Bicycle Registrations- Worst Idea Ever?
07-29-14, 01:15 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Florida
Posts: 6
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Bicycle Registrations- Worst Idea Ever?
So the newspaper ran this article today. The city is discussing requiring residents to register their bicycle with the city. What does everyone think of this? Personally I think there is no reason to require this other than to collect more money from the residents.
07-29-14, 07:18 PM
#2
Membership Not Required
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: On the road-USA
Posts: 16,855
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times
in
14 Posts
Counter productive and won't pay for itself... been proven time and time again. But then again you are dealing with politicians...
Aaron
Aaron
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
07-29-14, 08:53 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,899
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2601 Post(s)
Liked 1,925 Times
in
1,208 Posts
It's a great idea!
I'm sure the town will start by setting up a computer system into which all the registrations will be entered in near-real-time, and linked to the police with on-line access by all the pawn shops in the area. That way the registration database wlil be used to check for stolen bicycles, reducing the attractiveness of bicycles to thieves. To make that work, the town really ought to contract with a consultant now to design, prototype, and build the database and procure the necessary hardware, before they start the registration process, so it'll be ready to go when registration starts. This is a long term process, so the town will need to budget for new hardware and software updates every 3-5 years for the next 20 years. Oh, and they'll probably need some liability insurance in case the system crashes and somebody's $7,000 bicycle is pawned and resold while the computer isn't working.
(I suspect that if you say something like that at the town council you'll never hear anything about it again!)
I'm sure the town will start by setting up a computer system into which all the registrations will be entered in near-real-time, and linked to the police with on-line access by all the pawn shops in the area. That way the registration database wlil be used to check for stolen bicycles, reducing the attractiveness of bicycles to thieves. To make that work, the town really ought to contract with a consultant now to design, prototype, and build the database and procure the necessary hardware, before they start the registration process, so it'll be ready to go when registration starts. This is a long term process, so the town will need to budget for new hardware and software updates every 3-5 years for the next 20 years. Oh, and they'll probably need some liability insurance in case the system crashes and somebody's $7,000 bicycle is pawned and resold while the computer isn't working.
(I suspect that if you say something like that at the town council you'll never hear anything about it again!)
07-29-14, 10:03 PM
#4
vespertine member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Land of Angora, Turkey
Posts: 2,476
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 687 Post(s)
Liked 220 Times
in
163 Posts
I've discovered that a number of places have such laws...but they're pretty much never enforced. It's probably more trouble than it's worth, and a huge distraction from doing better things like enforcing traffic laws for all road users.
I always suspect that mandatory bike registration laws, in this day and age, are really just an excuse for law enforcement to harass cyclists whom they disapprove of.
I always suspect that mandatory bike registration laws, in this day and age, are really just an excuse for law enforcement to harass cyclists whom they disapprove of.
07-29-14, 10:18 PM
#5
Walmart bike rider
Charleston SC does it.
Online Help
Online Help
Question:
Do I need a City of Charleston bicycle license? How do I get one?
Answer:
All bicycles ridden in the City limits are required to have a City bicycle license. The greatest benefit to having your bicycle registered is that its serial number will be forever recorded with the Charleston Police Department. If your bicycle is ever stolen, here or elsewhere, you only need to tell the officer it has a City of Charleston license and he can call dispatch to get the necessary numbers to file his report.
Bring your bicycle to the Police Department located at 180 Lockwood Boulevard to be registered. Police personnel must actually see the serial number on the bicycle to verify - a paper copy will not suffice. Present your State issued ID/license along with the bicycle's sales receipt. The license fee is $1.00. If you don't have the receipt, a $5.00 license fee is charged instead.
Do I need a City of Charleston bicycle license? How do I get one?
Answer:
All bicycles ridden in the City limits are required to have a City bicycle license. The greatest benefit to having your bicycle registered is that its serial number will be forever recorded with the Charleston Police Department. If your bicycle is ever stolen, here or elsewhere, you only need to tell the officer it has a City of Charleston license and he can call dispatch to get the necessary numbers to file his report.
Bring your bicycle to the Police Department located at 180 Lockwood Boulevard to be registered. Police personnel must actually see the serial number on the bicycle to verify - a paper copy will not suffice. Present your State issued ID/license along with the bicycle's sales receipt. The license fee is $1.00. If you don't have the receipt, a $5.00 license fee is charged instead.
