Brooklyn City Councilman David Greenfield does not seem to be a big fan of bicycles. Durring the blizzard he complained about bike lanes being plowed and today he has introduced legislation that would require all bicycles used for commercial purposes to be registered, have license plates and insurance or face being stripped of their vehicles. At least it is a step down from Councilman Eric Ulrich's January proposal to license all bicycles?
"Messengers and folks who work for restaurants tend to be the worst [traffic law] offenders," Greenfield told the Daily News. "They have a financial incentive to be reckless drivers...It's the Wild West of transportation."
Under Greenfield's proposal companies would have to register their employee's bicycles and have proof of insurance or face a $1,000 fine and the chance that the police would confiscate unregistered rides. "License plates are the great equalizer," Greenfield elaborated. "If you have a license plate, you're responsible. Everyone knows who you are. They know who's in charge and we can track you down."
Restaurants, who are already getting heat for the increasingly prevalent electric bicycles, are expected to fight back against this proposed legislation as they already insure their delivery guys. In fact, deliverymen are already required by law to post info about their employers on their bikes and wear clothing identifying their business.
