Regina to end bicycle licensing
CBC News | Posted: April 9, 2015 11:30 AM | Last Updated: April 9, 2015
Turns out it doesn't help recover lost, stolen bikes
The City of Regina is preparing to scrap its bicycle licensing program, saying it isn't working and hardly anybody is buying them, anyway.
Under the city's Traffic Bylaw, it's mandatory for citizens to buy licences for their bikes.
It is presumed the vast majority of bicycles on the road are unlicensed. - April 9 report to city hall committee
Furthermore, it's illegal to ride a bike on public property without a licence.
It costs just $5 and lasts a lifetime. The city says it sells 150 to 200 of them a year.
However, "it is presumed the vast majority of bicycles on the road are unlicensed," says a report going to a city committee on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Regina police service hasn't ticketed anybody for an unlicensed bike in five years.
One of supposed benefits is that they help people recover their lost or stolen bikes.
A three per cent return rate does not indicate a successful program. - April 9 report to city hall committee
However, a review of the program has determined that of the approximately 150 bikes recovered by the police every year, only five or so get back to their owners thanks to licensing.
"A three per cent return rate does not indicate a successful program," the report to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee says.
The proposed change would simply strike the section on bike licensing from the Traffic Bylaw.
If the committee gives the plan the green light, it will go to City Council on April 27 for a final decision.
No matter what happens, the city says police will maintain their records of existing licences.