07-29-14, 10:28 PM
#6
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lincoln Ne
Posts: 9,924
Bikes: RANS Stratus TerraTrike Tour II
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3352 Post(s)
Liked 1,056 Times
in
635 Posts
IMO a totally dumb idea. I offer the the little Susie situation. Instead of working on real crime, cant you see a policeman patting down little Susie, cuffing her and running her in because her little pink sidewalk bicycle doesnt have a registration sticker?
07-29-14, 10:55 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Colorado Front Range
Posts: 116
Bikes: Giant Anyroad
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I thought it was cool when I was 12yrs old and Hennepin County MN required me to get a bike license.
07-30-14, 01:54 AM
#9
Senior Member
Nope! Law enforcement will still not have time to get involved with big people's toys.
__________________
Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
07-30-14, 06:10 AM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1572 Post(s)
Liked 643 Times
in
364 Posts
Why not? If you drink you pay a liquor tax, If you go to the movies you pay an entertainment tax? Why should runners and bicyclists be the only people to have tax free fun?
To maximize the take they should make it a usage fee rather than a one time tax. Charge runners and cyclists per self-reported mile. Since runners and cyclists lie so much about their annual mileage, you'd rake in a fortune.
To maximize the take they should make it a usage fee rather than a one time tax. Charge runners and cyclists per self-reported mile. Since runners and cyclists lie so much about their annual mileage, you'd rake in a fortune.
__________________
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
07-30-14, 06:20 AM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: D'uh... I am a Cutter
Posts: 6,139
Bikes: '17 Access Old Turnpike Gravel bike, '14 Trek 1.1, '13 Cannondale CAAD 10, '98 CAD 2, R300
Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1571 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
9 Posts
Yep... and you'll need a prescription from a doctor (along with permission from a bureaucrat) to buy slippers.
Some people's solution to every problem (both real and imaginary) is MORE government. Next step would be a National Bicycle Registration List.... cyclist license's, and of course.... mandated bicycle insurance.
Some people's solution to every problem (both real and imaginary) is MORE government. Next step would be a National Bicycle Registration List.... cyclist license's, and of course.... mandated bicycle insurance.
07-30-14, 06:59 AM
#12
Membership Not Required
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: On the road-USA
Posts: 16,855
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times
in
14 Posts
Yep... and you'll need a prescription from a doctor (along with permission from a bureaucrat) to buy slippers.
Some people's solution to every problem (both real and imaginary) is MORE government. Next step would be a National Bicycle Registration List.... cyclist license's, and of course.... mandated bicycle insurance.
Some people's solution to every problem (both real and imaginary) is MORE government. Next step would be a National Bicycle Registration List.... cyclist license's, and of course.... mandated bicycle insurance.
NC in their infinite wisdom is trying to require licenses and insurance on mopeds, keep in mind the fact that most people that ride them don't have any sort of operator's license...
Aaron
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
07-30-14, 12:56 PM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Chicago Western 'burbs
Posts: 1,065
Bikes: 1993 NOS Mt Shasta Tempest, Motobecane Fantom Cross CX, Dahon Speed D7, Dahon Vector P8, Bullitt Superfly
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
"She said an enforced registration program would also help identify a growing number of criminals who use bicycles when committing crimes."
Genius! Why not go one step further. When all the criminals dutifully line up to register their crime-commission bikes, they can ask them their occupation. When they reply, "bank robber", bingo! Right to the slammer.
Genius! Why not go one step further. When all the criminals dutifully line up to register their crime-commission bikes, they can ask them their occupation. When they reply, "bank robber", bingo! Right to the slammer.
07-30-14, 01:12 PM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,866
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
2 Posts
So the newspaper ran this article today. The city is discussing requiring residents to register their bicycle with the city. What does everyone think of this? Personally I think there is no reason to require this other than to collect more money from the residents.
When that is the goal it is a very good idea.
07-30-14, 01:32 PM
#17
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Florida
Posts: 6
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The license fee is $1.00. If you don't have the receipt, a $5.00 license fee is charged instead.-gpsblake
Reading through I was ok with everything they were saying, do i agree with it? no, but everyone has a dollar to spare to register their bike. Then I read the last sentence. It is punishing the people that buy used bikes, or people that have owned their bike so long they no longer have their receipt. Also, how does it cost the city more to register a bike without a receipt than one with a receipt? It kills me...
Reading through I was ok with everything they were saying, do i agree with it? no, but everyone has a dollar to spare to register their bike. Then I read the last sentence. It is punishing the people that buy used bikes, or people that have owned their bike so long they no longer have their receipt. Also, how does it cost the city more to register a bike without a receipt than one with a receipt? It kills me...
