Like automobiles and motorcycles, bicyclists are subject to traffic law enforcement in New York City. Unfortunately, it is hard to see that when one sees bicycles ripping down city sidewalks, running red lights and frightening the daylights out of pedestrians. If City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Queens) has his way, all that lawlessness may start to change.
Ulrich has introduced a bill into the City Council that would require adult bicyclists to have a tag on their bicycles, as well as an official ID card.The legislation is being proposed in response to a large increase in the number of daily bicycle commuters, from 8,499 in 2006 to 17,451 today.
Already, cyclist groups are lobbying against the measure.The New York Post quotes Kim Martineau of Transportation Alternatives as follows.
"We're adamantly opposed to any legislation that would require licensing or registration of bicycles,The deterrent effect it would have on cycling would be enormous."
The city is already adding 50 miles of bike lanes a year, as well as encouraging people to use bicycles for transportation. A person who is injured by a motorist can sue the insurance company of the motorist. What recourse does a person have who is hit by a bicyclist? Someone could be crippled or killed by a reckless cyclist and have no hope of recovering damages under the present system. Bicyclists should not be allowed to become like sacred cows milling through New York City streets. Not only should they be licensed, they should be insured as well.
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http://globetribune.info/2011/01/15/id-a...