‘Make cyclists take a road test to weed out Lycra louts’

CYCLISTS should take a riding test to cut the risk of “Lycra lout” behaviour, a survey of motorists found.

One in three car drivers said they have been subjected to road rage from a biker.

And three out of four called for cyclists to be licensed to ride on the roads.

The poll exposes the tension between drivers and cyclists.

Many motorists feel that cyclists flout the rules of the road by jumping red lights or weaving in and out of traffic.

But those on two wheels protest that their lives are put at risk by bad driving. In 2014, 113 cyclists were killed on our roads, according to official figures.

And a further 3,401 were seriously injured.

The survey found that 52 per cent of motorists have been in a row with a cyclist, but 14 per cent admitted to having had an accident with a cyclist.

The favoured solutions were forcing cyclists to get a licence (73 per cent of drivers) and confining them to the pavement (42 per cent).

George Charles, of vouchercodespro.co.uk, which commissioned the poll, said: “Cyclists often get a hard time from motorists but motorists also do sometimes get a hard time from cyclists.

“The road would be a much safer place if all parties adhered to road rules all of the time.”

Cycling UK spokesman David Murray said introducing a cycling licence would be “hugely expensive” for taxpayers.

Talk of a rift was misguided as 82 per cent of Cycling UK members owned a car.

He said: “What we really need is safe, protected cycle facilities which allow people of all ages to enjoy the health and money-saving benefits of getting around by bike.”