Did you know that you have to license a bicycle?  I always knew about it because when I lived in Long Beach California, it was the law and it was enforced. Yes, some cities do not have a program, but the state law still exists. No excuses, no exceptions.

Recently it came to light as law enforcement has been using this to harass the homeless and other groups that they dislike using selective ticketing.  But, it can also be used to arrest you. Yes, if an officer wants to he can always find a law to make his point. When you don't fit a community, they will find some way to keep you and your kind out.

The dilemma  is when your city has no program and you happen to be riding somewhere else. Say you take a ride along the beach... and you get stopped by an officer, maybe you did something wrong, maybe he just didn't like how you look. Either way, you are now under the watchful eye of a local cop. You are clean, have no criminal record, and just out enjoying the scenery, and you get a ticket. That ticket could be a moving violation or something about your bicycle being unsafe. Or this... You had an unlicensed bicycle, it lacked the proper safety equipment, and now you are standing there as the officer impounds your bike and hand you a ticket. You can thank a law that leaves a lot to be desired, a law, selectively enforced, but a law none the less that will make life very unpleasant. Oh, and by the way, this liscense needs to be renewed every three years, and there is paperwork to do when you transfer ownership, and if you sell bikes (five or more in a year), there is more paperwork and reporting to go along with that,

As more and more bicycles start appearing on the streets, expect this program to become one for enhancement, more enforcement, and more harassment for cyclists. Time for me to contact my local officials and see what I can do to make the law clearer to the local residents.

Posted on Dreamwidth