Seattle Considers Licensing and Fees for Cyclists

Many cities struggle to encourage residents to ride bikes, but some in Seattle argue that since bike lanes cost money, cyclists should pay for them. They argue the city should create licensing and fees for bicycles: "With licensing, police would have an easier time ticketing lawbreaking bicyclists, or finding the rightful owners of recovered stolen bikes, supporters say," Jessica Lee writes in the Seattle Times.

Others argue it's harder to make money licensing bikes than supporters hope. "The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) says there would be 'a high financial cost' to enforcing mandatory bicycle licenses, considering how programs have played out elsewhere," Lee writes.