Bicycle License Plates
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Bicycle License Plates
When I was a grade schooler, even through HS, I recall having a bicycle license plate which was to be fixed to the bicycle. My "English Racer" had one for certain but I do not remember much about how or why. The Raleigh and Dunalt that I purchased here in Wichita had plates. The Raleigh also had a license sticker on the DT.
Do any current cities in the USA/Canada require licensing of bicycles? What is the history on these plates? Not to be for the government taking more of my money but I could see this if the funds were used to augment bicycle infrastructure.
Do any current cities in the USA/Canada require licensing of bicycles? What is the history on these plates? Not to be for the government taking more of my money but I could see this if the funds were used to augment bicycle infrastructure.
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I don't know if anyplace still has plates, due to the expense. As far as I know, any city that has bike licenses uses a decal. Most of them don't charge a fee, but only do it to make it easier to find the owner if the bike is stolen and recovered.
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I remember "vanity" license plates that kids could buy with their names on them.
Looking on E-Bay, in the early 1950's (before my time), there were apparently very realistic license plates associated with Wheaties Cereal.
Looking on E-Bay, in the early 1950's (before my time), there were apparently very realistic license plates associated with Wheaties Cereal.
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There are ebike license plates and attachment accessories in europe
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Prewar Italy and France had them.
Italy
Italian Badge 02 by iabisdb, on Flickr
France.
French Badge 01 by iabisdb, on Flickr
Italy
Italian Badge 02 by iabisdb, on Flickr
France.
French Badge 01 by iabisdb, on Flickr
Likes For iab:
#6
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When I saw the title of this thread I immediately thought of auto plates like we have in Oregon. They cost extra but you can get one with a bicycle/rider image, and various other images. There's one where the $ goes to Oregon Cultural Trust. Of course mine has the cyclist on it.
#7
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Last year I picked up this set off eBay. Not sure what I'm going to do with them, but I thought they were interesting.
Might have been a prize in a cereal box? I assume the hole in each one is because they were nailed to a wall or board for display.
And.....modern replica state plates w/ custom text are available for $10 on eBay
Might have been a prize in a cereal box? I assume the hole in each one is because they were nailed to a wall or board for display.
And.....modern replica state plates w/ custom text are available for $10 on eBay
Last edited by vtchuck; 03-26-16 at 07:39 AM.
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We used to have the little license plates with the city name and a number, held on to the saddle with little S shaped hooks. They always clanked around riding the bike- They were always a shade of green for when I remember them. I remember getting them at the old Fire/Police station that's now just the Fire Dept.
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#10
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Europe has had a long history of bike plates. I think most phased them out late 70's or 80's.
These examples came from Belgium or Nederlands
Non-Fixie sent me the Orange on on the bottom row for my Superia made Belgique.
These examples came from Belgium or Nederlands
Non-Fixie sent me the Orange on on the bottom row for my Superia made Belgique.
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Interesting the way times have changed. I do wish something could be done about theft but I do not think registration by license plate would do it, perhaps registration by serial number.
Anyway, just seems like a bit of vintage history, probably many of the bikes we find to rebuild and give new lives once carried a plate or a decal.
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Don't get me started on bicycle license decals -- some clown covered my Reynolds decal with one.
Left: exceptionally nice Capo Sieger on eBay several years ago.
Right: my Capo Sieger with San Diego California bicycle license covering the Reynolds decal.
Left: exceptionally nice Capo Sieger on eBay several years ago.
Right: my Capo Sieger with San Diego California bicycle license covering the Reynolds decal.
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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
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I can remember trying to figure out where to put the city sticker on my bike many years ago. They did give a choice, but the seattube wasn't exactly plain. Anyway, I don't seem to have a Columbus sticker on my bike, and I've been wondering if there is a well preserved sticker hiding under a city or campus stickers.
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Yeah we used to bend them around the seat stays of the bmx bikes and they would clank real nice when you jumped off the curbs
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Outstanding collection of Canadian bike plates on ebay right now. bobsky_27 on eBay
I have several from purchased bikes but no desire to collect them.
I have several from purchased bikes but no desire to collect them.
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We had them in my hometown, purely voluntary, but the local VFD had a bike rodeo, they taught the basic safety rules, inspected the bikes, fixed things, you got a hot dog, a can of soda, and a license plate. Almost every saddle, even the banana seats, had loops on the back, which I grew up thinking were for the plates (not bags).
Walmart sells NC bike vanity plates with kids' names on them. I should get one.
Walmart sells NC bike vanity plates with kids' names on them. I should get one.
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When I saw the title of this thread I immediately thought of auto plates like we have in Oregon. They cost extra but you can get one with a bicycle/rider image, and various other images. There's one where the $ goes to Oregon Cultural Trust. Of course mine has the cyclist on it.
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
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I remember two different types in the 1960's: a rectangular one that hung under the back of the saddle, and a longish, thinnish one with rounded top and bottom that you could put between your spokes. This was Reading, Mass.
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Would that add to the excitement of a fast downhill run?
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Nope.., not really. the only thing that would do that is having the girl next door that were keen on watch you.
As far as cities that license goes, I've had stickers from Honolulu (red) and St. Pete (lt. green). I wish more places offered it. I'm not sure I would adorn my road bike with one, but then again, I never leave it locked nor otherwise un-attended. My grocery hauler/camping bike, that is a different story.
Where are you from, Loose? (cool name, by-the-way). I see you are either an anatomy and physiology professor or you work for the Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P)
As far as cities that license goes, I've had stickers from Honolulu (red) and St. Pete (lt. green). I wish more places offered it. I'm not sure I would adorn my road bike with one, but then again, I never leave it locked nor otherwise un-attended. My grocery hauler/camping bike, that is a different story.
Where are you from, Loose? (cool name, by-the-way). I see you are either an anatomy and physiology professor or you work for the Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P)
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Last edited by 1989Pre; 03-27-16 at 10:07 AM.
#22
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Or a certified Airframe and Powerplant technician.
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Here's one from the Swiss canton of St. Gallen:
DD
DD
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I was browsing my local CL this evening and found this:
New Orleans Bicycle Plate
New Orleans Bicycle Plate
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