I thought I was a law abiding citizen (WRONG!).
#1
Needing more power Scotty
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I thought I was a law abiding citizen (WRONG!).
Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha going to do, whatcha going to do when they come for you???
Wow,
I had no idea that I break the law, each and every day during my commute. I was searching my town's Online Code of Ordinances for an unrelated topic when I came upon this: South Portland Code of Ordinances.
Sec. 4-6. License required; license sticker to be attached.
No person residing within this city shall ride or propel a bicycle on any street or upon any public path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles unless such bicycle has been licensed and a license sticker has been attached thereto as provided by this chapter.
I don't like this part:
Sec. 4-17. Riding on roadways, bicycle paths.
(a) Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.
(b) Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two (2) abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
(c) Whenever a useable path for bicycles has been provided adjacent to a roadway bicycle riders shall use such path and shall not use the roadway.
Parts of my commute have a large shoulder with a bicycle painted in it. I tend to ride in the right hand side of the traffic lane rather than decidedly in the shoulder. Everything that I have read says that this makes me more visible, less inconsequential, and safer.
I do not have a license for my bikes, and had NO IDEA that it was required. Looking at the dates of the ordinances it looks like they are from the 1960's, and were revised in 1992. Should I take my bikes to the police department (after I put a bell on my 12 speed) and pay the 25 cents for the inspection and license, or do I forget I ever saw this. My guess is that the police will look at me like I had three heads if I show up there asking for an inspection and license.
Wow,
I had no idea that I break the law, each and every day during my commute. I was searching my town's Online Code of Ordinances for an unrelated topic when I came upon this: South Portland Code of Ordinances.
Sec. 4-6. License required; license sticker to be attached.
No person residing within this city shall ride or propel a bicycle on any street or upon any public path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles unless such bicycle has been licensed and a license sticker has been attached thereto as provided by this chapter.
I don't like this part:
Sec. 4-17. Riding on roadways, bicycle paths.
(a) Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.
(b) Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two (2) abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
(c) Whenever a useable path for bicycles has been provided adjacent to a roadway bicycle riders shall use such path and shall not use the roadway.
Parts of my commute have a large shoulder with a bicycle painted in it. I tend to ride in the right hand side of the traffic lane rather than decidedly in the shoulder. Everything that I have read says that this makes me more visible, less inconsequential, and safer.
I do not have a license for my bikes, and had NO IDEA that it was required. Looking at the dates of the ordinances it looks like they are from the 1960's, and were revised in 1992. Should I take my bikes to the police department (after I put a bell on my 12 speed) and pay the 25 cents for the inspection and license, or do I forget I ever saw this. My guess is that the police will look at me like I had three heads if I show up there asking for an inspection and license.
#2
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riddei I work in SoPo, so I ride through it frequently. Since I don't reside in SoPo, the licensing requirement does not apply to me - if it did, I think that the cost is twenty five cents, so it is more of a hassle than anything else. I did think that it might be fun to have a large group of cyclists show up all at once and ask for licenses - just to see what the reaction was.
As to section 4-17 (c) - Are you aware of any usable paths for bicycles that run adjacent to a roadway in South Portland? - I'm not, and there certainly aren't any on my commute. I would read this as a separate path from the roadway, not a bike path created by painting lines or icons on the shoulder.
When I saw these silly ordinances at first I got a bit upset, but then I realized that they are nothing more than a waste of ink.
As to section 4-17 (c) - Are you aware of any usable paths for bicycles that run adjacent to a roadway in South Portland? - I'm not, and there certainly aren't any on my commute. I would read this as a separate path from the roadway, not a bike path created by painting lines or icons on the shoulder.
When I saw these silly ordinances at first I got a bit upset, but then I realized that they are nothing more than a waste of ink.
#3
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I'd get it registered. While its far from common, my mom had a bike stolen, and then subsequently recovered since she had it registered. There's a nice registration sticker for my dad's bike... from 1983. Cripe that was before I was born (1986) and, heck, even before my parent's were married (1984).
