Unlicensed Bicycles?

Topeka police are warning local bicycle owners they could face up to $76 in fines and court costs if they're caught pedaling unlicensed bikes.

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The city ordinance has been in effect at least since 1973. Licenses are free and available at the city's fire stations.

Sorry but bike licenses just strikes me as asinine. The licenses are currently free but if the police have stepped up enforcement that would indicate a renewed interest in the bike licenses. I don't think it is too much of a stretch to think that this might be a revenue source for the city. First raise awareness by enforcing the law on bike licenses and then once you get enough demand, start charging for them with the rational being that so many are needed, you can't afford to give them away for free anymore. To me this looks like a backdoor tax effort. I would be interested in the statistics on how many stolen bikes have been recovered as a result of the licenses.