March 21, 1989
To: Bicycle Couriers
The City of Vancouver requires that, effective May 1, 1989, bicycle couriers be licensed in accordance with Section 12A.(1) to (4) of the Vehicle for Hire Bylaw No. 6066 which states as follows:
"12A. (1) No person shall be licensed to operate a courier bicycle until he has successfully completed a written and a practical examination approved by the Inspector.
(2) The Inspector shall furnish a numbered plate to every person qualifying for a license to operate a courier bicycle, which plate shall be attached, to the bicycle operated by such person at the rear of the seat so that it is clearly visible from behind the bicycle or in some other conspicuous position. Such plate is non-transferrable and remains the property of the City, and. shall be surrendered to the Inspector on the expiration, revocation or suspension of the license corresponding to it.
(3) Every person licensed pursuant to this section shall at all times while operating a courier bicycle carry on his person an identification card. displaying his photograph and showing his full name, address and date of birth.
(4) A police officer may arrest without warrant any person operating a courier bicycle whom he finds committing a breach of this by-law if such person fails to stop and, produce his identification card or state his proper name and address when so requested by the police officer." It should be noted that Section 3.1 of the Vancouver License By-law No. 4450 states:
"No person shall carry on within the City any business trade, profession or other occupation without holding a subsisting City license therefor."
If this department determines that a person is operating as a bicycle courier without a license, the matter will be referred to the City Prosecutor for the laying of charges. A conviction may result in a fine between $50.00 and $2,000.
BY-LAW NO. 6402
A By-law to amend the License By-law, being By-law No. 4450
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VANCOUVER, in open meeting assembled, enacts as follows: l. Section 2 of By-law No. 4450 is amended by inserting after the definition for "Banker" the following:
"Bicycle Courier Service means a person carrying on the business of conveying goods by means of a bicycle.
2. By-law No. 4450 is further amended by inserting after section 11 the following:
"BICYCLE COURIER SERVICE 11A. No person carrying on the business of a bicycle courier service shall employ or offer the services of any person required to be licensed as the operator of a courier bicycle pursuant to the Vehicles for Hire By-law unless that person is so licensed.
3. This By-law shall come into force and take effect on 1 January 1989.
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