As the original author of the Statewide Bicycle Registration System, I would urge Mpls not to remove the requirement. Low as participation has been, this step would make it even worse. Here are a set of reasons to keep it.
-the law and ordinance was passed as part of an effort to be sure that the bicycle was considered to be a vehicle with the rights and responsibilities of vehicles. Registration aids in this concept. The law was written and supported by all bicycle groups. -It is not only an aid to getting your bike back, if stolen, but it reduces police wasted time in dealing with recovered bikes. The law was supported by police forces throughout the state, who would have liked to see it mandatory everywhere. (The compromise was to leave this at the discretion of the municipality). -It is also a safety feature, primarily for children who don't carry wallets and drivers licences with them. There was a least one story of a child in an accident (unconscious) identified only because he was riding a registered bike. -At $10 for three years it's a pretty cheap insurance policy. I had a bike recovered once and that paid for my lifetime of registrations. - Insurance companies liked it too. They preferred to have bikes recovered than pay claims. Are there changes needed? Yes!! Get rid of any ability to confiscate a bike unless there is positive evidence that it is stolen. Make registration easier and more accessible. Right now its at any Motor Vehicle registration office, and some bike shops and the U of M police dept. I'm sure there are other places also. I just renewed my registration for one bike and registered two others at the U of M stop and it took all of 15 minutes. Finally if we encouraged bike registration statewide, it could be a serious source of funding for trails and other bike facilities just as is the registration systems for snowmobiles and ATVs. This chunk of $$ coming into the state's treasury (even when it is in special funds) is what gives these groups their political potency. More info later...probably more than anyone wants. Phyllis Kahn State Rep 59B _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
