I have a DL but don't ride with it. My ID on the bike is a road ID. Last weekend police were hiding at an intersection frequented by large number of cyclists. They were clearly targeting cyclists who ran the stop sign.

I realize this is a state by state question and could vary greatly by state. However, what was your experience when you don't have a DL or state ID on you?

I have had to verbally state my identification, name, DOB and address, pulls up your record, if any, in Police record computer.

Why would you be commuting without a DL? I do ride without it sometimes, but I always carry it with if I leave the house to go somewhere.

Oregon .. invalid-expired one is good enough for OLCC (at bar). proof of age.

As a matter of keeping up with stuff, I leave my DL in my car. I don't feel the need to carry a Drivers License when not driving.

I don't commute without a DL, because I need my wallet throughout the day.

Weekend rides, however, all I carry is my Road ID and my phone.

Cops have better things to do around here, like fighting crime.

I rarely carry my wallet so I am generally ID-less except for my RoadID wristband (which isn't official but might do in a pinch if needed).

I used to keep a photocopy of my DL in a small zippered pack I take on recreational rides with the house key, debit card, money etc. I haven't made a new one since the last one expired, though.

If I'm commuting I have my DL because my wallet is with me.

I'm not sure if Nevada police would give a cyclist any grief over not having any ID.

What was YOUR experience that prompted the OP?

I don't necessarily carry my papers when walking or riding a bike. I would think the 4th amendment is sufficient and unless a Peace Officer had reasonable suspicion that I committed a crime or was about to commit a crime, I see no reason to identify myself at all but of course facial recognition has made that moot.

I scanned both my DL and healthcare (insurance) card and then printed them/it. I wrote and highlighted "photocopy" on the copy and then laminated it. That should be good enough to get me by... yet not good enough to worry about should it somehow get lost. However I keep everything... cash, phone, and ID in a zip-lock bag in my jersey.

If your state law doesn't require you to carry ID, there's nothing they can cite you for about that. That said, you can still be issued a violation for running a stop sign or otherwise violating vehicle codes. Cops routinely look for this kind of stuff in areas that are heavily frequented by cyclists. In my area, they do it in Nyack, NY, Piermont, NY and throughout NJ close to NYC all the time. But you know what? I'm glad they do because those guys make all of us look bad. If we want to be treated fairly, we've got to do our part as well.

As to your original question, what many people do to avoid issues is photocopy their license rather than carrying the original with them. Unless your state requires you to carry ID with you, that's totally valid.

Had I not been carrying a DL or state ID the one time I have been stopped, I'd probably have been arrested. It was that kind of stop, that type of police officer. There had been reports of car break-ins in the area, and since he thought that bikes were "sneaky", riding a bike was sufficient cause to be suspected. I kid you not, that was his explanation for stopping me.

After that I glided by his "stakeout" dozens of times, but turning off all my lights first so that I wouldn't have to deal with another pointless stop. But I always carried my ID - I can't see a reason not to.

Is that just a disclaimer, or is there some state that you know of that does require it? I ask because my understanding is that they can't require it, but can otherwise make trouble for you if you don't.

i make it a point to carry my resume on all rides. just in case...

Commuting, I'll have my wallet...packed away in my panniers with my work clothes. Rec/club rides....nah. I'll leave it in the car. The less I pack into my jersey pockets the better. Already guaranteed to have my phone and maybe a credit card, and some fuel. If I can't get by with just my cell phone, I might have bigger issues.
In my area, I have never seen a cop stop a cyclist. Though I am sure that is because we are a rare enough breed they wouldn't know what to do with us.

Stop and identify statutes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It doesn't seem like any of the 50 states actually requires to provide an actual ID. According to the wiki, only in Arizona, Indiana, Louisiana, Nevada, and Ohio does the law actually say you are required to verbally identify yourself if stopped. Apparently here in Illinois the police are allowed to "demand" it but the IL Supreme Court ruled that that doesn't obligate one to answer.

Not to say that the State Supreme Court is going to be hanging out behind a bush in case you need them when stopped late at night. Cops have all kinds of ways of making life difficult for someone they deem isn't compliant enough.

I try to always carry the following: DL, credit card, medical insurance, $20-40 in small bills, & phone

All of which fits nicely into a Lezyne phone wallet. Keeps everything dry. I should definitely do the photocopy trick for ID/insurance cards.

That's surprising that only 5 states have it in their statutes that you must identify yourself. I suspect that you'll have to in all other states also, even without a statute, unless you're willing to be detained until the officer can establish your identity.

Easier IMO to carry the ID.

Why are the cops allowed to ask for social security number? I'm not even really happy that it's used for a universal ID number (which was, at one time, forbidden to create I thought) for health care and financial reasons.

I guess I didn't read the part of the law that says that citizens are required to know their SSN.

I do NOT always ride with my wallet, though I often do. When I ride with it, it's not to have an ID, it's for a credit card to buy lunch or something else with.

True that just giving up the ID is the most expedient policy in most cases. As a middle aged, middle class, white male, I'm likely to get the "carry on, citizen" treatment under most circumstances. Others who aren't so lucky are more likely to need to assert their rights more aggressively.

None, I was on a different route. We all heard about it as the weekend rides here all originate from the same place.

I sometimes carry my wallet but many times don't - it depends on the kind of ride I'm doing and where I'm going. Same with my cell phone. Same with any extra cash. I can't imagine why anyone would need to have a DL on them when riding a bike. I keep it and my debit card in my wallet and if I'm going somewhere where I might want to use my debit card, then my wallet (with DL) comes along for the ride.

IMO, if someone can't get by on a commute or local/group ride without a cellphone he/she might have issues.