2 Things I would change...

[GrumpyGregry]

Although I agree with you in the idea being unworkable, you'd be surprised how badly many of us would drive if not kept in check by having identifying markers on our vehicles.

Sure, many drivers break the law anyway... but you might be surprised by the number who would do so if anonymity were guaranteed.

then I would ensure traffic police are equipped with RPG's.

But seriously, every one of the millions of people who have ever been given points and a fixed penalty by a camera sort of prove my point....

 

[defy-one]

help me out... so I can understand your perspective properly, how many people did pedestrians or cyclists kill or seriously injure in the last 10 years compared with motorists?

So cyclists or pedestrian does something to cross the path of a car doing 30/40 mph and it's the drivers fault?
People assume a zebra crossing gives them the right to set foot into the road - silly irresponsible behaviour

 

[theclaud]

So cyclists or pedestrian does something to cross the path of a car doing 30/40 mph and it's the drivers fault?
People assume a zebra crossing gives them the right to set foot into the road - silly irresponsible behaviour

People have the right to set foot in the road whether there is a zebra crossing or not. And long may it remain that way.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

So cyclists or pedestrian does something to cross the path of a car doing 30/40 mph and it's the drivers fault?
People assume a zebra crossing gives them the right to set foot into the road - silly irresponsible behaviour

which part do you think is an assumption?

 

[Paul J]

Oh.come.on. What are the polis going to do, come round and tell me off for not wearing hi-viz?

1) reporting errant drivers isn't easy in most places. It isn't even welcomed by polis in most places.
2) once reported only a tiny % of drivers get given a talking to/letter
3) of that tiny % only a tinier % get prosecuted

It's not as if having a registration plate acts as any sort of deterrence to drivers' law breaking.

Whats the problem with cyclists being treated like other road users? If cyclists had a registered vehicle that could be traced back to an owner maybe they wouldn't jump red lights, ride on the pavement etc. Pedestrians as well as other road users would have an easy way of identifying a cycle and reporting it. Like all legislation it costs money to introduce but making cyclists have insurance and an anual inspection has to be a good thing for the masses.

 

[Brandane]

So cyclists or pedestrian does something to cross the path of a car doing 30/40 mph and it's the drivers fault?

530kam, I see you've only been a member on here for a couple of weeks. You are finding out, as I did, that there are a sizeable number of members on here who see the internal combustion engine as the antichrist. They won't be happy until we are all back using horses and carts to keep Tescos shelves full.

In the meantime, to all of those other members here who enjoy their cars/motorbikes/speedboats/aeroplanes/whatever, as well as cycling; make hay while the sun shines! Burn as much of the stuff as you can while it is still affordable . One day the cycle fascists will have their way and the oil WILL run out, so we might as well enjoy it while we can.

PS. I was at the Pedal on Parliament cycle in Edinburgh last weekend, campaigning for better cycling facilities on ther roads. So I can see things from both sides; pity that some cyclists are so narrow minded that they can't tolerate other road users invading "their" space. They do none of us any favours.

 

[Paul J]

Well said Brandane

 

[srw]

Whats the problem with cyclists being treated like other road users? If cyclists had a registered vehicle that could be traced back to an owner maybe they wouldn't jump red lights, ride on the pavement etc. Pedestrians as well as other road users would have an easy way of identifying a cycle and reporting it. Like all legislation it costs money to introduce but making cyclists have insurance and an anual inspection has to be a good thing for the masses.

I drop a large rock on your head after stamping on it first.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Whats the problem with cyclists being treated like other road users? If cyclists had a registered vehicle that could be traced back to an owner maybe they wouldn't jump red lights, ride on the pavement etc. Pedestrians as well as other road users would have an easy way of identifying a cycle and reporting it. Like all legislation it costs money to introduce but making cyclists have insurance and an anual inspection has to be a good thing for the masses.

motorists have to be licensed. cyclists and pedestrians are on the roads as of right. will you make pedestrians wear reg plates too so they can be reported when they cross the road and inconvenience a motorist?

Cars are registered. Cars jump red lights, cars park on the pavement illegally. Cars are often driven uninsured. Get all that enforced and maybe your idea would hold water.

 

[Boris Bajic]

motorists have to be licensed. cyclists and pedestrians are on the roads as of right. will you make pedestrians wear reg plates too so they can be reported when they cross the road and inconvenience a motorist?

Cars are registered. Cars jump red lights, cars park on the pavement illegally. Cars are often driven uninsured. Get all that enforced and maybe your idea would hold water.

Mr Greg Collins, I agree with you completely that the mandatory registration and insurance of cycles has no legs, but I disagree with your final point.

Of course car drivers break the law. We all do. The registering and insuring bicycles would not suddenly become worthy of consideration if all drivers became angels overnight. It is a non-swimmer of an idea regardless of any comparison with driver behaviour.

I think we can sometimes weaken our argument by appearing to point at drivers, expecting them to obey the law at all times.

I think the idea of registering and insuring all cycles stinks in twelve different keys, but to make its consideration dependent on the behaviour of a separate group of road users is flawed.

I still think my two proposed changes (see OP) are best... but that's a part of my personality that my friends and family have been trying to deal with for decades.

 

[Paul J]

motorists have to be licensed. cyclists and pedestrians are on the roads as of right. will you make pedestrians wear reg plates too so they can be reported when they cross the road and inconvenience a motorist?

Cars are registered. Cars jump red lights, cars park on the pavement illegally. Cars are often driven uninsured. Get all that enforced and maybe your idea would hold water.

About time cyclists HAVE Insurance rather than mouth off how other road users are always to blame. The "It's my right" for cyclists attitude is starting to wear a bit thin. About time laws surrounding cyclists are modernised. Cyclists jump red lights, ride on the pavement, etc, etc. They are not above the law.

 

[ianrauk]

About time cyclists HAVE Insurance rather than mouth off how other road users are always to blame. The "It's my right" for cyclists attitude is starting to wear a bit thin. About time laws surrounding cyclists are modernised. Cyclists jump red lights, ride on the pavement, etc, etc. They are not above the law.

The majority of cyclists I know and ride with do have insurance. And can imagine a fair few on here do also.

 

[Paul J]

The majority of cyclists I know and ride with do have insurance. And can imagine a fair few on here do also.

I expect the ratio of uninsured cyclists in the UK is greater than the number that are.

 

[ianrauk]

I expect the ratio of uninsured cyclists in the UK is greater than the number that are.

You are indeed probably correct. However I can imagine that the cyclists that do 'mouth off' are more probable the ones with insurance.

Pavement cyclists, rlj'rs, they don't give a stuff at how they ride so why would they give a stuff about insurance?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I expect the ratio of uninsured cyclists in the UK is greater than the number that are.

I doubt that given that virtually every householder with insurance, and their family, will have some level of 3rd party/public liability cover.