I’d heard vague rumors about how bicycle licenses are required in LA, but never actually looked into it. Now, thanks to Damien Newton at Streetsblog LA, I know bike licenses are indeed required in the cities of Los Angeles, Santa Monica and Long Beach!
The skinny on how to get one, as culled from both Damien’s post, the links therein, and the ensuing comments:
>> In Santa Monica. Mail in to the city a $3 check along with your bike info; full directions and address here.
>> In Los Angeles. With valid ID, your bike, and $3 in cash, go either to:
* Central Community Police Station, 251 E. 6th Street, Los Angeles between 10 am - 8 pm every Tuesday and Thursday. Read furbrats’ experience getting his license at this site for tips and laughs.
* University of Southern California’s Department of Public Safety Office, 3667 S. McClintock Ave., Los Angeles. 9 am - 4 pm, Monday through Friday. According to Dani, the process is “Super easy and probably safer” than the above Skid Row option.
I’m now off to write a check –
I’ve never heard of bikes needing licenses before but I do on federal installations like military bases you are required to wear a helmet and reflective gear regardless of local and state requirements.
Comment by N. — September 22, 2008 @ 4:53 pm
In Cali there’s no helmet requirement, but bikes do need a front light and a buncha reflectors (on the back, plus on wheels and pedals).
Unrelatedly — Cute blog! Are you familiar with the Good Human?
Comment by Siel — September 22, 2008 @ 4:55 pm
so does the need for a bicycle license also hold true for unincorporated parts of LA like Chatsworth? I’ll have to look into that. Not that I’ve managed to ride my bike to work in ages…but it could happen again…
Comment by Chris — September 22, 2008 @ 8:20 pm
That is incredibly silly - I rode for years in LA and SM and never had any issues - and never even heard of a bike license the entire time. I imagine a walking license is next knowing LA. ;-)
In other news, I see the name of my site there but its linked to westsidebikeside - not a bad place to be linked I suppose. :-)
Comment by David — September 22, 2008 @ 10:51 pm
chatsworth is really part of the city of Los Angeles not the county
why do you think LAFD was the lead agency at
the metrolink crash in Chatsworth because it
Chastworth is part of the city of Los Angeles
Comment by Mark Panitz — September 23, 2008 @ 7:44 am
in long beach it can be done at any fire station.
Comment by d! — September 23, 2008 @ 10:20 am
One can do the by-mail Santa Monica procedure even if one is not a Santa Monica resident!!!!! LA Residents are welcome to get their sticker via Santa Monica.
I think that a state issued non-removable registration sticker is a great idea — as a voluntary thing. It might get somebody’s bike back.
The requirement thing is, as always, intrusive.
Thanks, Green LA Girl
Comment by Ed Greenberg — September 23, 2008 @ 10:45 am
The LAPD central station is only a few blocks away and I usually pass by it every day. However, I’d have to get all the proper reflectors to make sure bike is up to codes before I can take my bikes in.
Comment by Jason Li — September 23, 2008 @ 3:05 pm
I should point out to Jason Li that there is obviously no bike inspection when doing the Santa Monica mail-in process :)
Comment by Ed Greenberg — September 24, 2008 @ 7:59 am
David — Not seeing where yr site’s mentioned — Am I totally overlooking something? Lemme know :)
Thanks to d. and Ed for the additional info re: Santa Monica and Long Beach :)
Comment by Siel — October 7, 2008 @ 12:48 am