ACTION NEEDED NOW: PROPOSED NH BILL REQUIRING BIKE REGISTRATION

THE FOLLOWING POST IS COPIED FROM AN EMAIL RECEIVED FROM BIKE WALK ALLIANCE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.

URGENT TO BIKE SHOPS and BIKE OWNERS: LEGISLATION WOULD CREATE $50 REGISTRATION FEE FOR ALL BIKES IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

HB1703-FN - Title: AN ACT relative to establishing a registration fee for bicycles and electric bicycles using state or municipally funded bike paths, trails, or roadways.

Sponsors: Rep. Thomas Walsh, Rep. Gregory Hill, Rep. Ted Gorski

Committee: Transportation

Analysis: This bill establishes a required annual registration fee for all bicycles and electric bicycles operating on state or municipally funded paths, trails, and roadways which bicycles and electric bicycles are permitted to be ridden on.  The bill also establishes a penalty for failure to register and directs funds from said fees and penalties to the commissioner of the department of transportation for the creation and maintenance of bicycle routes, lanes, paths, or trails in the state.

Hearing Date, Time, and Location: 01/27, 11 AM, Room 234 at 1 Granite Place in Concord; NH House Transportation Committee will hold a public hearing on HB1703.

BWANH Position: Oppose

BWANH Analysis: This bill would establish an annual registration fee of $50 for all bicycles (including e-bikes) operating on state or municipally funded paths, trails, and roadways. Registration would require proof of ownership of the bike or authorization from the owner to operate the bike. Registration by someone under 18 would require parental sign-off. You would have to affix a registration sticker to the bike or have the registration certificate on hand whenever riding the bike. There would be a $100 penalty for failure to register.  Funds from registration fees and penalties would be used for the creation and maintenance of bicycle routes, lanes, paths, or trails in the state. The bill would also take away the authority that municipalities currently have under RSA 265:149 to require registration of bikes.

In case you're wondering what the bill's chances are, it is being proposed by the Chair of the House Transportation Committee, which gives it pretty good odds of being favorably received by the Committee unless there is overwhelming opposition to the bill.

You can make your voice heard on this bill by following this link, filling in the form (it's January 27, Transportation Committee, HB1703), indicating your position on the bill, and (optionally) providing comments or uploading a testimony letter. Better yet, attend the hearing! The hearing is scheduled for 11:00 on January 27 in Room 234 at Granite Place in Concord. At the hearing, you can sign up to testify or just sign in and indicate your position (in favor, opposed, or neutral). Stay tuned, because hearings are sometimes rescheduled with little notice. You can "subscribe" to information about the status of pending legislation, including hearing schedules, here.

Bike-Walk Alliance of New Hampshire strongly opposes HB1703 for the following reasons:

• The bill would cost a family of four with four bikes $200 per year. That would make parents think twice about buying a bike for their kids.

• The registration fee and penalties would have the unintended and unfortunate consequence of discouraging bicycling, which has significant public health benefits, improves quality of life, and brings tourism revenue to New Hampshire.

• The bill would make New Hampshire a much less bike-friendly state, which would be disastrous for our tourism economy.

• It would make life even more difficult for those whose only mode of personal transportation is a bike, particularly the economically disadvantaged.

• The cost of implementing the registration program would be significant, maybe greater than the amount of revenue generated. The fiscal note sheds little light on the fiscal impact of the bill, stating that the revenues can’t be determined.