As much as the backers of the legislation attempt to paint this as Something Good for those who ride bikes, it’s nothing more than a way to control people and raise revenue
This afternoon, Gothamist points us to a proposal by assemblyman Michael DenDekker, a Democrat from Queens, which would require by law that every bicycle — not just in New York City, but in New York state — have a license plate, to be re-registered every year only after an inspection of the bike. A second bill, also in the works, would make it so every rider must be insured and carry identification. The enforcement would mean about $1,875,000 for New York, plus $375,000 every additional year in fees. But that’s not the point, lawmakers insist.
Granted, this is exactly the type of power granted to the States, and, this is actually commerce. You buy a bike, and they can force you to purchase insurance, just like with a car, unlike forcing you to purchase health insurance for simply being born an American. But, still, this is just idiotic. A license plate? Register the bike every year? Get the bike inspected? Absurd.
“the annual registration of personal bicycles and provides for a license plate fee of twenty-five dollars for the first year and five dollars for every year thereafter.” To get the license plate, cyclists would need to get their bicycles inspected to make sure they “conform to the lamp and equipment requirements.”
Good thing New Yorkers have big Nanny Government looking out for them, to make sure they have the proper bicycle lights (probably ones which put out very little CO2). Read the rest of the story for astonished amusement, with quotes from Democrats who try to pretty it up as some sort of civil safety issue.
Crossed at Right Wing News and Stop The ACLU.
Well good for them. Congratulations to them.
I am sure they will happily comply with what they voted for.
Unfortunately, should some Repub come by later and wish to take that out as stupid, nonsensical, wasteful, and just plain idiotic, .. a Dem will claim he is a racist and bent on killing babies and minorities.
Budget for enforcement?
(crickets)
And the Dems will also probably say it will cost jobs and add to the state deficit, Cap’n.
The budget will probably be $2 million a year. (see first excerpt) 😉
That is money well spent there Teach. Do you know how many bikes are on the road?!? UNLICENSED and uninsured bikes out on the road causing mass hazard and mayhem?
They need to be licensed so that they won’t be reckless. They need to be insured so that we can be sure they follow the rules of the road. Have you ever been run over by a delivery boy?
Just think of the insurance you could collect from that drive-by cyclist now that they will have insurance. You could now claim, “Did someone get the license of that bike that hit me?” And GET IT!!!
That all costs money. I mean, you don’t really expect these environmental followers to actually pay fines and taxes that they propose, do you?
This will be subsidized.
Heck, if the Feds can mandate and pay for insurance, then surely the state can do the same for the evil BIG-CYCLISTS.
[…] New York May Require Licenses And Insurance For….Bikes? Good thing New Yorkers have big Nanny Government looking out for them, to make sure they have the proper bicycle lights (probably ones which put out very little CO2). Read the rest of the story for astonished amusement, with quotes from Democrats who try to pretty it up as some sort of civil safety issue. […]
If New York is like every other state I have ridden through, they are going to have to change laws to go with this.
Most states require that bikes have headlights and taillights only if being ridden after dark. If New York is going to require lights on bikes all the time, people will simply laugh at them.
Of course, the un-intended consequence of this is that bike fees, inspections, licenses, and bringing a bike into “compliance” is going to impact the poor more than anyone.
Just another case of “we really don’t care about the people, we just want money” from the government.
Some idiot Congressdummy had the same idea for New Jersey about a month ago.
http://realdumbassnews.blogspot.com/2011/01/tax-bicycles-says-nj-dem-she-changes.html