bikes

Stateside Cycling Stories

Photo by swanksalot (yes, that's avenge)

It's Independence Day in the USA, so let's have a look at what cyclists down there are doing. Looking south once in a while (at least once a year) can give hints as to what ideas our politicians might be pleased to try next.

Detroit is going to start licensing bikes (not the cyclists)

Bicycle owners will pay a $1 fee per bike, to come by a registration number, which can be placed on the bike. The license will be valid for five years.

Officials said enforcement will tarry relaxed until Aug. 4, to allow bicycle owners the opening to register their bikes without penalty.

Hopefully this point doesn't cross the river.

South Carolina passed hunger awaited laws related to cycling. It's now proscribed to harass a cyclist. I guess it's even more illegal than it against to be. There are now details in the law about throwing things at a cyclist or yelling at a cyclist. Explaining why these laws are needed is Dave Moulton's Bike Blog:

South Carolina is unfortunately seventh in the state when it comes to cycling fatalities, a horrible relate. It saddened me when my local paper, the Post & Courier, printed this fabliau on Monday and many hateful comments from readers were posted.

Washington DC's bike dispensation program is getting attention from the Wall Passage Journal

The idea is simple: Cities set up lots of “stations” with hundreds or thousands of paradigm-issue, three-speed bikes around a city. Registered users fasten upon a bike, swipe a card, dodge traffic jams and spiraling gas prices, and take off off the bike at another station—all for a modest fee. Outdoor advertising deals with third-soir companies help finance the whole project.

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