Driver's License

[aicabsolut]

Stop and identify laws do not mean you are required to show photo identification. You must provide your name. Of course, it isn't going to do you any good if you lie, but you don't have to have your ID on you. However, if you DO have it with you, it might be wise to show it. In contrast, in Europe, you are required to carry an official ID around with you, and this applies to visitors. You may be stopped for any reason and asked to produce identification. Not that I've ever seen this done, but it's legal.

As for conduct on your bicycle and criminal activity, the two don't have to be related. Perhaps a perp was seen on or with a certain bike. Perhaps you're in street clothes riding around on your commuter and something about you matches the description of someone they are looking for in your area. Those are legit reasons to stop you under suspicion of criminal activity, and it has nothing to do with whether you broke any traffic laws or whatnot. Traffic laws are not civil infractions, but they are crimes in that they involve fines or other punishments and are enforced by the government. They aren't civil actions just because you won't get carted off to jail for running a stop sign.

[solobiker]

I have always carried one backpacking, but never riding unless I have my whole wallet to go to the store. I probably should as I often ride alone. I do carry my cell phone and some money.

[crazybikinchic]

I carry expired DL in saddlebag along with road ID on ankle. If I go down, there are no gaurantes that my bike will be close to me, so I want ID with contact info on me, and ID on my bike so that it will get back to me.

[Mr. Bloom]

For those who wear ID on your shoe, keep in mind that in an accident, shoes are often separated from the body...particularly when the shoes are locked in...

That's why I bought the ankle ID...

[boy in a kilt]

I carry some form of ID. Usually my DL or my military ID. One is as good as the other. Plus my mil ID has my Geneva Convention Category in case things get really weird.

I also wear my dog tags. They have my blood type and a red tag saying I'm allergic to penicillian.

Also, I have my cell phone with my home phone programmed under "home" the idea being if all else fails and they need to find someone to scrape up the pieces, they might check my phone.

[smilingcat]

[to self] how odd i haven't posted yet here[end to self]

I wear my road ID on wrist, shoes do get separated many a time. Having it on your bike really doesn't help from personal experience. In two major wrecks, NOBODY BODERED TO CHECK ON MY BIKE. Me and my bike were SEPARATED. My first major wreck, I was still conscious and I could talk. Second one, one of the guys rode with me back to the car. Standard procedure in the club when someone bonked or was having a really bad day. He managed to get my personal information to the paramedics.

So, now I ride with road ID, carry about $20.00 and a cell phone. Also leave my route information to my partner at home. she also knows when I should be back home. I stopped carrying my DL cause I forget to put it back in my purse.

Oh after a ride, I wrap my road ID on the handle bar so I'm reminded the next time I go for a ride.

smilingcat

[Crankin]

For most of the riding season, I use a small shoulder bag purse that came with a small zipper wallet that is just big enough to hold essential credit cards, insurance card, and cash. So, I just take that out of my purse and stick it in my jersey pocket. In the early spring and fall I use a bigger purse and wallet, so before a ride, i have a routine: I know I need 3 cards-- license, Blue Cross card, and credit card, along with my cell phone. When I get those out of my wallet, I also take some cash, although i always have 5-10 dollars in my bike bag. I have a wrist road ID that i wear when i am riding alone or with a group. I don't wear it when I ride with my husband or my very close friends who kow how to contact my husband.
There have been a couple of times I've left my license, etc in a jacket pocket, but they have always been during winter sports-- hiking, snow shoeing, or x country skiing when I go throught he same procedure.

[ChickWithBrains]

What is the down side to carrying an ID?

I always carry a little cash. I carry a credit card, in case something happens where my $20 is insufficient. I carry my ID both to be able to use the credit card *and* in the event that my unconscious self ends up in an ER. I carry all these and my cellphone in a plastic bag in my jersey pocket -- this way they are on me, don't get sweat upon, and I know they will be discovered if I'm an unfortunate crash victim. I also have my husband's number under the label "ICE" (In Case of Emergency) in my cell -- a more and more common convention.

Keep your ID on you, not your bike. In our ER, the only accessories that have ever come with an injured pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist, or etc. has been a helmet to illustrate damage. Never the saddlebag or seatpost pouch, never the computer, never the ID from the bike. The cops might have those, but getting the info to me so I can find a next of kin is near impossible.

Keep an ID on you -- any kind -- if not because of the law, because it will help you and those you love in case of badness.

[bacarver]

The advice to keep the license, insurance card, emergency information, etc. with you (in jersey pocket or elsewhere on your person) is right on. When emergencies occur, people kick into fast gear, and the shortest distance between points A and B rarely includes methodically checking all the equipment for cards and personal belongings.
The idea here is to keep it simple and make it easy for others.
I think I'll get some bright theme buttons so I can close one of the pockets on each of my jerseys.
After all this work, I don't want the cards to slide out.
Barb