Ledger thinks bike license great idea. Takes it further. ;)

Okay, now that the bicycle registration and license plate idea is dead in the water and we are all breathing a collective sigh of relief, I think it's time to have a good laugh.  Denise Copland and Betty the Bike at NJ Off-Road Biking hooked us up with The Star-Ledger's Brian Donohue take on this. Way too funny! Take a look.



It was very interesting and refreshing to see just about all of the New Jersey media outlets coming down on our side on this issue.  News 12 New Jersey's morning anchor staff were having a ball with this story quoting Facebook comments that were intelligent, funny and in line with our general feelings on this issue (oddly enough the best ones don't seem to be there anymore). 
And a shout out goes to bike commuter Andy Eklund in the News 12 story linked above, with his great comments and astute observation about people riding on the sidewalk and running over grannies since there are no bike lanes (and who says you can't bike while wearing a tie!).

Still this was a very serious issue which could have easily gone the other way.  In fact, I'm quite shocked that public opinion was a tidal wave in our favor, thankfully.

And there is still the issue of seniors getting run over by bikers.  I know that this must happen.  In New Brunswick, where I ride often, many people ride on the crowded sidewalks in the central business district even though most of the adjoining streets are not all that dangerous.  And they do so despite there being signs posted everywhere, in English and Spanish, that biking on the sidewalk is not allowed.  Shoot!  I've almost been hit several times by these guys!

I still say that it is possible for us bike (and walk) advocates to turn this whole episode around and make Assemblywoman Tucker an ally.  Now that this registration proposal has been dropped we should all write letters.  First we need to thank her but also to tell her that the best way to prevent seniors from getting run over by bikers, is to get them off the sidewalk.  And the best way to get bikers off the sidewalk is by providing them with a dedicated and safe place to ride in the street, where all adult cyclists belong.

And on a side note, I really got to thank Assemblywoman Tucker.  She touched one of the "third rails" of bicycle policy with this bill and the resulting effect on this blog has been electrifying.  Her bill, along with John's quick scoop of the story here on WalkBikeJersey has been a boon for traffic on the blog.  We got over 1,000 page views on January 10th alone and the original post has been hit more than 2,000 times since then!  Hopefully this will mean many more repeat visits from all of you out there.

Don't forget.  You read about it here on WalkBikeJersey first!

Mandatory Bike Registration Proposed in NJ Legislature

January 6th by Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker (D)Newark introduced Bill A3657 that if passed, would require all bicycles ridden on public highways or public land in NJ to pay a $10 biennial (24 mo.) registration fee or face a $100 fine for each offense.

This bill would require bicycles ridden on public highways or lands to be registered with the Motor Vehicle Commission and display license plates (out of state bicycles are exempt). Bicycle registrations would be valid for two years, and the commission could charge up to $10 as an annual registration fee to defray the costs of the program. The bill specifies that if the owner of a bicycle is under 15 years of age, the owners parent or guardian may register it in their stead.

Under the bill, a person who violates any of the bicycle registration provisions would be subject to a fine up to $100 for each offense. In addition, the bill authorizes the chief administrator to suspend or revoke a bicycle registration for any violation of the laws, rules, or regulations regarding their operation.

This anti-bicycling bill needs to be defeated, look for more information on taking action in the next few days. In the meantime you can contact your State Assembly Representatives and ask them to oppose A3657.

Find and Contact your State Legislators.

Sample text:

I am opposed to A3657 - mandatory registration of bicycles. Mandatory registration is unpopular with constituents, expensive to manage and and almost impossible to enforce. It may also be a burden to citizens who rely on bicycles for low cost transportation and hurt the bicycle industry in New Jersey. Many locations have repealed mandatory legislation.

The State Legislature would be wise to look at ways to improve bicycling in our state by introducing legislation that can reduce bicycle crashes through engineering, education and enforcement.