Why Do People Think Forcing Other People To Pay Licensing Fees To The Government Will Improve Their Behavior?
NYT letter to the editor from Grace Brophy:
If only there were a law requiring cyclists to be licensed!I'd buy one of those cameras referred to in the article so I could have evidence of the two to three times a day that I'm assaulted by cyclists on New York City streets.
Her letter was in response to this article, about cyclists' wearable cameras.
There are already traffic laws, and if cyclists disobey them, they can be stopped by a cop. Why grown adults think government involvement is some magical power that will make everything hunky-dory, I just don't understand.
Your title says it all.
The licensing requirements for driving a car are significantly different. All the driver training classes barely touch on bicycling.
Throw in -- what about a ten - twelve year old -- do they need a license too?
Jim P. at July 30, 2012 6:58 AM
Is assault by aggressive cyclists really a problem in New York? Did I miss something?
Cousin Dave at July 30, 2012 7:05 AM
Oh, pass a law about something I don't like, and the problem will go away? I'll have to remember that.
Old RPM Daddy at July 30, 2012 7:40 AM
I might make sense if she was asking that bicycles be licensed so the license number could be used to identify the cyclist.
Steamer at July 30, 2012 7:55 AM
I might make sense if i used the proper pronoun.
It might make sense...
Steamer at July 30, 2012 8:06 AM
I think licensing for bicycles riders is a good idea. Bikes as well. Right now a bicycle rider can do minor infractions - basically the only things bicyclists can do such as running a red light - only only a pay a minor fine. They can't have their right to ride their bicycle on the road, etc. revoked.
The Former Banker at July 30, 2012 8:52 AM
Why not license skate boarders, roller bladers, wheel chair riders, and walkers too?
Idiocy.
Robert at July 30, 2012 1:36 PM
Bikies are more likely to remove themselves from the gene pool with their bad behaviour.
I've often commented that a driver's license is still cheaper than a DOG license, plus no rabies shot required... though some drivers act like they missed theirs. We seem to get what we pay for.
Maybe bikies would generally be more compliant if they followed the same rules we boomers had growing up... stuff like: look both ways and WAIT before charging into a busy street. Nowadays every pedestrian I see is more focused on her cell phone than making it across a street.
jefe at July 30, 2012 9:21 PM
I don't live in New York, but "assaulted two or three times a day" by cyclists? Really? That sounds very difficult to believe.
Surely if you are being 'assaulted' multiple times a day by cyclists, you are probably doing something very wrong to them in the first place?
Or is every single New Yorker assaulted by cyclists daily, or just her? Any New Yorkers care to chip in?
Lobster at July 31, 2012 10:42 AM
Same as all the screaming about idiots texting while driving: it's not good enough to ticket them for careless or reckless driving oh no, there has to be a SPECIAL law passed just for this!
Firehand at August 4, 2012 8:22 PM
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