On January 6th 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.
----
The backstory behind this bill is that elderly pedestrians in Newark have been complaining about sidewalk bicyclists spooking them. Sound familiar? In one way it's a positive sign - the bicycle is growing as a transportation choice in the City. A better solution to statewide registration needs better on-road accommodations to coax timid cyclists off the sidewalk. Other strategy's include and educational outreach campaign and a local ordinance that restricts adult sidewalk riding.
While this anti-bicycling bill needs to be defeated, it doesn't look like it's going anywhere fast. Assemblywoman Tucker is the only sponsor of this bill, there are currently no co-sponsors. There is also no equivalent bill in the State Senate.
The best strategy at this point is to ensure that your home district Assembly Reps don't sign on.
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 Many locations have repealed mandatory legislation.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.
Click here for the statewide action alert posted by the New Jersey Bike and Walk Coalition
This is the legacy blog of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia. It is an archive of posts from 2003 to 2014. Making your ride better since 1972. https://www.bicyclecoalition.org
2 comments:
What a horrible, onerous mess which will only serve to make things more difficult for cyclists, the DMV, and not improve the situation for pedestrians. The solution for cyclists on the sidwalk is 1) better bike facilities, 2) education and 3) enforcement. All of which I would welcome.
If the goal is revenue then a small tax on new bicycles / certain bike products (tires, etc.) (that would go to cyclist-related infrastructure and activities) could raise as much revenue without being incredibly annoying (how many bikes do you have and can you imagine having to worry about registering them all every two years?)
I have no problem with holding cyclists responsible and making them pay into infrastructure funds (and our infrastructure costs a lot less if it's not being engineered to withstand car weights) but this is not the way to get better participation.
I could get behind this a little better if it also allowed the administrator (or police?) to suspend or revoke any motor vehicle registration for any violation of the laws, rules, or regulations regarding their operation.
Post a Comment