Bikes should be licensed

As a person who drives 80-100 miles a day on the streets of Spokane, I continue to be utterly amazed at some of the bicyclists that I encounter. They change lanes without signaling, dart in and out of traffic, ride on the sidewalks, ride in the crosswalks while expecting to have the same right-of-way privileges as pedestrians, and show little concern for anyone but themselves.

This occurs with absolutely no regard for the drivers that are trying desperately to avoid them. They know that the chance of being identified or apprehended for this behavior is remote at best.

Why don’t we require bicycles that are ridden on city streets to be licensed? It could happen after passing a basic online test and paying a very nominal fee for a displayable identification plate just like all the other motorists are required to do. It would allow proof of rudimentary knowledge of rules of the road and give visual identification of the bicycle to not only single out lawbreakers, but to provide a source of retrieval for stolen/abandoned bikes.

Please, city government, do something to help us drivers out.

Ray Moss

Spokane