Should cyclists be required by law to have a licence to use the roads?

IT TAKES a pedestrian to be killed by a cyclist to get any reaction from the Government, despite the record of injuries inflicted by cyclists on pedestrians and the threat to those pedestrians who have not yet fallen victim. The cycling fraternity, as usual, defends itself by claiming cyclists are the greater victims of road deaths and cycling is nothing like as dangerous as other forms of transport. There is no doubt, however, that cyclists are by far the least disciplined of wheeled traffic on and off the roads because they are largely unidentifiable. Talk of reviewing the cycling laws is not new. In 2011, Andrea Leadsom MP, now a government minister, tried to introduce a Private Members Dangerous and Reckless Cycling (Offences) Bill, but it failed to get its second reading. The Department for Transport said it would

‘consider the merits’ of a new law, paying lip-service to the issue, but has since done nothing. The provisions of that Bill would be a good starting point for the current review. The existing laws applying to cyclists are Section 85 of the 1888 Local Authorities Act, which grants cyclists the freedom of the roads as ‘carriages’; and Section 72 of the 1835 Highways Act, which bans bicycles from being driven or ridden on pavements. The laws make it clear that pavement cycling is not only illegal but a criminal offence, as are the traffic offences commonly committed by cyclists on the roads. While conducting his review, Transport Minister Jesse Norman could raise public awareness of the existing cycling laws, ensure that the police enforce them and encourage the public to challenge those who ride on the pavements. Popularising cycling without emphasising the responsibilities of cyclists is dangerous and disingenuous. TONY PURTON, London W13. I’M NOT keen on a road tax for cyclists, but in favour of a registration process for identification purposes. I would also like to see compulsory insurance above a certain age and, as the majority of cyclists are safe and considerate, I would expect premiums to be a fairly low cost. Ringing a bell to warn of approach should be mandatory. RON CHAMBERS, Coulsdon, Surrey. IS IT time for cyclists to be obliged by law to have a form of road licence? As there are now more and more cyclists, taking up more and more of the roads and contributing towards accidents and collisions, surely a licence for pedal cyclists is something that is long overdue? L. GADSBY, Truro, Cornwall.