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A 852

Requires bicycles advertised for sale or resale in New York state to have an identifying serial number and for such serial number to be posted in any advertisement for such bicycle

2025 Regular Session Introduced by George Alvarez and 5 co-sponsors

Requires all bikes sold or advertised in New York to carry a visible serial number and show that serial in every ad, boosting theft prevention and faster recovery.

REFERRED TO CONSUMER PROTECTION
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Bill Summary · A 852

Summary — Assembly Bill A852

Status: Referred to Senate Consumer Protection (delivered to Senate 2025-05-20)
Introduced: January 9, 2024 (Assembly) — Passed Assembly May 20, 2025
Primary sponsor: Assemblymember Amy Paulin (cosponsors: Angelo Santabarbara, Grace Lee, William Colton, George Alvarez, David Weprin)
Related/companion: S1541

Note: The full enrolled bill text was not provided with the materials you supplied (the attached version content appears unrelated). This summary is based on the bill title, legislative history, and available metadata. Consult the official legislative text for precise language, definitions, enforcement provisions, penalties, and exemptions.

Purpose / Intent

The bill requires that any bicycle offered for sale or resale in New York State include an identifying serial number, and that the serial number be displayed in any advertisement for the bicycle. The intent is to reduce sale and purchase of stolen bicycles, increase traceability, and assist law enforcement and owners in recovery efforts.

Key provisions (as described in the title / summary)

  • Requirement that bicycles advertised for sale or resale in New York have an identifying serial number.
  • Requirement that the bicycle’s identifying serial number be posted in any advertisement for the bicycle.
  • Applies to advertisements (likely including online listings, print ads, and possibly in-person sale notices) — exact scope depends on statutory definitions in the bill text.

Who would be affected

  • Private sellers of bicycles (individuals reselling bikes).
  • Commercial sellers and bicycle dealers.
  • Online marketplaces and classified-ad platforms that facilitate bicycle sales (may be required to ensure serial numbers are included in listings or adopt new listing rules).
  • Buyers of used bicycles (greater ability to verify legitimacy).
  • Law enforcement and registered bike recovery programs (improved ability to link listings to reported thefts).
  • Consumers and advocacy groups focused on theft prevention and property recovery.

Enforcement, exemptions & penalties

  • The provided materials did not include specific enforcement mechanisms, penalties for noncompliance, or any exemptions (for example, for antique bicycles or for bicycles without pre-existing serials).
  • Typical options a bill like this might include: civil penalties, authority for consumer protection agencies to enforce, obligations on platforms to remove non-compliant listings, and carve-outs or certification processes for bicycles lacking readable serial numbers. Confirm actual mechanisms in the official bill text.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced in the Assembly 2024-01-09.
  • Advanced through committee and amended on third reading (amendment versions noted as A852A and A852B in April–May 2025).
  • Passed the Assembly on May 20, 2025, and was delivered to the Senate the same day; referred to the Senate Consumer Protection Committee.
  • Companion bill in the Senate: S1541.

Potential impacts / considerations

  • Public safety benefit: could deter trafficking of stolen bikes and speed recovery.
  • Administrative burden: sellers and marketplaces may need to modify listing practices and verification processes.
  • Compliance challenges: many used bikes lack legible serials; the bill’s effectiveness will depend on how the law handles such cases and whether it includes guidance for altering/assigning serial identifiers.
  • Market effects: possible reduction in anonymous resale, but also potential barriers for casual sellers if platforms or enforcement are strict.

Recommendation / next steps

  • Review the official enrolled bill language to confirm definitions (what counts as “advertised,” how “identifying serial number” is defined), enforcement provisions, penalties, and any exemptions or implementation timelines.
  • Monitor Senate Consumer Protection committee actions and the companion S1541 for parallel or differing language.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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