A thread on another forum re the above subject is turning into a bit of a heated debate - I thought I would open it up here for wider discussion , starting with my contribution to the other thread :-
"I can see both sides of the above 'discussion' , but do see it as a sad reality that the conduct of the conspicuous minority of cyclists who flout the laws tarnish the reputation of the well behaved , and less noticeable majority . Equally , the poor conduct of some drivers creates hostility from some cyclists , giving rise to a 'them and us' attitude . As an occasional cyclist I would say that the vast majority of drivers are responsible and considerate towards cyclists , but it only takes one irresponsible driver to knock you off and kill you .
I have long been of the opinion , and have previously stated both here and elsewhere , that so many people on bikes get away with bad conduct because they cannot be identified and , for this reason , would support some form of numberplate to be displayed , perhaps something that is worn on the cyclist's back ( maybe a high-viz tabard with the number printed on it ? ) , an obligation to wear some sort of hi-viz attire can also only be a good thing - I think it should be the RIDER who is registered , though , rather than the bike because so many people have multiple bikes , or swap bikes with mates to try each other's out etc . I feel it is a shame to have any disincentive for people to get on bikes , but perhaps the admin costs of the above , plus some form of compulsory insurance ( perhaps insurance could be part of the registration scheme and be covered by the admin charge ? ) would weed out the reckless and dangerous people who ride bikes ( they are not 'cyclists' ) .
In the case of the 4x4 driver mentioned above ( EDIT , for info , in an earlier post on the other thread a member who was out cycling with friends was deliberately honked , shouted at then driven at by a 4x4 ) , Steve and his friends will have been able to note his number and complain to the police - with two corroborating statements , action can be taken against him . On the other hand , a bike rider can damage a car in the city , then disappear through traffic without ever being traced and brought to account .
My notion of such a scheme would need only to apply to those who actually ride on the roads amongst other traffic , and would be optional for those who only ride on cycle tracks ( converted ex-railway lines etc ) , young children ( primary school age ) who only cycle on pavements would not need to register until old enough and responsible enough to cycle on the roads .
Besides registration/insurance of 'cyclists' , there is also the matter of roadworthiness of bikes . I , like a lot of others , always make sure my bike is well maintained with tyres , brakes etc all in good order and always have at least one permanent front light plus a flashing LED , as well as a permanenent rear light plus flashing LED if likely to be out after dark , besides having extra LED's I can clip onto my clothing . I'm sure we have all seen the 'stealth riders' out at night with no lights , dark clothing etc ; I can also remember once being shouted whilst walking across a pedestrian crossing by the rider of a bike telling me he had NO BRAKES !!!
I wonder if there should not be some sort of 'bike MOT' which could be operated by bike shops , or maybe some clubs could do their own for members - for those who already take good care of their bikes it would be a very quick inspection ; for others who don;t know one end of a spanner from the other , it would get bikes in for at least an annual service and generate some business for the bike shops - good for the shops and good for the riders who ought to be safer as a result . Whilst people might not be charged solely for not having a roadworthiness certificate , a valid certificate showing the frame number of the bike could be asked for by insurers before any payout would be made .
Another open question - should it be compulsory for someone to have passed the Cycling Proficiency Test before being allowed to take a bike out on the roads and mix it with other traffic ?
I know that a lot of regulation , and some cost , would put some people off cycling at a time when the activity needs to be encouraged , but making people safe , visible , identifiable and accountable , as well as insured at least to a minimum level , can only be a good thing for all concerned .
I don't want to see life made difficult for anyone - I just want everyone to be SAFE .
Out of interest , as someone who cycles recreationally semi-regularly in the summer and rarely in the winter , usually on the country roads near my home , with a bike which originally cost around £500 some 10+ years ago and nowadays worth maybe £100 ?
What sort of ballpark figure would I be looking at if I wanted cycle insurance ? Are there any websites I can look at for cycle insurance ?
SWMBO also has a bike which is lucky if it comes out a couple of times a year ( maybe on holiday ) and Harris at two years old now has a bike but won't be going on road for a good few years yet so will only be cycling in the park or seaside prom for now - are there 'family' packages ?
