For now it looks like Ottawa cyclists won’t have to formally license their bicycles, after a new report from Ottawa city staff deemed the process as too expensive.
Orléans Councillor Bob Monette put the motion forward last summer.
According to Monette’s original inquiry, licenses could help improve safe cycling in the city. By acting as a formal registry it might also help police track down stolen bicycles.
However, the new report says the costs associated with taking on the program are prohibitive and implementing the system would be labour intensive.
The report estimates that the program would cost at least $100,000 to administer each year and only generate around $30,000-$40,000 in fees.
It also determined that it would take at least eight to 10 bylaw officers to enforce the program.
The report says the fees associated with mandatory licenses might act as a “barrier” and discourage cyclists from riding in the city.
If this motion goes forward, the report says close to 750,000 bicycles would need to be licensed.