BILL NUMBER: S1541A
SPONSOR: MAY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to requiring bicy-
cles advertised for sale or resale in New York state to have an identi-
fying serial number
 
PURPOSE::
To require that bicycles be advertised for resale with their identifying
serial number.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS::
Section one amends section 391-c of the general business law to require
that no bicycles may be advertised for resale unless the last four
digits of the bicycle's identifying serial number and a clear photo of
the bicycle is included and posted in the advertisement.
*The A-print of this legislation clarifies the requirement for partial
serial numbers.*
 
JUSTIFICATION::
Current law prohibits the sale of any bicycle in New York that does not
have an identifying serial number. It is estimated that every thirty
seconds, a bicycle is stolen in the United States, amounting to about
two million annual thefts. The NYPD has reported a 30% increase in bicy-
cle thefts during the pandemic. Bicycle owners may register their bike's
serial numbers into national databases such as Bikelndex.org. However,
there exists a gap in the law for protecting prospective buyers from
inadvertently purchasing a stolen bike. This legislation would require
bicycles to be advertised for resale with their serial numbers, thereby
allowing potential buyers to search the serial number prior to making a
purchase. This requirement will give buyers peace of mind and would also
aid law enforcement in identifying stolen bicycles.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY::
2023-2024 - S.6479-A (May) / A.4076-B (Paulin)
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS::
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE::
On, the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.

Statutes affected:
S1541: 391-c general business law, 391-c(1-a) general business law
S1541A: 391-c general business law, 391-c(1-a) general business law