Quantum Windbag
Gold Member
- May 9, 2010
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The whole reason that the government can require fees as well as regulate features in vehicles is that they use public roads, and thus if you want to use said roads, you have to follow said regulations.
Going by this reason, what is the real difference between bikes and cars? Both are vehicles, and both when used to commute/travel use public roads. By logic the state can require certain features on the bikes, just as the cars, and can require thier registration/inspection to assure that the rules are followed.
I would, howver, say having to register bikes used by kids, or bikes for recreation, such as in parks, or on non roadways is pretty stupid.
Stick with that last part. Ticketing not wearing a helmet, unsafe riders, or for traffic infractions, unsafe bike, go for it.
The issue is that when it comes to cars, since you need to carry your license with you when driving, the police automatically can ID you for your infraction.
Being on a bike is different. We dont need to carry ID with us when just walking around biking, and any attempts to force a sort of national ID have always been met with resistance. Making bike registration mandatory is kind of an end run around it, as the bike has to be registered to someone, and that person can then get the ticket without forcing bikers to start trying to get a "biking licsence"
In most states if the police are issuing a citation they can detain you until they are satisfied that they have properly identified you. That means they can stick you in the back of a car and drive you down to the police station, and have you post bail, even for a traffic ticket.