| For the vast majority of road users, a licence and | | | | to use a public road. And this is where the |
| some sort of registration plate such as a number | | | | argument for number plates on bicycles comes in. |
| plate is a legal requirement to be able to drive on | | | | A degree of accountability |
| the road. But there is one group of road users | | | | It's very difficult to identify a cyclist in a road |
| who do not have to have any form of licensing, | | | | traffic situation. With no easily recognisable |
| identification or even a formal qualification to use | | | | number plate, a cyclist can simply disappear into |
| the public highways. That group is cyclists. | | | | the traffic and you as a driver are left shaking |
| First taste of freedom | | | | your fist again. Even if you did want to report |
| Most of us first learn to ride a bicycle at a very | | | | them for running a red light, for example, how |
| early age. It is often our first real taste of both | | | | would you go about it? Unless there is a police |
| freedom and responsibility. While cycling | | | | officer at the scene, the chances that an errant |
| proficiency tests are now down to a matter of | | | | cyclist guilty of dangerous road-craft will go |
| choice for individual schools, there is no other | | | | unpunished. But a number plate, even if that was |
| form of mandatory testing to ensure that | | | | a personalised number plate of some kind, would |
| someone is safe and proficient in the use of a | | | | give both you as the witness (or victim) and the |
| bicycle and is familiar with the basic laws of the | | | | authorities the ability to trace the cyclist and hold |
| road. Cycling is one of the only forms of | | | | them to account. |
| transport where you can literally go into a shop, | | | | But once again, we're back to that knotty |
| buy a vehicle and ride out a few minutes later | | | | problem of a person's basic human right to travel |
| with no formal training, no licence requirements | | | | under their own power. A bicycle is not a |
| and no registration plate. The law only requires | | | | motorised vehicle. It does not have to pass an |
| vehicles powered by combustion engines to carry | | | | MOT and the rider does not have to have |
| number plates. | | | | insurance to ride one. Perhaps this is the first area |
| With millions of cyclists on the roads, that | | | | that could be addressed. |
| translates to millions of people who are | | | | A basic form of insurance would at least give |
| completely unregistered, uninsured and, in the | | | | someone involved in an incident with a cyclist |
| event of an accident, theoretically untraceable. | | | | some form of redress. If a cyclist runs into your |
| This has been a bone of contention for years. | | | | car and puts a dent in the wing, there is nothing |
| How many times have you, as a motorist, shaken | | | | you can do to claim any form of compensation |
| an angry fist at a cyclist and asked yourself why | | | | back. With insurance, you could at least carry out |
| cyclists don't have number plates so you can | | | | that traditional roadside pastime and 'exchange |
| report them? | | | | details'. It would also benefit the cyclist as well, |
| The arguments against number plates on bicycles | | | | giving them a degree of protection in the event |
| are that it challenges the idea that you need a | | | | of an accident. |
| licence to travel under your own power. If we | | | | But if you can't identify the other party in the |
| follow that line of reasoning, then wouldn't | | | | first place, what chance do you as a motorist |
| pedestrians also require a 'licence' so that they do | | | | have of finding recourse? Theoretically, none |
| not wander into traffic or cross the road at | | | | whatsoever. And as our roads become more |
| non-designated areas? And how exactly would | | | | crowded, it is this that is being put forward as |
| you police that? Driving a vehicle such as a car or | | | | one of the main arguments for number plates on |
| motorcycle requires far more skill than riding a | | | | bicycles. It would add accountability where there is |
| bicycle and there is undoubtedly a greater risk | | | | currently none. Being identifiable by a number plate |
| factor purely because of the greater mass | | | | may make cyclists more inclined to pay closer |
| involved. So consequently, motorists and | | | | attention to the rules of the road, as well as |
| motorcyclists undergo strict testing and licence | | | | affording them a greater level of protection. |
| controls so that they are identifiable in the event | | | | The question is - where would you fit them? |
| of an accident and deemed as competent enough | | | | |