Comments on: To Do: Bicycle Registry, Transit Station

By: Phillip Farber

Phillip Farber — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 23:24:36 +0000

Thanks, David. I cringe too and try to ride as an example. I have noticed more cyclists waiting at red lights over the last year or so by comparison with the past. It grinds me when I’m waiting and some knuckle-head blows through the red. As far as I can tell, enforcement is not a priority for the City and police department. It would be great if parents got involved but how many of them know what to teach or even ride bikes themselves? WBWC has a presence through information tables at a number of local events. They provide the LMB “What every Michigan Bicyclist Must Know” brochure and constantly get questions about the best local bike routes for getting around town. In spite of the web, this information is not readily available. The thinking is that the registration event is a prime opportunity to communicate these resources and promote on-road cycling. With a reasonable fee structure it could be self-supporting. I think we need to try as many things as possible to get more people to switch from cars to bikes. The status quo is not sustainable.

By: David

David — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 03:25:23 +0000

Phillip, I was probaby a little bit over the top with my comment, my apology. However, I am really tired of every group in Ann Arbor seeking financial support from the city. I really don’t see the need for a bicycle registration system nor the need for production of bicycling documents. A lot of free material is available on rules of the road, safety, etc are on the web and one can access bike maps there as well. Parents should step up and train their childern properly on the bike rules of the road. As for adult cyclists, I do not believe education through brochures, etc will be effective. There needs to be enforcement of current rules by police officers. A bicycle ticket needs to add points to your drivers license as is done in New York State. I am a bicyclist and I make every effort to follow the rules of the road for the safety of myself and others. I cringe when I see other bicyclists flaunt the rules and common sense.

By: Dr Data

Dr Data — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 23:00:06 +0000

It sounds as though the “interweb” has not been invented yet. Most of this could be done on-line, if we saw a use/reason for it, including the maps (as pdfs). Having maps, etc. at bicycle shops is nice, but then you have to keep distributing the items. If your maps are really nice, the bicycle shop will print them out/keep them on hand for customers.

However, having the city IT involved would make it an expensive proposition.

By: Pete

Pete — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:45:21 +0000

We could pay for a new bike registration/education program with all the fines we collect from cell phone-talking drivers…

By: glenn thompson

glenn thompson — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:35:20 +0000

I find the claim that general fund money would not be used for FITS interesting. My memory of the funding for the present design phase is that about $100,000 came from the Economic Development Fund (EDF) Reserves. I believe the EDF is funded from the general fund.

Does Mr Hieftje mean no additional funds will come from the General Fund? Or does he mean it is OK if money goes from the General Fund into a bucket with a different label and is then spent for the FITS?

It would be very desirable for the Chronicle to do a bit of actual investigative reporting since you spent so much column space reporting that general funds would not be used.

By: mr dairy

mr dairy — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:17:14 +0000

“Something our City IT staff should be able to manage.”

Don’t forget that IT assesses an administrative charge for work done for other city departments.

By: Phillip Farber

Phillip Farber — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:08:32 +0000

Wow @David. As a member of WBWC I resent your comment to the effect that you would not be surprised that WBWC has a hidden agenda around bicycle registration to enrich its coffers at public expense. Any excuse to make a point about public arts funding, no matter what the topic, I guess. Uncalled for.

The WBWC has several concerns about the current system.

– One, echoed by Councilperson Hohnke, is that it is ineffective at recovering stolen bicycles.

– It is cumbersome, requiring the owner to come to City Hall to register and pay the fee. Bike shops used to be agents in the process but that has fallen by the wayside.

– It is not enforced, there is not practical way of enforcing it nor would enforcement serve any useful purpose. (Please no remarks about bicyclists “paying their way” — that tired argument has been repeatedly refuted).

My understanding of WBWC’s interest in bicycle registration is that, if voluntary, it would provide an educational opportunity. Bike route maps and rules of the road brochures could be made available at registration time, preferably at bike shops acting as agents for the City. As many have noted, cyclist education is sorely needed in Ann Arbor. If there were to be a fee for service, it would go to the City.

The current system of stickers is not even backed by a database AFAIK. The sticker is easily removed so what good is it? It’s harder to file away a serial number than one might think. The serial number is recorded with the license number and the users identity.

A more efficient system would require just a simple database table and data entry UI to record user identity and serial number. Not rocket science. Something our City IT staff should be able to manage.

By: Matt Hampel

Matt Hampel — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:18:22 +0000

I hope eliminating the bicycle registration system saves some money. It never seemed like a useful project — the stickers are not difficult to remove, and serial numbers can be filed off.

By: Rici

Rici — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:45:58 +0000

[The Grinds of March is located at 704 Airport Blvd. in a warehouse where the Skatepark Action Committee has built a wooden skateboard ramp. The likes of Andy MacDonald will be skating the Grinds.] Dropping in with Andy Mac? [Link] Awesome! He lived in Ann Arbor at some point in his childhood, if I recall correctly.

By: David

David — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:37:49 +0000

I simply do not understand the need for bicycle registration. I do not see any benefits or protections afforded by pursuing it. What is next, a requirement to have bicycle insurance? I would not be surprised is the WBWC is looking for money (via registration) for some of their pet projects: in a way it reminds me of the local artists grab for money through the 1% for Arts program.