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Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Bike stop and frisk campaign

NOPD issued a press release today emphasizing some of the city's bicycle ordinances.  These are all regulations that have been on the books for years but one assumes this  presages an enforcement crackdown.  A lot of these are tedious and unnecessary but here is the critical one.
Sec. 154-1403. - Registration required.
No person who resides in the city shall ride or propel a bicycle upon any street unless such bicycle has been registered and a registration plate is attached thereto. This section shall be applicable to new residents of the parish at the expiration of 90 days.
No one registers their bicycle.  There are other rules on this list that few people follow but the registration bit is the one no one is even likely to know how to comply with.  It's actually kind of a mysterious process and was almost made even worse in 2010.
Bicycle registration typically is $3, but for bikes without a receipt, the city requires a notarized affidavit, and total registration can cost up to $35. At the event, Bike Easy will pay the notary, and the Fraternal Order of Police will pay the licensing fee. To register, bring your bike and a photo ID. Bike Easy also will offer free bicycle safety training from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

In 2010, New Orleans City Council was set to consider a sweeping bike registration ordinance but it was pulled from the agenda. It would've updated the existing law — adopted in 1987 and requiring each bike pay a $3 registration fee — to enforce a $15 fee.
 
That's from an article about a "free registration" event that took place last year.  I'm actually having trouble figuring out what the normal procedure for registering a bicycle even is.  What this is telling everyone is that the police have cause to stop you pretty much just for being on your bike.  That, and that they would like to ticket you for more things. The fine for riding an unregistered bike is apparently $100.

So anyway, be careful out there.  Maybe it's safest just to stay indoors under a blanket.  (Blanket registration $50)

1 comment:

whynotnow said...

Would that be a Blanket Policy? (I love your blog; it makes me feel like I'm back home.)