On March 20, Norm Miller, MPP for Parry Sound – Muskoka, re-introduced a private member’s bill that would permit vehicles with carrying racks on highways even if the rack obscures the license plate.
Bill 108, the No Flak for Carrying Racks Act, applies to carrying racks mounted on the rear of a motor vehicle. This applies to various racks that cover license plates, such as a bicycle rack, luggage rack, ski rack, wheelchair carrier, wheelchair lift, trailer hitch or other similar carrying devices.
Currently, motorists inadvertently break the law when transporting their bicycles and they can expect a $110 fine for having their rear license plate temporarily obscured.
Miller’s Bill comes just in time for the cycle tourism season this summer, as Ontario is a premier destination for cyclists. Recreational cyclists enjoy Ontario’s many trails while many competitive cyclists travel around Ontario to compete in triathlons, mountain bike races and other events.
“Clarity on bicycle racks and other transportation racks will encourage more Ontarians and visitors to get out, and pursue the outdoor activities we enjoy here in Ontario,” stated Miller.
This will be Miller’s second attempt at clarifying provincial rules governing vehicle-mounted carrying racks. The last Bill passed second reading in the Legislature but died awaiting committee hearings when the Legislature was prorogued last summer.
Don’t miss out on Doppler! Sign up for our free, twice-weekly newsletter here.
I have not read the bill but it sure seems like a good idea.
One point, Would it be possible for the good folks at Service Ontario to supply, maybe for a nominal fee like $5 a sort of life size, self stick copy of the license plate that a vehicle owner could stick to their back window so that it duplicated their (now obscured) regular license plate? This might allow Norm’s bill easy passage and still allow the police to easily identify the car? Not sure about Highway like the 407 but the few that it might miss will likely not bankrupt their foreign owners so I’m not really worried on this score.