Vancouver city council has rejected a suggestion to study the idea of licensing bicycles.

Instead, councillors unanimously approved Wednesday (November 4) an alternative motion asking staff to report on best practices regarding the safety of cyclists and pedestrians, including enforcement measures and education.

Councillor Melissa De Genova of the opposition Non-Partisan Association had filed a motion about looking into a potential bicycle licensing program, which includes license plates.

According to her motion, this program will identify bicycles and cyclists to other road users, as well as help the police return stolen bicycles to owners.

“This is just a look at the possibilities of licensing,” De Genova said at the meeting.

However, members of the ruling Vision Vancouver caucus didn’t want to go down that road.

“This is a futile direction,” Vision’s Geoff Meggs said, adding that a licensing program will only stigmatize cyclists.

Councillor Heather Deal put forward a substitute motion that seeks to ask staff to submit a memo on good practices regarding the protection of cyclists and pedestrians, and enforcement measures of road-safety rules.

Following Deal’s strike-and-replace move, Green councillor Adriane Carr, who had seconded De Genova’s motion, suggested that the staff report also cover cycling education, an amendment that Deal accepted. 

The NPA’s George Affleck initially backed De Genova’s motion, but in the end, voted in favour of Deal’s proposal.

Erin O'Melinn, executive director of the advocacy group HUB Cycling, addressed council, saying a licensing program is going to be costly, ineffective, and may deter cycling.

O’Melinn recalled that the city had a mandatory licensing program that was discontinued decades ago.

Downtown resident Thomas Hooley appeared in council to support an inquiry into bicycle licensing. He noted that the program is needed because there are going to be more people on the road as pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.

Reacting to Hooley’s presentation, Vision’s Megg snorted: “How about pedestrian licensing?”

Meggs also scoffed: “How about kids riding to school?”

The Vancouver Police Department has launched an online registry for bikes. The voluntary program, which also includes tamper-resistant decals, is hoped to deter bike thefts.