Chicago alderwoman eyes proposed $25 bicycle fee
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
A Chicago alderwoman wants to charge a $25 licensing fee for bicycle owners and require them to take an hour-long safety class.
Pat Dowell's proposal could generate up to $10 million a year if 400,000 cyclists buy the license. Dowell thinks the city should implement it instead of a heightened tax on cable television that's been proposed by the mayor.
The South Side alderwoman says bike riders should pay for increasing number of protected bike lanes on city streets.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
Cycling advocates say they're not aware of any other U.S. city that requires similar licenses.
The executive director of the Active Transportation Alliance says enforcement and cumbersome set-up costs outweigh the potential financial benefit.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel has pledged to make Chicago one of the nation's most bike-friendly city.