Hearing for New Detroit Bicycle Registration

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Detroit City Council’s Public Health and Safety Committee is holding a public hearing on Monday, May 11th at 10:30 AM on a new bicycle registration ordinance.

This new ordinance is voluntary and replaces the mandatory registration ordinance removed last summer.

PUBLIC HEARING – RE: Proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 55, Article IX, of the 1984 Detroit City Code, Motorcycles, Motor-Driven Cycles and Bicycles, by adding Division 3, Voluntary Bicycle Registration, which shall contain Sections 55-9-41 through 55-9-49 (Law and Police Departments)

Whether or not you have opportunity to register your bike, it really is important that you at least document the serial number. This number is typically stamped into your bike frame often times near the cranks. With the serial number and 99 cents, you can take advantage of the National Bike Registry in the event yours is stolen.

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3 Responses to “Hearing for New Detroit Bicycle Registration”

  1. Hearing for New Detroit Bicycle Registration | thedetroiter.com Says:

    […] This new ordinance is voluntary and replaces the mandatory registration ordinance removed last summer. More information at m-bike.org. […]

  2. Charles ortiz Says:

    Received a ticket in Westland for riding a unregistered bicycle in the city ?…….they are charging me with a misdemeanor ..how is this legal can they do this …they want 500 dollars or 90 days in jail ………this has got a be a joke

  3. Todd Scott Says:

    Yes, Westland does require all bike owners to register their bikes. State law allows this. However, it also requires the city to post signs. MCL 257.606 (3) “An ordinance or regulation enacted under subsection (1)(a), (d), (e), (f), (g), (i), or (j) shall not be enforceable until signs giving notice of the local traffic regulations are posted upon or at the entrance to the highway or street or part of the highway or street affected, as may be most appropriate, and are sufficiently legible as to be seen by an ordinarily observant person.” Does Westland have signs on the street you were riding that state bike registration is required? I doubt it. I don’t provide legal advice, but if this happened to me, I would contest the ticket because the ordinance is unenforceable under state law. I’d also contact Westland Mayor Bill Wild and ask that he help change the ordinance to make bicycle registration voluntary.

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