Because every other vehicle that uses roads is motorized, does damage to the road, and has special rights on the road that bikes don't have.

There is no reason, for example, for someone who rides a full suspension mountain bike exclusively off road in various trails around the city to have to register his/her bike, because they don't even use the roads in the first place.

The "you use the road" excuse is complete bull*****. What's next? Pedestrians wearing license plates on their butts because, well hell, they use the sidewalks and they're publicly funded!

Or even better: Let's license Lark scooters and motorized wheelchairs...

It will never end...