Looks like our state lawmakers are at it again. Looking out for us by proposing a bicycle registration that would require anyone 16 years old or older to register it for a $10 fee. They are saying the fees collected will be used to pay for bicycle safety training. Just another way of getting more money out of its citizens. https://www.wfmynews2.com/video/news/north-carolina-and-bicycle.
There are many, many laws proposed every year in the legislature, that go nowhere and die without ever being considered. I foresee this being one such bill.
Agreed. Here's the text anyway: GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINASESSION 2019H DHOUSE BILL DRH40082-MWf-48 Short Title: DMV/Registration of Bicycles. (Public)Sponsors: Representative Elmore (By Request).Referred to: *DRH40082-MWf-48* A BILL TO BE ENTITLED1AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE OWNER OF A BICYCLE TO REGISTER THE BICYCLE WITH2THE DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES.3The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:4 SECTION 1. Article 3 of Chapter 20 of the General Statutes is amended by adding5a new section to read:6" § 20-53.6. Registration of Bicycles. 7(a) Registration. – Each bicycle used, by a person 16 years or older, on a public street or8highway shall be registered with the Division. The owner of a bicycle is not required to apply9for, and the Division is not required to issue, a certificate of title.10(b) Fees. – The annual bicycle registration fee shall be ten dollars ($10.00). The fees shall11 be used by the Department of Transportation for bicycle safety related projects, including bicycle12lanes, signage, safety education, and bicycle helmet grants for minors.13(c) Registration Plates. – The Division shall issue a registration card and registration plate14suitably sized for a bicycle to be attached to the rear of the bicycle.15(d) Penalties. – Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of an infraction16 punishable by a fine of not more than twenty-five dollars ($25.00)."17 SECTION 2. This act becomes effective December 1, 2019. For the six months18immediately after the effective date of this act, law enforcement shall only issue warning tickets19for offenses committed.
Considering bicycle riders have the legal right to occupy the lane of a highway, shouldn't they help pay for bike lanes rather than the money coming from the gas taxes of everyone else? Just sayin'
I would normally agree there, but what about the majority of people that probably never ride their bike in a bike lane? Many people just have a mountain bike and ride off road, or ride on trails and greenways. You are probably talking about over 5 million bikes in NC, I highly doubt most of them use bike lanes regularly. Should everyone with a bike have to pay for a license plate for their bike? What about people that take their bike out once or twice a year only at a park?
Those people would either not be riding on a public road or should be wanting a bike lane. Those people would not be impacted as they are not on a "public street or highway" and would not be required to be registered. Each bicycle used, by a person 16 years or older, on a public street or8highway shall be registered with the Division. Nope, and the law says as much. Again, nope and, again, the law would exempt them from registration.
The only issue I see with the proposed law is the uncommon event that a bicycle is the sole form of transport for someone under the poverty level, which should also be exempted. I have seen a couple of homeless people who used their bikes as a carrier for their belongings. They did not ride them so that might be a point of confusion on the application of the law or the need for a specific exemption as well.
