Bike License Assemblyman Envisions Cameras in Bike Lanes, Too

This afternoon we spoke with State Assemblyman Michael DenDekker, a Queens Democrat who has introduced legislation that would require every bicycle in New York State to have a license plate. The registration and inspection fee would cost $25 for "private" (i.e. non-commercial) bicyclists and $50 for commercial bicyclists, with a $5 fee every subsequent year to renew the license. Reached by phone, DenDekker elaborated on the bill, and said he looks forward to the day when cameras in bike lanes will help identify scofflaw cyclists and hold them to the same standard of accountability as drivers. (We're assuming motorists and police officers in bike lanes would continue to be exempt from any enforcement.)

Where did this idea come from and why? I had various constituents contact me concerning bicyclists in the Woodside/Jackson Heights area that don't obey the traffic rules, that are driving down streets the wrong way, driving on sidewalks and actually being very reckless. And their concern is that when they do this there is no way to report them because there is no way to identify the bicyclists, per se, so that has been the reason for it. It's just natural now that we're investing so many resources into making this the new mode of transportation, which I'm all for, we're just going to need to regulate and register the bicycles so we know who everybody is who is sharing the road with us.

Did you consult with the DOT or with any cyclist groups before introducing this? No, I did not discuss this with any cyclist groups. It's a piece of State Legislation and as far as the DOT, I consulted them only for numbers concerning the amount of money that we were spending on lanes and how many more bike lanes they were projecting in the future, as well as how they believe that this form of transportation would be 10 or 20 years out.

Do you have support for this in the Senate or among your colleagues in the Assembly? We just introduced the bill last week, we'll have to see. Some people are going to be for it and some people are going to be against it and it will bring up debate and discussion. I'm always willing to talk and negotiate any idea.

Is there anything in there about what the penalty would be if someone was riding a bike without a license plate? No, there is no penalty aspect to this yet but, again, we have penalties currently for people who are riding without a helmet, not riding with proper lights, not riding in the right direction, and those aren't being enforced either, which I believe speaks to a lack of manpower in the police department and maybe the priority of how people feel about trying to enact every piece of legislation that's currently out there.

Although we do come out with alternatives to enforcement issues, putting cameras in bus lanes, for example, it's the same kind of thing we may be able to do someday with bicycle lanes. We would put cameras in bicycle lanes to make sure that bicyclists are wearing their helmets and have their lights on and are riding in a manner which is accustomed to the lane or if they're being reckless and endangering and hurting others. I believe it also gives more credibility to bicyclists, making them more a part of the road.

So eventually, if the bicyclist had a license plate and there was a camera in the bike lane, it could be the same effect as when a driver goes through the red light and a camera catches it? It would be similar to that, that's correct. This is just the beginning aspect of this piece of legislation, I'm sure there will be a lot of public debate on this, and that's good because that's what we need. We need to discuss it and figure out what the future is of bicycles in the State of New York, not just in the city.

They're sharing roadways now and it's very important that they have that credibility and respect, just like we have for motorcyclists, for example. I think it will be a positive thing and actually be better for bicyclists in the long run. Especially those that are law-abiding and ride according to the law, they should be happier. And possibly the money that is being spent on license plates could be used to make improvements for more bicycle lanes and more areas to park bicycles.

(In a statement, DenDekker also explained that private bicyclists under the age of 18 would be issued license plates that would bear a distinctive identifying mark to be determined by the New York State Commissioner of Transportation. "Each year, more and more bicyclists take to the streets of our state," DenDekker concludes. “Now is the time to institute regulations by which the bicycling - and pedestrian - communities can safely coexist.”)

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in News on February 28, 2011 2:29 PM

Comments [rss]

MisterBlimp

OK, I am way late to the party here but still had to comment.

When Bicycles have the same level of shared usage of the transportation infrastructure I won't have a problem with getting a license for my bike. This includes things such as appropriate parking, and accepted integrated traffic.

Until then it posses many problems the least of which is how this will affect the courts. There is no way they can handle the influx of bicycle related cases this will create.

Other issues with this are does the under 18 designation mean no enforcement will be performed. So under eighteen year olds can break all of the related laws?

The expectation is this would generate funds (obviously the court costs weren't considered) but has anyone looked into this? I presently own 10 bicycles, each with their own function (hybrid for shopping, MTB for on and off road fun, fixed gear for workouts, touring and beach bikes for boardwalk rides, road bike for long rides and road bike for regular club rides, guest bikes for visiting friends, etc). This law would require I make some hard decisions on how many bikes I could afford to continue to own. At five dollars each (a fee which would probably increase over time as the Car License has) would become an issue but the first year fee would mean I couldn't continue to ride as many bikes as I own.

My first thought on this is I would probably have to get rid of the bikes I use the least or could do without. My thought process would follow along the lines of something like: would I be etter off losing my shopping hybrid since I have a car and can't really do large shopping with that bike and go back to using the car for these trips or should I lose the single speed bike because the level of exercise I get from it is something I don't reall need, it's just something I desire.

