Greenfield Wants License Plates For Delivery, Messenger Bikes

Councilman David Greenfield wants to regulate the hardworking men and women who make it possible for you to have Tex-Mex/Chinese food without leaving the comfort of home. The Daily News reports that the Councilman plans to put forward a bill today that would mandate license plates for the bicycles used by messengers and food delivery workers.

Mr. Greenfield says that the plates, which could help trace traffic law-breakers back to their employers via DMV records, will cut down on reckless behavior by cyclists. He reasoned the bill would encourage safer riding by messengers and restaurant delivery employees who perform a job where time means money, often in the form of a tip.

“Messengers and folks who work for restaurants tend to be the worst [traffic law] offenders,” Greenfield told the Daily News. “They have a financial incentive to be reckless drivers. …It’s the Wild West of transportation.”

What do you think? Is city government overstepping its bounds, hurting small business owners and persecuting cyclists? Or is this a necessary measure in an increasingly traffic-clogged and crowded city?

Council David G. Greenfield represents the 44th Council District, which includes Borough Park as well as parts of Midwood and Bensonhurst.

Daily News: City Councilman wants to slap speedy bike messengers