Tagging the bicycles

From the Daily News:

"Messengers and folks who work for restaurants tend to be the worst [traffic law] offenders," said Councilman David Greenfield (D-Brooklyn). "They have a financial incentive to be reckless drivers. ...It's the Wild West of transportation."

Greenfield is introducing legislation today that would force businesses that hire cyclists to apply for license plates for each employee's bike.

The companies would also have to show proof of insurance - to cover injuries to their rider and any pedestrians they may plow over.

Any business that fails to acquire the city-issued tags would face a $1,000 fine - and cops would get the green light to seize the scofflaw bikes.

"License plates are the great equalizer," Greenfield insisted. "If you have a license plate, you're responsible. Everyone knows who you are. They know who's in charge and we can track you down."

License plates, he said, could someday allow cops to bust bad bikers with red light cameras.