The further financial downfall of this would be I would spend less on my bikes - less on bike clothes and equipment - equating to less shopping at bike related stores and on bike related products - less money entering the economy,

sugaray

Dear Assemblyman DenDekker, clearly an idea this spectacularly moronic could only be proposed, published and even taken seriously enough to comment upon, if it were authored by someone in government. A NYS resident myself, we have come to expect a lesser level of common sense and, I fear, intelligence, from those who seek and hold public office. I only hope this was not "you on a good day".

I'm with "bikebike", in a previous note: I think, based upon DenDekker's clear leadership skills, we should organize a bike ride OUT of NY state!

bikebike

What a stupid idea. Sounds like they just want more money out of my pocket. If they pass this "tax" I will give up my bike and start walking.................. right out of this state! I am so tired of these crooks stealing my money.

bikebike

Strange how Democrats want to eliminate salt and fat in food to promote a healthy lifestyle but want to put a tax on a healthy activity like riding a bike. There are a lot of people with back or knee problems that use bike riding as a healthy activity. It looks like they just want to reach into my pocket and take my money. Well, enact the tax and I will give up my bike. Let's see if they can tax walking........... right out of New York State!

Outspoken416

PS for those of you who say politicans dont understand because they drive cars.. Our NYS senator rides his bike EVERYWHERE he goes.. he must not understand either right?..

Outspoken416

Again many of you are quite ignorant. I agree with this bill somewhat, especially when it comes to the city. Bloomberg was so forthgoing about making special bikelanes for bicycle riders where many times if cars drive in we get a ticket..so why shouldnt they need to register their bike an pay something towards what they have received. I have seen many almost deadly accidents in Manhattan as well as bikers who carelessly wearve in and out of traffic almost causing automobile accidents as well. Their are already MANY laws regarding bicyclists none of which are followed. INCLUDING wearing a helmet. So for those of you who are qucik to say "The assemblymen has to brush up on his laws" maybe you should do the same before you embarass yourself. Here is a link.. START STUDYING =) http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/do...

Steve Nesselroth

You are entitled to your own opinions, but you are not entitled to your own facts. Read the rules that you told everyone else to read: ONLY commercial bicyclists and children under 14 are required to wear helmets. YOU have just embarrassed youself

Outspoken416

Yes now why dont you READ what I wrote? Did I specify anything directly? Here allow me to help you.. I said.. "Their are already MANY laws regarding bicyclists none of which are followed. INCLUDING wearing a helmet." MANY laws REGARDING BICYCLISTS.. Bicyclists being in general. I believe children under 14 as well as commercial bicyclists both fall under the categorgy of being "general". Hope this clarified it for you.

mikes138

Maybe NYC should be annexed from the rest of the state.This would stop some assemblyman that has never been out in the real world from making me register my shoes.Don't you have anything else to pay attention to?We all need less regulation over everything we do.DenDekker have you ever even ridden a bicycle?

woodswittdealy

Join the fight for our right to ride in Central Park.

http://www.change.org/petition...

Ragingsemi

Why don't we also put up cameras in front of all the "massage parlors" and see which assembly men are getting "massages" .

Prochoice Family Doc

I don't mind paying a modest fee every year, but bike license plates just aren't going to work. They're too easy to steal. Ironically, when I first read the headline I assumed the cameras were to give tickets to cars parked in the bike lane. How wrong I was!

RevWaldo

"In the top story of the day, General Wallace Nasami, head of the emerging nation of Nibia, denied his new government was a dictatorship and promised free elections as soon as each citizen of the small country learned to play a musical instrument."

random transplant

Would DenDekker support these two bills (plus video camera's) even if it meant they had to be funded by State taxpayers, and how much of a budget is he willing to requisition?

Would DenDekker support camera's and the creation of 'biker liability insurance' even if that resulted in insurance claims against drivers being pursued by the biker's insurance companies?

Is DenDekker aware that people wishing to avoid bike-lane-camera's are not legally obligated to bike inside a bike lane?

John

What is wrong with downstate Assemblymen? There is absolutely no need for this legislation except to take in more money, from our kids no less! Control freaks.

luke_1

"(In a statement, DenDekker also explained that private bicyclists under the age of 18 would be issued license plates that would bear a distinctive identifying mark to be determined by the New York State Commissioner of Transportation. "Each year, more and more bicyclists take to the streets of our state," DenDekker concludes. “Now is the time to institute regulations by which the bicycling - and pedestrian - communities can safely coexist.”)"

This is a great idea. Like learners' plates in other countries. How about we do it for cars. You know, the mullti-ton hulks that actually kill people. Cyclist: body weight + 20-30 pounds, 1/4 horsepower motor. Car: 3000 pounds if you are lucky, ~100 horsepower plus (ski is the limit), quite hard to the touch and rather large.

BUT YES THIS ALL MAKES SENSE TO ME! Cyclists are dangerous. I am convinced. We must do something about this non-issue!

Fronko

I'm sure all those people calling the police on cyclists with license plates will also be able to see that tiny identifying mark on it, too.

heyhohey

It's really ridiculous that this guy is introducing legislation to regulate bikes when he clearly doesn't know anything about biking or bike laws.

Fronko

You know how well it works when you see a driver do something illegal, like run a red light, and then call 311 and the problem gets solved 100% immediately? This will be just like that.

Peter

How about pedestrians who with traffic whats next a license plate on your back to walk down the street; if a politician see's this they may do it.