I keep meaning to bring my bikes by the Lansing Police Department to register them. I already have all three registered with the university but... that's due to the fact that they'll impound them if they see them sitting unregistered in the summer and.... I don't have the $25 to spare to get them out of impound.
I doubt the police will give you much flack or even a funny look. Ok, well if the receptionist isn't aware of the policy, then you might get a funny look but I get those every day I ride
I keep meaning to bring my bikes by the Lansing Police Department to register them. I already have all three registered with the university but... that's due to the fact that they'll impound them if they see them sitting unregistered in the summer and.... I don't have the $25 to spare to get them out of impound.
I doubt the police will give you much flack or even a funny look. Ok, well if the receptionist isn't aware of the policy, then you might get a funny look but I get those every day I ride
#5
Needing more power Scotty
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No, I'm not aware of any other "bicycle path's" other than the one's I described on Highland Ave with the bicycle painted on the shoulder. It would be up to interpretation whether one would be required to ride there with this ordinance. And actually, I'm not really worried about this. It's more of a curiosity than anything else. I posted this on John Brooking's site locally.
For the heck of it, I'm going to bring my bikes and a copy of the ordinance to the SPPD over the next couple of weeks (seriously, after I get a bell for the 12 speed). If for nothing else to test the waters, and to have the bikes documented. 25 cents is a bargain.
For the heck of it, I'm going to bring my bikes and a copy of the ordinance to the SPPD over the next couple of weeks (seriously, after I get a bell for the 12 speed). If for nothing else to test the waters, and to have the bikes documented. 25 cents is a bargain.
#6
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Here in KS, the ordinances are exactly the same (verbatum). When I first moved here about 3 months ago, I went to the LBS for a floor pump, I think. While I was there I asked them about the $10 license required for bikes. The old timer there said the money collected from the licenses used to be used for publishing maps of bike paths and improvements to bike routes, but not any more. He said he has never been stopped for a license, but they are strict about lights at night. He has been boycotting the license since the money does nothing for the bike community. I agreed.
My bike is not licensed and I pass at least 2 or 3 cops each way on my commute. Apparently there was a complaint about speeding on my route because there were cops there yesterday and today standing on the side of the road running radar. As I rode past yesterday, I asked if I was speeding and he laughed at me... It was only a 30 mph zone. Point is, I don't think they know/care about this law, at least here.
Heck, I always ride in the road, and usually take the lane. I take "usable path for bicycles" to mean bike path/MUP, not sidewalk. I regularly ride on 4 lane roads with 30 or 40 mph speed limits. Cops pass me (or sometimes they try) all the time and I haven't gotten so much as a peep from them.
My bike is not licensed and I pass at least 2 or 3 cops each way on my commute. Apparently there was a complaint about speeding on my route because there were cops there yesterday and today standing on the side of the road running radar. As I rode past yesterday, I asked if I was speeding and he laughed at me... It was only a 30 mph zone. Point is, I don't think they know/care about this law, at least here.
Heck, I always ride in the road, and usually take the lane. I take "usable path for bicycles" to mean bike path/MUP, not sidewalk. I regularly ride on 4 lane roads with 30 or 40 mph speed limits. Cops pass me (or sometimes they try) all the time and I haven't gotten so much as a peep from them.
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Meh... If you get a ticket for having an unlicensed bike then I might start to think about getting it licensed. If you get a ticket for not using the adjacent path then I'd start maybe using the path sometimes. I think you're discovering the positive side of people's ignorance of bicycle related law.
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#9
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I'm willing to bet they can't sell you a license and quit printing them many years ago. They would lose money as the sticker would cost them more than 25 cents. Here is a photo of what a bicycle license looks like as I have an old bike with one still on it.
Personally; I would go in and demand one and proudly display it on my bike or take it to court and force them to eliminate those laws or enforce them, just to be a PITA.
