i found this most interesting, re: “why” you purchased a bike license in the city of Santa Monica: “I simply — and some might add irrationally (or worse) — like having it on record that the bike is mine and I’m the bike’s. No matter how worthlessly removable the actual license is, no matter how ridiculously long the odds are that the bike if stolen would be recovered or that the license would aid in its return to me, it is satisfying to me to have done so.”

this line made me pause. so, i rewrote it in my head as if you were talking about a marriage license.

“I simply – and some might add irrationally (or worse) – like having on record that this woman (or man) is mine and i’m the woman’s (or man’s). No matter how worthlessly removable the actual (marriage) license is, no matter how ridiculously long the odds are that my woman (or man) would cheat (stolen away from me) i could recover her or that the (marriage) license would aid in her (or his) return to me, it is satisfying to me to have done so.”

i found that funny, thought i’d share.

i do, however, appreciate the blog. it’s always interesting and educational to read the opposite opinion.

thanks, Will Campbell

and after reading Mihai’s comment above, well, can we not write up “something” that expresses the hypocrisy here? and ultimately challenge them with the way we should be treated by rewriting what fits better for cyclists? i have no idea. this isn’t my game. but what i’ve learned in the past, is that either you become the martyr or take them down from the inside – that’s not Hollywood talk, that’s historical (i can reference those examples).

Dear Ms. Bond,

Although I am not able to address the amendment of this law, I can address the police department’s persepctive on bicycle licenses. If a bicycle is stolen and the owner reports it to the PD, we always request serial numbers and/or bicycle license information. The reason for requesting this information is so that it can be entered into the stolen property database. When we recover bicycles we always run the serial numbers in an effort to return it to its rightful owner. Unfortunately, most bicycle owners do not record the serial numbers, and thus the bicycles cannot be returned. In addition, the mere fact a bicycle has a license can also be a deterrent to potential thiefs. The PD rarely issues citations for this violation, and those that have been issued are in conjuction with other violations.

So, in conclusion, we do encourage bicycle owners to obtain bicycle licenses because it assists us in the return of bicycles should they be stolen. But, in no way is this seen as a tool to stop bicyclists unnecessarily. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Kathy Keane
Lieutenant
SMPD – Traffic
(310) 458-8430

Now if the City of Santa Monica would at least offer a consolatory gift for those that have their licensed bike stolen, like, let’s say, a Rice Krispies treat or Snickers w/ Almonds bar, then I would be relatively supportive of bike licenses. But in all honestly, the argument that bike license stop bike theft is rather silly. If thieves have tools to cut cables, and in most cases, actually grind down the serial numbers on the frame, then what makes you think they won’t take the 20 seconds to scrape off the license sticker off a bike?!?

Kathy Keane is the head of traffic (as you learned), and was head of traffic throughout the hassling of Critical Mass.

Interesting interaction you had – good call making the call. Mihai Peteu has been trying to get SMPD to pursue specific bike thefts to no avail, so I wonder what he would think of this.

Although I am not able to address the amendment of this law, I can address the police department’s persepctive on bicycle licenses. If a bicycle is stolen and the owner reports it to the PD, we always request serial numbers and/or bicycle license information. The reason for requesting this information is so that it can be entered into the stolen property database. When we recover bicycles we always run the serial numbers in an effort to return it to its rightful owner. Unfortunately, most bicycle owners do not record the serial numbers, and thus the bicycles cannot be returned. In addition, the mere fact a bicycle has a license can also be a deterrent to potential thiefs. The PD rarely issues citations for this violation, and those that have been issued are in conjuction with other violations.

So, in conclusion, we do encourage bicycle owners to obtain bicycle licenses because it assists us in the return of bicycles should they be stolen. But, in no way is this seen as a tool to stop bicyclists unnecessarily. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Kathy Keane
Lieutenant
SMPD – Traffic
(310) 458-8430

Regardless, the law is ridiculous, and we’ll be working to change it.

Even without the California Vehicle Code issue, it sounds as if Santa Monica PD could impose this law on someone regardless of where they live. Is that correct? What if I live in a city that doesn’t have a bike registration program, and I bike through Santa Monica?