07-30-14, 01:47 PM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Cabot, Arkansas
Posts: 1,538
Bikes: Lynskey Twisted Helix Di2 Ti, 1987 Orbea steel single speed/fixie, Orbea Avant M30, Trek Fuel EX9.8 29, Trek Madone 5 series, Specialized Epic Carbon Comp 29er, Trek 7.1F
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Just another tax. Don't we already pay enough? It's just a dollar.... Yea famous last words. I'm about "just another dollared" to death. Maybe if the would should off the fountain in front of city hall or stop paying for the mayor to go to china they could save ten times that much. Enough is enough already !!!
07-30-14, 02:00 PM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280
Bikes: Nashbar Road
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times
in
228 Posts
I didn't see in the article or arguments the estimation of administrative costs for this registration.
It's been tried here and there, and as far as I know the costs always exceed the revenue. If you include enforcement, even worse. So it won't even work as a money grab.
It's been tried here and there, and as far as I know the costs always exceed the revenue. If you include enforcement, even worse. So it won't even work as a money grab.
07-31-14, 05:28 AM
#20
Senior Member
The Dutch tried using chips in bikes for quick and easy identification by the police. They recently stopped that program because it wasn't effective in lowering the bike theft rate.
07-31-14, 06:02 AM
#21
Membership Not Required
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: On the road-USA
Posts: 16,855
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times
in
14 Posts
"She said an enforced registration program would also help identify a growing number of criminals who use bicycles when committing crimes."
Genius! Why not go one step further. When all the criminals dutifully line up to register their crime-commission bikes, they can ask them their occupation. When they reply, "bank robber", bingo! Right to the slammer.
Genius! Why not go one step further. When all the criminals dutifully line up to register their crime-commission bikes, they can ask them their occupation. When they reply, "bank robber", bingo! Right to the slammer.
Aaron
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
07-31-14, 08:21 AM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: LF, APMAT
Posts: 2,752
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 623 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 397 Times
in
226 Posts
This is Gainesville FL, which could have actual real world consequences since I do visit family from time to time and take my bike for rides there. As an out of towner what am I supposed to do? Register at the City Hall when I arrive or get stopped every few blocks and show ID to prove I don’t live there? I can’t see how it would ever pay for itself. BTW unless something’s changed they used to mandate bike bells so you never know…
07-31-14, 02:50 PM
#24
Senior Member
Wow. This thread. No one is taking into account a major benefit of registration.
Bike registration here is not really a requirement, but I think it's a good idea, simply to thwart bicycle theft and sale of stolen bikes. Registration is attached to the serial number, which is attached to an owner. When you sell the bicycle the new owner registers the serial under their name. Recovered stolen/abandoned bikes from the police can be traced back to their owners with the serial and registration information.
Without registration or if the serial has been ground off it's a a red flag that the bike might be stolen. It's helped keep the second hand bike market here a little bit cleaner, at least through normal channels like craigslist and pawn shops.
Bike registration here is not really a requirement, but I think it's a good idea, simply to thwart bicycle theft and sale of stolen bikes. Registration is attached to the serial number, which is attached to an owner. When you sell the bicycle the new owner registers the serial under their name. Recovered stolen/abandoned bikes from the police can be traced back to their owners with the serial and registration information.
Without registration or if the serial has been ground off it's a a red flag that the bike might be stolen. It's helped keep the second hand bike market here a little bit cleaner, at least through normal channels like craigslist and pawn shops.
07-31-14, 03:24 PM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,388
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 176 Post(s)
Liked 25 Times
in
13 Posts
Wow. This thread. No one is taking into account a major benefit of registration.
Bike registration here is not really a requirement, but I think it's a good idea, simply to thwart bicycle theft and sale of stolen bikes. Registration is attached to the serial number, which is attached to an owner. When you sell the bicycle the new owner registers the serial under their name. Recovered stolen/abandoned bikes from the police can be traced back to their owners with the serial and registration information.
Without registration or if the serial has been ground off it's a a red flag that the bike might be stolen. It's helped keep the second hand bike market here a little bit cleaner, at least through normal channels like craigslist and pawn shops.
Bike registration here is not really a requirement, but I think it's a good idea, simply to thwart bicycle theft and sale of stolen bikes. Registration is attached to the serial number, which is attached to an owner. When you sell the bicycle the new owner registers the serial under their name. Recovered stolen/abandoned bikes from the police can be traced back to their owners with the serial and registration information.
Without registration or if the serial has been ground off it's a a red flag that the bike might be stolen. It's helped keep the second hand bike market here a little bit cleaner, at least through normal channels like craigslist and pawn shops.