Personally; I would go in and demand one and proudly display it on my bike or take it to court and force them to eliminate those laws or enforce them, just to be a PITA.
#10
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I once shot a man for taking my parking space. Didn't know that was illegal in PA but, like you, stumbled upon the statute when I was reading through some old law books for pleasure. My advice, get the license and if someone ganks your parking spot, just let 'em take it.
#11
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I was just reading about some local laws in north east Ohio,and one town, Willoughby, I think (or maybe Willowick) not only requires that you have a license for your bike if you live there, but you also have to get one if you bike into town and don't live there unless the town you live in has a reciprocal agreement with the city, and since most neighboring towns don't have a license requirement, I'm guessing that there's almost no one that the city actually has an agreement with. I'm sure I violated that law because I used to live near there and bike through on occasion, but then I have no idea if they bother enforcing it.
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I know, different state, but you might want to look into that.
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licenses are required and cost $10 in Los Angeles. I can't remember if that's a city or county code.
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Maryland's registration law was repealed in 1982. I don't recall exactly, but I don't think it was even on the books for very long.
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Here, it's at least recommended that your license your bike for two reasons:
1. It makes theft recovery easier
2. It gives the city a better idea of how many cyclists there are and thus how much demand there is for MUPs, greenways, etc.
1. It makes theft recovery easier
2. It gives the city a better idea of how many cyclists there are and thus how much demand there is for MUPs, greenways, etc.
#18
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I was just reading about some local laws in north east Ohio,and one town, Willoughby, I think (or maybe Willowick) not only requires that you have a license for your bike if you live there, but you also have to get one if you bike into town and don't live there unless the town you live in has a reciprocal agreement with the city, and since most neighboring towns don't have a license requirement, I'm guessing that there's almost no one that the city actually has an agreement with. I'm sure I violated that law because I used to live near there and bike through on occasion, but then I have no idea if they bother enforcing it.
THX
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I'm pretty sure that there's still something similar on the books here, but it's more for theft recovery; at least, none of the bikes I saw at the last police auction had license stickers on them.
--saint
--saint
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Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha going to do, whatcha going to do when they come for you???
Wow,
I had no idea that I break the law, each and every day during my commute. I was searching my town's Online Code of Ordinances for an unrelated topic when I came upon this: ...
I do not have a license for my bikes, and had NO IDEA that it was required. Looking at the dates of the ordinances it looks like they are from the 1960's, and were revised in 1992. Should I take my bikes to the police department (after I put a bell on my 12 speed) and pay the 25 cents for the inspection and license, or do I forget I ever saw this. My guess is that the police will look at me like I had three heads if I show up there asking for an inspection and license.
Wow,
I had no idea that I break the law, each and every day during my commute. I was searching my town's Online Code of Ordinances for an unrelated topic when I came upon this: ...
I do not have a license for my bikes, and had NO IDEA that it was required. Looking at the dates of the ordinances it looks like they are from the 1960's, and were revised in 1992. Should I take my bikes to the police department (after I put a bell on my 12 speed) and pay the 25 cents for the inspection and license, or do I forget I ever saw this. My guess is that the police will look at me like I had three heads if I show up there asking for an inspection and license.
#23
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I was just reading about some local laws in north east Ohio,and one town, Willoughby, I think (or maybe Willowick) not only requires that you have a license for your bike if you live there, but you also have to get one if you bike into town and don't live there unless the town you live in has a reciprocal agreement with the city, and since most neighboring towns don't have a license requirement, I'm guessing that there's almost no one that the city actually has an agreement with. I'm sure I violated that law because I used to live near there and bike through on occasion, but then I have no idea if they bother enforcing it.
#24
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#25
Needing more power Scotty
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More of a curiosity than a concern. I was amazed to see the ordinance at all. I was searching for something else (requirements for residential fences FWIW), and stumbled across it.