Originally Posted by ngateguy
But car registration is not a tax so that isn't valid. Use of the sidewalks is not in question here so don't try using unrealistic points to avoid answering a very fair and honest question.
Just what I thought no one can really answer that question. Playing the devils advocate here, we demand the same rights and responsibilities as cars yet we do not have to license ourselves or register our vehicles, and when asked we kick and scream about it. in reality we do not want the same responsibilities as vehicles.
Well, we just recently got rid of the tax we had here in California that went with registering our vehicles, but the local governments want it put back.
You're right, we don't want the same responsibilities as vehicles. I described a situation a couple of weeks ago where traffic was backed up for miles through the cities, and asked if those that say we should wait in line with the cars at traffic lights would have waited for hours in the cold, or ridden past the cars on the right side in an extra wide lane, where there was no bike lane. About two cars were getting through each green light, and traffic was backed up for over 7 miles. Side streets do not go all the way through. I didn't get any answers from the "same responsibilities" crowd on that one.
Also, putting a plate on the front and rear of my bike, just like a car, would pose a problem, as I really have no place to permanently mount one on either the rear or the front.
I wouldn't be against registering my bikes, but I can't see having to mount a license plate somewhere, since there's no place left after I put my saddle bag on.