when I ride, I bring my Drivers Licence with me and a few bucks, in case I pass a bar and want a beer:) but in case of an accident it is really helpful. :beer:

I heard a tip from someone that makes sense to me. I just photocopied my Drivers License, insurance card, and social security card folded it up and stuck it in a ziplock baggie, along with a few bucks, so it will still be legible if I wind up unconcious in the rain.
Personally I don't like having to carry it with me. Once I got stopped by a cop for running a stop sign on an empty road, and he threated to give me a ticket for running the sign and having no ID with me. I told him since I wasn't driving, I didn't think I needed it with me. He told me some bull about there being a law in MI that you always need your ID with you. So I told I'm in law school (I've never been) and have never heard/read/seen such a law. He didn't have a retort and let me off with warning. Pig.
BTW - how many of you have had a run in with the law while on your bike?

Always have my wallet with me, but no more ID than donor card and credit cards.

Originally posted by lin_kieu

BTW - how many of you have had a run in with the law while on your bike?

That´s a good thread, and may I add the question why?

Anders K

When I signed up for the Keystone ride in PA they sent me a medical ID for my helmet. It's a really good idea and I think that it only costs about $3.

You can get info here - http://www.meds.org/

I should have said that it's a little sticker on the outside of the helmet and a small plastic envelope that's stuck on the inside of the helmet. Inside the envelope is a piece of paper with all important info on it.

Works great and doesn't take up much room.

I hope I'm never involved in an accident, but just in case, I made my own ID label showing my name, address, and phone number and taped it inside my helmet.

The following looks like a good product. I might get one of these in case some moron rips off my helmet, panniers, etc. before the authorities arrive. ( http://www.roadid.com/ )
http://www.roadid.com/default_files/products8.gif

Actually, I think we do have a National Citizen ID. It is our Social Security Number. The Social Security administration says that we should not give this number to anyone but the IRS, the Social Security system, Law enforcement, your employer, and your bank. But this number is your fishing lic number, pilot number, your student ID number, your military ID number, your health insurance number and your hospital admission number. It is the security number for your credit card company, the phone company and many others. Everyone uses it as an ID because everyone has a unique one. And now they are now issuing them at birth. How convenient. Isn't it curious that all these people are interested in your RETIREMENT ACCOUNT? If some people in government have their way, this is the number that we will have encoded in the scanner readable, under-skin pellet, or tatooed on our wrist.

I plan on getting a set of tags from these guys. One with my info Name, DL#, (NOT SSN) blood type yadda yadda. And the other with my emergency contact info. ID Tags (http://www.poundmaster.com/)

I have always wondered. There is no law requring a license to ride a bike, yet cyclists can be ticketed. It has happened. Does that make sense? What if you were ticketed as a cyclist and did not have a drivers license..?

I carry an expired car registration in my seat bag. The photocopy of the driver's license is a good idea, too.

I always carry my driver's license with me.

When i started biking at 8 my dad had made up a Id tag with all my info that would clip to lace of a shoe. Ever sence i have had 3 made up. One got lost and the other 2 are on my 2 pair of biking shoes

http://www.networkusa.org/fingerprint/page2/fp-02-page2-documents.html



Social Security Numbers, Fingerprinting, Databases,
and Government Tracking
Laws, Cases, Supporting Documents
Issues of National Interest


Federal Laws and Related Documents
U.S. Code and Federal Legislation
Public Law 104-208: "Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996" -- Includes establishment of National ID Card through the standardization of state issued driver's licenses. Also, "Employment Eligibility and Confirmation" Pilot Program.

Excerpt from the Congressional Record Oposing the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Responsibility Act - Senate - September 27, 1996.
Restrictions Against Employment - Employment Eligibility Confirmation System and Counterfeit-resistant Social Security Cards
SSA Announces "Employment Eligibility" Pilot Program
New Social Security Cards could cost $10 Billion
Public Law 104-193: "The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996" -- National "location and tracking" database is implemented under U.S. law. "New Hires Database" and "Dead-Beat Dad" laws linked to SSN.
Locating and Tracking Databases - Selected sections of the above Act including the New Hires Directory, Counterfeit-resistent Social Security Cards, Asset Reporting, and License Suspension requirements.
666 - "The System" - Title 42 U.S.C. sec. 666. The "Dead-Beat Dad" law.


NEW - "The Balanced Budget Act of 1997" Greatly Expanded P.L. 104-193. Congress waited just one year then, by deleting just ONE WORD from 104-193, they expanded the SSN requirement for driver's licenses by more than 170 million.