Does cycle insurance help with the cost of injuries/loss of earnings in the event of an incident ( ie fully comp ) or does it tend to be third party cover ? "
"I can see both sides of the above 'discussion' , but do see it as a sad reality that the conduct of the conspicuous minority of cyclists who flout the laws tarnish the reputation of the well behaved , and less noticeable majority . Equally , the poor conduct of some drivers creates hostility from some cyclists , giving rise to a 'them and us' attitude . As an occasional cyclist I would say that the vast majority of drivers are responsible and considerate towards cyclists , but it only takes one irresponsible driver to knock you off and kill you .
I have long been of the opinion , and have previously stated both here and elsewhere , that so many people on bikes get away with bad conduct because they cannot be identified and , for this reason , would support some form of numberplate to be displayed , perhaps something that is worn on the cyclist's back ( maybe a high-viz tabard with the number printed on it ? ) , an obligation to wear some sort of hi-viz attire can also only be a good thing - I think it should be the RIDER who is registered , though , rather than the bike because so many people have multiple bikes , or swap bikes with mates to try each other's out etc . I feel it is a shame to have any disincentive for people to get on bikes , but perhaps the admin costs of the above , plus some form of compulsory insurance ( perhaps insurance could be part of the registration scheme and be covered by the admin charge ? ) would weed out the reckless and dangerous people who ride bikes ( they are not 'cyclists' ) .
In the case of the 4x4 driver mentioned above ( EDIT , for info , in an earlier post on the other thread a member who was out cycling with friends was deliberately honked , shouted at then driven at by a 4x4 ) , Steve and his friends will have been able to note his number and complain to the police - with two corroborating statements , action can be taken against him . On the other hand , a bike rider can damage a car in the city , then disappear through traffic without ever being traced and brought to account .
My notion of such a scheme would need only to apply to those who actually ride on the roads amongst other traffic , and would be optional for those who only ride on cycle tracks ( converted ex-railway lines etc ) , young children ( primary school age ) who only cycle on pavements would not need to register until old enough and responsible enough to cycle on the roads .
Besides registration/insurance of 'cyclists' , there is also the matter of roadworthiness of bikes . I , like a lot of others , always make sure my bike is well maintained with tyres , brakes etc all in good order and always have at least one permanent front light plus a flashing LED , as well as a permanenent rear light plus flashing LED if likely to be out after dark , besides having extra LED's I can clip onto my clothing . I'm sure we have all seen the 'stealth riders' out at night with no lights , dark clothing etc ; I can also remember once being shouted whilst walking across a pedestrian crossing by the rider of a bike telling me he had NO BRAKES !!!
I wonder if there should not be some sort of 'bike MOT' which could be operated by bike shops , or maybe some clubs could do their own for members - for those who already take good care of their bikes it would be a very quick inspection ; for others who don;t know one end of a spanner from the other , it would get bikes in for at least an annual service and generate some business for the bike shops - good for the shops and good for the riders who ought to be safer as a result . Whilst people might not be charged solely for not having a roadworthiness certificate , a valid certificate showing the frame number of the bike could be asked for by insurers before any payout would be made .
Another open question - should it be compulsory for someone to have passed the Cycling Proficiency Test before being allowed to take a bike out on the roads and mix it with other traffic ?
I know that a lot of regulation , and some cost , would put some people off cycling at a time when the activity needs to be encouraged , but making people safe , visible , identifiable and accountable , as well as insured at least to a minimum level , can only be a good thing for all concerned .
I don't want to see life made difficult for anyone - I just want everyone to be SAFE .
Out of interest , as someone who cycles recreationally semi-regularly in the summer and rarely in the winter , usually on the country roads near my home , with a bike which originally cost around £500 some 10+ years ago and nowadays worth maybe £100 ?
What sort of ballpark figure would I be looking at if I wanted cycle insurance ? Are there any websites I can look at for cycle insurance ?
SWMBO also has a bike which is lucky if it comes out a couple of times a year ( maybe on holiday ) and Harris at two years old now has a bike but won't be going on road for a good few years yet so will only be cycling in the park or seaside prom for now - are there 'family' packages ?
Does cycle insurance help with the cost of injuries/loss of earnings in the event of an incident ( ie fully comp ) or does it tend to be third party cover ? "
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