Why are bicycles not licenced nor needing insurance ?

Question

After all, they are considered vehicles and must follow and obey traffic laws, so why not make them act like the other vehicles, license and insurance. It might also cut down on crime by deterring bicycle theft.

Answer 1

Most of the answers on here are just silly.  The argument is then we would have to have people on rollerblades and skateboards have insurance?  Last time I checked, people on rollerblades and skateboards are not allowed, by law, to ride with the flow of traffic in the street.  They are considered a pedestrian, where as a bicycle is considered a non-motorized vehicle.  ANY vehicle, motorized or non-motorized, should be required to have insurance and be licensed.

Answer 2

They are not motorized! Should we license and insure skateboards, scooters (non electric), roller skates/blades, pogo sticks ...

Answer 3

It only happen in USA. Other country like China,bicycles are licenced and need to paid fee every year.Bicycle user in Asia country required to follow the same traffic law as a car,otherwise,he facing charges and fine. USA has no law on bicycle.

Answer 4

Bottom line - because your state legislators didn't make a law about it.  

Probably because when they run into something, they don't cause very much damage.  

You DO have insurance for your bicycle, non motorized, under your homeowners or renters policy.  That would cover both liability issues, and damage/loss to the bike itself.

I have no idea, though, how you think this is going to cut down on bike theft.

Answer 5

The licensing applys to motor vehicles.  If we required license for them them which some states or citys do require you to register them, you would need to start registering and licensing skate boards, scooter and lawn mowers.   As for insurance they are covered under your home owners policy for damage that is done by them and if they are stolen a claim can be made on your home insurance so in a sense they are insured.  I hope this helps.  Good Luck

Answer 6

When is the last time you heard of a bicycle crashing into a home causing tens of thousands of dollars damage to the house?

When is the last time you heard of a bicycle t-boning a bus causing the bus to roll and killing several people inside (yes I watch House :p)?

When is the last time you heard of a bicycle losing control on a snowy highway causing a major pile up?

When is the last time you heard of a senior mistaking the accelerator for the brake on a bicycle, plowing it into a group of shoppers in an outdoor market?

While you can certainly be injured, even seriously, if you were hit by a bicycle, the chances of you being killed by the impact is much less. The number of collisions between bicycles and pedestrians are far fewer than collisions between cars and pedestrians. Also keep in mind the liability coverage provided by a Homeowner's, Tenant's or Condo Unit Owner's policy will provide coverage for a cyclist.