Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Jail or up to a $1000 Fine for Not Having a Bicycle License in Santa Monica
Photo by GarySe7en via Flickr
Photo by GarySe7en via Flickr
Under current written law, Santa Monica police are able to throw any cyclists, whether a city resident or not, into jail for not having a bicycle license. Fines can range up to $1,000. The 1995-created law directly contradicts a 1996-written California Vehicle Code section, which states the law shall apply to residents of a city issuing bicycle licenses.
The city of Los Angeles does not issue bicycle licenses because state law allows individual cities to choose whether or not to have such an ordinance on the books. It was struck down earlier this year by the L.A. City Council.
However, a representative at the Santa Monica's License Division said Los Angeles residents can send the city $3 and an application to receive a license because they "issue them as a courtesy." Police are currently enforcing the law, she said.
"This is a violation of human rights - an insult to dignity," said Alex Thompson, a bicycle blogger on the Westside, noting that police blotter reports indicate the law has been applied to homeless more often than not. "The bike licensing provision in state law was intended [to] facilitate recovering stolen bikes, and instead Santa Monica is using it to hassle homeless people, and a few years ago, Critical Mass."
Santa Monica based bicycle blogger Gary Kavanagh broke the story yesterday evening. "What is also odd here, is that while punishment is clearly spelled out and quite severe for not having a bicycle license sticker, not having a license plate on a car is treated as a parking ticket if you are away from the vehicle, and a fix it ticket if you are present," he wrote.
Calls to the Carol Swindell, the city's Director of the Finance Department, which issues bicycle licenses, were not immediately returned. [Update: A representative from Swindell's office later returned our phone call. Details can be read here]
Sponsored message
Previously on LAist
- SaMo Police Spent $3K on Critical Mass Operations
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
