Thread by @Pflax1

It's unfortunately not uncommon these days to see public officials talking about mandating that bike riders get licenses, special insurance, and helmet use. I wanted to write a short thread outlining why they all are horrible bad-faith ideas.
nypost.com/2021/06/06/sim…

The first, most obvious reason: They won't work—in fact they'll make things worse by discouraging riding (which is the intent). Don't be fooled that they'd make anyone safer or add a layer of useful personal responsibility; the point is the optics to look tough on naughty riders.

Second, what would emerge would be discriminatory. Given the state of US policing, the ultimate losers would be young Black men. Other POC, like delivery and restaurant workers, and the homeless would also suffer. These ideas would lead to harassment and targeting and injustice.

Third it'd be wildly and wastefully costly. Bike riders aren't causing large amounts of property damage or personal injury (unlike drivers of motor vehicles, who cause billions in damages). This idea has been studied for decades and dismissed because it's a waste of time & money.

Fourth, fully 100% of the time, the public figures who put forth these ideas not only do nothing to make life safer for vulnerable road users—they actually work to obstruct it. It's always a bald attempt to discourage riding or punish riders.

Bike riders don't need licenses, special insurance or helmet mandates. We need safe places to ride. We need legislative and police protection from speeding, reckless and distracted driving. We need city officials to help us, not harass us.