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Lawmaker wants Georgia bicyclists to buy license plates

HALL COUNTY — Some Georgia lawmakers are considering forcing owners of every bicycle in the state to buy license plates, just like cars and trucks.

Channel 2's Jeff Dore talked to some drivers and bikers who were worked up by the proposed provisions.

Rep. Carl Rogers, R- Hall County said he has heard it over and over from constituents, fed up with slow bike riders taking up lanes on country roads.

“Over the last three years, I've heard from a lot of property owners, a lot of drivers of automobiles and trucks, and they keep asking me -- when are we going to do something. When I’m going to do something about it,” Rogers said.

Rogers and two colleagues have introduced house bill 689. It would require bikes to buy and display license plates, forbid riding side-by-side, allow only four riders in a single-file group and even let counties ban bikes from some roads.

Some bike riders found some of the ideas OK.

“As a driver, I can understand. As a biker, not so great,” said driver and rider Natalie Biniasz.

Some people found them outrageous.

“I think it sounds extremely regressive. I think it seems like they're really trying to limit, really limit biking,” said Ellen Nemhauser.

There’s going to be a public meeting Monday night at 6 p.m. at the Hall County Government Center. It's expected to be crowded and lively.