New bike courier rules are proposed

By Anthony Flint,

Boston Globe, 01/17/98

Police Commissioner Paul F. Evans has proposed tough new regulationsfor bicycle couriers and messengers calling for more visible identification,stricter registration rules, and a requirement that all riders be fullyinsured.

The proposed rules, submitted to Mayor Thomas M. Menino, also stiffenpenalties for violations. Made public on Thursday, the regulations arein the form of a home-rule petition because of changes in the authorityof the Police Department, and require approval by the City Council andthe state Legislature.

Calls for tougher bike courier regulations came after Boston SchoolCommittee member William Spring was struck by a bicycle messenger lastOctober.

''We hope we can help the industry better regulate itself,'' said CarolThompson, the neighborhood policing attorney for Area D, who helped authorthe legislation.

The proposed changes would give the police commissioner the power todeny, suspend, or revoke licenses for commercial bike messenger vendors.Because state law says that anyone can ride a bike on a public way, suchan addition of authority to the police commissioner requires passage ina home-rule petition.

The proposed changes would also require couriers to update their registrationswhen they move from agency to agency; that registration numbers be madevisible on the rider's back with reflective material; that all bikes carrylicense plates; and that riders carry licenses in a transparent armbandat all times.

Thompson said the more visible identification will help track down ''roguemessengers who run into people and then take off.'' She added that ''thisshouldn't be misconstrued that every bike messenger violates the trafficlaws, but there have obviously been incidents.''

The increased fines call for $100 for the first offense and $150 forthe second. Subsequent offenses within one year would be $300 per violation.

Also, either riders or their agencies must have insurance, covering$50,000 in property damages and up to $100,000 for the injury or deathof anyone involved in an accident.

If you have comments or suggestions, email me at messvilleto@yahoo.com