Monday, July 06, 2009

Bike Licenses and Registration

Is this the beginning of a new authoritarian movement in California? Capdiamont seems to be suggesting it on his blog and some lady has a letter to the editor in the Santa Rosa Press- Democrat this morning advocating that bicycle registration and testing and licensing of riders be required in this state:

License bikes

EDITOR: The state of California is in dire need of money, and the response is to raise taxes, cut services and funding for schools, close parks, etc.

We license boats, motorcycles, sportsmen, dogs and more. Bikes should be licensed and registered annually. Cyclists should learn the rules of the road and take driving tests. Licensing and registration should include information as required for vehicles. In the 1940s, when you purchased a bike, a license was required with a small fee. Why did this stop?

There are reports that some bicyclists have abused pedestrians and bridge workers. Why not charge them a toll to cross our bridges? Speeding, ignoring arterials and signals and blocking roads with demonstrations are common practices.

Road improvements, bike lanes and paths are being added for their safety. License and registration fees on cyclists could offset these expenses.

More bikers are commuting to work and should bear the burden of road improvements. I believe everyone who uses our roads, highways and bridges should pay their share.

The state is in financial crisis and needs revenue. Here is an opportunity to assist all counties and increase revenues.

BETTY McARTHUR

Petaluma

And people wonder why I don't celebrate the 4th of July.

12 Comments:

At 8:09 AM, Blogger AJ said...

Shoe-wearers should be licensed. A person who wears shoes is capable of running much faster for much longer on many surfaces than a natural barefoot walker.

I often have to dodge so-called joggers at intersections, sometimes even leaping into nearby shrubbery to avert a collision.

Ban web-based and mail-order shoe sales. License shoe store sales staff to administer a walking test, written and physical. The tests should be mandatory no matter how frequently you buy shoes. This will help put a dent in the scourge of drunk pedestrians endangering our walkways.

And what about swimming? No running in the pool area! Try telling that to some punk kid wearing swim shoes. Parents should be fined and Nike should be taxed. Let's finally do something about shoes. The apologists have ruined our lives for far too long.

 
At 10:10 AM, Blogger Fred Mangels said...

Great idea, AJ. So many great ideas floating around in this state.

How about that one some lady suggested in a letter to the editor of the T-S a few years ago: People should be required to get a business license to sell their cars? Think of the money that could bring in.

 
At 10:33 AM, Blogger AJ said...

A business license? Preposterous.

Used car sales should be criminalized. If you're going to abandon your responsibilities as a car owner (do we allow such a thing for pet owners?), you should be stripped of your license (it's a privilege, not a right!) and be forced to use public transit.

Then we tax bus fares and car dumping fees. Between that and the adrenaline shot given to the automotive repair industry from the meteoric rise in vehicle maintenance work, California will get back on track mighty quick.

How many vehicle manufacturers does California have? Exactly. Today subsidize Michigan's economy by encouraging new vehicle sales. I say, California for Californians. Force our citizens to keep their classic Volvos and we'll turn this depression into a jam session for personal livelihood overnight.

Oh, what about our car dealerships, you ask? Take a poll. Even a car salesman's mother would support this idea. She's been nagging him to get a real job for years anyhow.

 
At 10:44 AM, Blogger AJ said...

My apologies for my numerous grammatical transgressions.

 
At 12:01 PM, Blogger Jack Durham said...

As a bicyclist, I routinely abuse bridge workers. That's what cycling is all about for me, and I'm sure I'm not alone.

 
At 10:17 PM, Blogger mresquan said...

A little off topic.....but speaking of fees,Eureka residents may want to know that an item is on the agenda at the council meeting tomorrow night to once again raise waste rates.

 
At 1:04 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

The purpose of registering a bike is to prove ownership in case it is stolen.

 
At 5:48 AM, Blogger Fred Mangels said...

"The purpose of registering a bike is to prove ownership in case it is stolen".

That's not the reason the letter writer wants bike registration mandatory. She sees it as more revenue for The State. You can already register your bike voluntarily in most cities.

 
At 5:51 AM, Blogger Fred Mangels said...

Esquan wrote, an item is on the agenda at the council meeting tomorrow night to once again raise waste rates..

Yep, saw that. That's as to be expected. Garbage rates rose 25% last year and they'll likely raise more this year, especially since Eureka residents now have no choice in regards to garbage service.

Thank you Eureka City Council and Special Projects manager, Gary Bird.

 
At 8:11 AM, Blogger mresquan said...

Look for that to be a No from council.May surprise you Fred,but Larry seems most anti.

 
At 9:15 AM, Blogger Fred Mangels said...

I understood the fee was supposed to go up around now when they start the forced recycling pick up. Not sure if this is dealing with the same issue, though, and I have yet to see the recycling bins we're supposed to be using.

 
At 9:18 AM, Blogger TwowheelinTim said...

Be informed.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d16_7/vc39002.htm

 

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