London, United Kingdom (CU)_ If the UK government follows through with its proposals to introduce cycling regulations similar to those for motorists, then British cyclists may be required to carry insurance and registration plates for their bicycles.
According to Grant Shapps, secretary of transport, motorists and cyclists should be treated equally by the law. Certain cyclists in urban areas do not follow 20 mph (32 km/h) speed limits, ride in pedestrian walkways, and even do not follow the traffic lights as they believe they can escape from it easily. At the same time, there are issues that car drivers frequently treat cyclists poorly by cutting them off and not leaving enough space while passing.
Shapps also wants to eliminate a legal loophole by introducing a new rule regarding death by unsafe riding. Accordingly, vehicle drivers guilty of death by reckless driving face life in prison, but cyclists convicted of murder face a maximum of two years in prison. Cycling aficionados have mixed feelings about the plans, and its not just because an obligatory cycle registration program would make the United Kingdom the only nation in the world to have such a program in place besides North Korea, but also because the idea itself is not very appealing.
Duncan Dollimore, chief of campaigns at Cycling UK, expressed his views on the issue. He said, “As the cost of living ramps up, we’re seeing more people turning to cycling to meet their local transport needs. Rather than proposing expensive barriers to cycling more, we need this government to encourage people to cycle more, not less.”
Shapps was also criticized by opposition MPs, but he said he had no objection with bicycles. Shapps said, “I don’t want to stop people from getting on their bike. It’s a fantastic way to travel, and we’ve seen a big explosion of cycling during Covid and since. But I see no reason why cyclists should break the road laws and be able to get away with it.”
