ASK MBA: CAN I GET A TICKET FOR MY BIKE RACK?

RACK TROUBLE

Q: A friend of mine got pulled over for having his license plate blocked by a folded-up hitch-style bike rack. Is this a common thing?

Nate Heywood

Seattle, WA

A: Yes, we have also had friends and wrecking crew members pulled over for not just the license plate being blocked but the taillights, too. Laws will vary from state to state, but in most, it is illegal to block either. Some law-enforcement agencies are more aggressive about enforcing these laws than others, but if you are concerned about it or have a big bike rack, there are taillight and license-plate relocation options that put both on the rack and keep you in compliance with the laws and as safe as possible. Rack manufacturers such as Yakima, Thule and Saris offer license-plate relocation and light kits for their racks. Kody Technologies sells a wide variety of light kits for popular rack brands on the market and has universal options as well.