Shauna Adams

I am writing in opposition to HB 1703 from the perspective of a parent. This bill discourages children from being active outdoors by making bicycle ownership more expensive and more complicated at a time when families are already financially stretched thinner than at any point since the Great Depression. Parents are already struggling with rising costs for housing, food, childcare, healthcare, and education. Adding an annual $50 registration fee per bicycle sends the wrong message about what we value. Children already spend too much time indoors. Bikes are one of the few remaining low-cost, screen-free ways for kids to be active, independent, and social in their own neighborhoods. This bill creates a financial and administrative barrier to that, especially for families with multiple children. A three-year-old riding a bike on their neighborhood street or a local path should not be treated the same as an adult commuting at high speeds on public roadways. HB 1703 makes no meaningful distinction between a child’s bicycle and a high-powered e-bike capable of traveling at nearly 40 miles per hour. That lack of nuance is a serious flaw. If the legislature believes some form of registration must move forward, then it should be narrowly tailored to address legitimate safety or infrastructure concerns. I am not opposed to the idea of registering certain classes of e-bikes used for commuting on public roads. I am strongly opposed to imposing the same registration requirements and fees on children’s bicycles. Policies that discourage biking discourage physical activity, independence, and community engagement among children. They also place unnecessary burdens on families who are already doing their best under difficult economic conditions. New Hampshire should be encouraging kids to be outside, moving, and building healthy habits, not putting a price tag on childhood bike rides. For these reasons, I urge the committee to oppose HB 1703 or, at minimum, exempt children’s bicycles and low-speed recreational bikes from any registration requirement.