Authorizes the consumer protection division to establish a bike theft prevention awareness and education program

BILL NUMBER:S5341

Title of bill

An act to amend the executive law and the general business law, in relation to the bicycle theft prevention awareness and education program

Purpose

This legislation creates the statewide bicycle theft prevention and awareness program in order to inform the general public of existing systems and methods designed to prevent bicycle theft and recover stolen property.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of the bill amends subdivision 3 of section 94-a of the executive law to establish a bicycle theft awareness program.

Section 2 adds a new section 391-cc to the general business law which outlines the components of the bicycle theft awareness program. It will include proper methods for parking and locking bicycles in addition to the benefits of bicycle registration and the proper procedure for reporting theft. The consumer protection division shall work with law enforcement agencies, educational institutions, community groups, and municipalities. The division will issue a written report to evaluate the implementation of the program.

Justification

Over the last few years, there has been a significant increase in the use of bicycles as a primary mode of transportation. The New York City Department of Transportation announced in October 2008 that New York City has seen a 35% increase in commuter cyclists from 2007 to 2008.

However, the New York city Department of Planning estimates that over 70,000 bicycles are stolen in New York City annually, which amounts to approximately 191 bicycles per day. There has also been anecdotal evidence of increased bicycle theft throughout the state, including cases where bikes have been stolen and disassembled for parts.

As part of a multi-faceted legislative approach to address the statewide bicycle theft problem, this legislation requires the Executive Director of the State Consumer Protection Board to work with the Division of State police, the New York city police Department, and the New York city Department of Consumer Affairs to design, implement, and maintain a bicycle theft prevention awareness program, which can focus on specific localities in order to better prevent theft. Such local websites can alert the local bicycling community in real time, which will allow them to report sightings of stolen bicycles as well as to document thefts.

This educational program will promote procedures for reporting bicycle theft, recommended methods of locking and storage, and the process and benefits of bicycle registration. Materials will be made available through the Consumer Protection Board website, as well as through distribution, upon request, to law enforcement agencies, educational institutions, community groups, and municipalities.

Legislative history

2010: S.6871/A.9448

Fiscal implications

None to the state.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.