The Chainlink

Writing on the wall: no more fixies, and license plates for all

The Philadelphia City Council is currently debating a new law that would make brakeless fixies illegal, and require bicycles to register and carry license plates, just as all motor vehicles must:

...City Councilman James Kenney...introduced bills...to increase penalties for...riding bikes without [a] brake, and to mandate registration and bicycle license plates....

An interesting discussion of this proposal is on the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia's website. But as the number of bicycles in major cities increases, I believe we can expect more attempts to regulate bike riders, and make us conform to existing traffic laws written for motor vehicles. In other words, here in Chicago it is not a question of "if" but "when" we will see similar misguided attempts to regulate bicycles...

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Permalink Reply by Tim M Hovey on December 4, 2009 at 1:44pm
its all just another reason for them to take our money.
Permalink Reply by Joe Studer 8.0 mi on December 4, 2009 at 2:44pm
Clark said:
How many of us have ever tried to "register" our bicycles? I know I haven't...

Actually, one can register his or her bike with the Chicago Police department online, quite easily. Registering your bicycle might prove beneficial if your bicycle is ever stolen.
Permalink Reply by Joe Studer 8.0 mi on December 4, 2009 at 2:55pm
I gotta say, I don't have a real problem with requiring a bike to have a brake.

Coincidentally, there were some letters posted to VeloNews today on this topic: Fixies and Brakes
Permalink Reply by Brendan Kevenides on December 4, 2009 at 2:59pm
We must stay vigilant in order to prevent unreasonable proposals like that cited above from becoming law here in Illinois. However, there does not seem to be a nationwide trend to outlaw fixed gear bikes. As a matter of fact, in July, 2006 one jurisdiction, the District of Columbia, amended its vehicle code to explicitly declare that fixed gear need not have a "separate brake." Even without traditional brakes, I believe these bikes are legal under existing Illinois law.
Permalink Reply by Joe Studer 8.0 mi on December 4, 2009 at 3:13pm
Chicago Bicycle Advocate said:
However, there does not seem to be a nationwide trend to outlaw fixed gear bikes.

Right. I don't understand how requiring a bike to have a brake is equivalent to "outlawing" fixed gear bikes. As BSNYC said today:

While I don't support passage of the laws they're proposing in Philadelphia, and while people everywhere should be free to ride their "fixies" unmolested, I also don't know why it isn't completely obvious to everybody in the world that a fixed-gear hub is not a freaking brake. People might as well argue that their ironic mustaches qualify as brakes since they can use the wind resistance to slow themselves down.
Permalink Reply by Duppie on December 4, 2009 at 4:12pm
BSNYC, the king of Snark. My day is not complete without reading his musings

Joe said:
Chicago Bicycle Advocate said:
However, there does not seem to be a nationwide trend to outlaw fixed gear bikes.

Right. I don't understand how requiring a bike to have a brake is equivalent to "outlawing" fixed gear bikes. As BSNYC said today:

While I don't support passage of the laws they're proposing in Philadelphia, and while people everywhere should be free to ride their "fixies" unmolested, I also don't know why it isn't completely obvious to everybody in the world that a fixed-gear hub is not a freaking brake. People might as well argue that their ironic mustaches qualify as brakes since they can use the wind resistance to slow themselves down.
Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on December 4, 2009 at 5:55pm
And let's not forget the whole "You don't pay for the roads, so you shouldn't be on them" argument put forth by ignorant motorists.

"I'm sorry. This numbered plate begs to differ."

And what about the forest preserve trails? Aren't those open to all, regardless of vehicle or registration?

It'll be fun if someone is actually stupid enough to try giving this a go.


Gabe said:
This keeps coming up. It's nonsense. Everyone needs a license plate? What if I only ride on weekends? Own 3 bikes? 6 year olds need plates?
A bigger issue would be if they require plates on bikes then they are acknowledging that bikes use the road. this creates 2 problems for the city that they don't want. First, if we are now acknowledged as users of the road then we can openly make demands that we expect to be done because we are paying for them. Also the many of the laws in Chicago/Illinois would need to be rewritten. Good luck with the plates thing! ;-)
Permalink Reply by Primitive Don on December 4, 2009 at 6:42pm
I wouldn't be surprised if the City Council would enact licensing plate requirements and brake requirements, as a way to generate revenue (plates) and as a way to exercise some of their limited power.
Permalink Reply by Vilda on December 4, 2009 at 6:43pm
I like it Ryan! ;-) I'll have my lil plate and some ass from the burbs will be riding on the Lake Shore Path without one and i'm gonna kick him right off his ride! ;-) I love this idea!! Pass the law!;-)
Permalink Reply by T.C. O'Rourke on December 6, 2009 at 12:52am
For the record, it is already illegal to ride a brake-less bicycle in the city of Chicago.

Which makes it all the more badass.

T.C.

"They can have my fixie when the EMT's pry it out of my still warm dead hands."
Permalink Reply by Rachel on December 6, 2009 at 5:54pm
I took a bike-license exam as a kid in the 70s in a burb of NYC. Had to show I knew the hand signals.

The problem is enforcement against bikes will be disproportionate compared to enforcement against cars. The city currently fails to enforce auto traffic violations. Transportation Alternatives is always studying this in NY and: enforcing traffic violations is unappealing to cops because they never meet the person they might save. It doesn't feel like a real crime because it's preventive work.

If the city won't enforce auto laws, how would they enforce bike laws? I fear they may with a special zest simply out of bias against bikes.

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