So the City is thinking of requiring bicycles to be licensed. Well, I can’t say I’m thrilled with the idea, but I guess fair is fair. If we want to be recognized as legitimate road users, we have to suck it up.
Rather than licensing of bicycles, though, I would prefer to see licensing of CYCLISTS. What they are proposing, the registration of BICYLES, can legitimately be seen as a tax grab. It does nothing to improve safety or foster understanding. It just puts a few bucks in the city coffers.
Licensing of cyclists, on the other hand, is an opportunity to educate and retrain those idiot cyclists who make us all look bad. Including those poor souls who really believe they’re safer on the sidewalk. I can’t think of any objection to making sure EVERYONE on the road is trained to operate his or her vehicle properly.
Licensing of cyclists may be an idea whose time has come. But if it’s going to happen, it’s essential that the cycling community get on board right away. We have to make sure ANY legislation governing cyclists is drafted by CYCLISTS, not fat-assed beaurocrats whose last bicycle had coaster brakes and pompoms hanging from the handlebars.
This article appears in Dec 6-12, 2007.
As always Coyote…You are a preacher of truth and good sense.
So every week I read all the bitching about cars vs bikes….blah blah blah….it gets so repetitive and boring! And I can honestly say I’ve never bitched about cyclists…heck I barely ever noticed them until I started reading the coast, but after my incident yesterday I feel I have to comment…..FUCK YOU< YOU STUPID ASS FLYING UP THE SIDEWALK ON AGRICOLA BY OLANDS AT AROUND 4:OOPM. YOU SHOULD BE DEAD ASSHOLE! And I would be the driver blamed for your death. Thank fuck your brakes work! IDIOT!
And now a word from our sponsors….lol, all kidding aside Lori, you are right to be upset, it would have been your liability…which is why licensing these maniacs would bring accountability to bikers. That stupid ass flying up the sidewalk (hilarious imagery) would now have 4 points deducted and a reckless driving charge…because vehicles are not allowed on the sidewalk or use crosswalks.
For what its worth, a cyclist can lose points off of their license for driving infractions, and suffer the insurance cost increase to boot. I know of someone who ran a red light, was pulled over, and suffered the consequences.Next…