Title 42 U. S. Code sec. 405 - Public Health and Welfare - Social Security. The section of code that establishes the limited classes of individuals who may be assigned a social security number - "Aliens and Benefit Recepients".
The Privacy Act of 1974: Regulates the use of Social Security Numbers by state agencies. Imposes strict requirements and prohibitions on governmental use.

U.S. Department of Transportation
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)



The Highway Safety Desk Book - Brief Version. DOT describes the new uses that can be made of ditial photographs using new digital photo technology - without the licensees knowledge! A virtual database of "mug shots" of all drivers.



Drug Testing for Driver's License. Coming to a Town Near You via Federal Grants - "Discretionary Planning Grants To Support the Demonstration and Evaluation of Pre-Driver Licensure Drug Testing Programs".

Social Security Administration
Agency Publications

When Someone Misuses Your Social Security Number - How to Protect Your SSN.
Social Security - Your Number - "You Should Not Use Your Social Security Card as an Identification Card".

General Accounting Office
Congressional Report
"Government and Commercial Use of the Social Security Number Is Widespread" - Published 2/16/99.

Court Decisions

States Rights Issues -

United States Supreme Court Rulings:
Sheriffs Jay Printz and Richard Mack v. the United States. -- Sherrifs Richard Mack and Jay Printz prevail in opposition to being conscripted into federal service under the Brady laws.
New York v. United States. Cited in the Printz case.
United States v. Lopez. Also reverenced in Printz.
Alabama Supreme Court:
Clark v. The Port of Mobile. (excerpt only) This is an Alabama case but it reflects a very important universal constitutional principle.
Objections to use of Social Security Numbers -
SSN Cases - Important Rulings from various courts:
Callahan v. Woods 1981 religious objection to requirement that a minor must obtain a social security number to receive federal benefits.
Callahan v. Woods 1984 again Callahan objected to a requirement that he get a social security number for his minor daughter.
Yeager v. Hackensack 1985 case based on constitutional and Privacy Act objections to a New Jersy independent water company requirement for SSN.
Leahy v. District of Columbia 1987 religious objection to the required use of social security number.
Greidinger v. Davis 1993 objection to requirement to divulge a SSN as a condition to vote.
State of Alabama Documents
Letter from our Fingerprint Coalition Attorney - Lowell Becraft - raises importnt issues regarding social security number use.
Miscellaneous Documents
Presidential Directive: - Electronic Commerce.


Back to our Fight the Fingerprint Home Page

Originally posted by cyclezealot
I have always wondered. There is no law requring a license to ride a bike, yet cyclists can be ticketed. It has happened. Does that make sense? What if you were ticketed as a cyclist and did not have a drivers license..?

I have been ticketed on a bike the cops asked and used my S.S.# for proof of I.D. To answer the main question, NO I do not carry my "paper's."

Yep. I carry my wallet and wear a medic alert necklace.

Carl

I always carry my license and my health insurance cards. I don't want them to start donating my organs while I'm still alive, because they don't think I'm insured. Eak!

If I don't have my wallet with me, I usually put a piece of paper in my pack that has my name, address and phone number. I also always carry a cell phone.

Originally posted by LightBoy
I also carry my cell phone in case of emergencies, so if someone were clever, they could probably find the "Call Home" listing in my phone book. If they didn't just steal the phone first, that is.

Oh yeah, I love doing this with drunk people who can't answer questions.

In my saddle bag I carry a copy of my insurance card and one of my business cards. On the back I've written my wife's and parents' phone numbers, my blood type, the fact that I wear contacts, and a signed statement that I'm an organ donor.

I'm a worst-case scenario kinda guy. I figure that if a cellphone-yakking Navigator driver takes me out, I don't want my usable parts going to waste while I'm arguing with St. Pete.;)

I wear a road ID called the ankle. check it out WWW.roadid.com, I started wearing it as an example for my daughter who is a runner. I want her to wear ID when running, so I wear it and she wears hers. I purchased them from the above on line sales. They are comfortable and are worn in plain sight on your ankle.

Originally posted by mrfix
WWW.roadid.com,

I tried to check the link, but it didn´t work:(

Anders K

OK, I see... You´ve made a comma in the end of the link.

Anders K

I ordered the ankle style ID from www.roadid.com
http://www.roadid.com/default_files/products8.gif
It came in the mail on Monday.
I wear it when I'm riding my road bike (previously no ID other than the information inside my helmet).
I also wear it when on my commuter even though I have the same information inside my commuter helmet and have my wallet (with driver's license, credit cards, health insurance card, etc.) in my panniers.

I don't have emergency contact information in my wallet and the information in my helmet just shows my home phone. If I have an accident during the day (like on my way to work) no one is home to answer the phone. :( So I have daytime and nightime contact information on the RoadID ankle wrap.

You never know. :eek: