Originally Posted by
CbadRider
I have never heard of a cyclist being required to carry a photo ID. I wear my Road ID bracelet and only bring a photo ID when I'm riding through a local military base which requires it.
There was a thread in Road a while back about the effectiveness of ID bracelets and dog tags, and the paramedics and nurses said one of the first things they look for is a bracelet or necklace with medical allergies or ICE information. If your ID bracelet is on your bike, it won't make it with you to the hospital.
Actually it is not a case of just cyclists being required to carry picture ID. It is a case of everyone needing to. The requirement falls under what law enforcement should, or in some cases must, use for positive ID of someone they contact. I think in most, if not all states, if the LEO isn't happy with the ID he/she has the right to take you into custody pending positive ID. Of course officer judgement is involved. But why not make things as much on your side as you can.
At home there are two military installations and everyone is accustomed to dog tags so that is what I wear. Plus, it is a small town and they can run me pretty quickly so I often don't bother with picture ID. Where I am now, dog tags and picture ID, but not my drivers license; too many instances of them not being returned in a timely fashion, sometimes stranding a person with no ability to travel.