The Assembly approved a measure requiring bicycles offered for resale that were manufactured or assembled after Jan. 1, 1989, to be advertised with a photo of the bicycle and a photo showing at least the last four digits of the bike's identifying serial number.

Sponsor Assemblymember Pollan said the bill extends existing labeling rules for new bicycles to the resale market. "The bill would require that bicycles be advertised for resale with a photo of the bicycle and at least the last 4 digits of its identifying serial number," Pollan said during debate.

Lawmakers questioned implementation details, including how a buyer could verify a serial number given there is no central public database. The sponsor said police receive reports of stolen bicycles and that buyers could contact law enforcement to check a serial number that appears suspicious. The bill excludes liability for third-party platforms in certain circumstances.

The bill applies only to bicycles manufactured or assembled after Jan. 1, 1989, because older bicycles may lack etched serial numbers. The statute allows exceptions for vintage or pre-1989 bicycles and provides the Department of State authority to enforce penalties, typically after a warning.

The Assembly recorded an Ayes 119, Noes 26 vote.

Why it matters: Sponsors said the change helps law enforcement track stolen bicycles and deters resale of stolen property by making identifying information standard in resale listings.

Implementation: The sponsor acknowledged there is no statewide database of bicycle serial numbers; buyers are encouraged to check with police if they suspect a bike is stolen.