Northern Echo readers appear divided over the suggestion that cyclists should be insured and display registration numbers if they want to ride on the roads.

This week Transport Secretary Grant Shapps revealed that he was keen to crack down on cyclists that break laws such as speeding in 20mph zones.

He went on to say that there should be a review of whether cyclists should have insurance and over how the authorities could track riders who do break laws – leading to some speculation that registration numbers could be fitted to bicycles.

Hundreds of Northern Echo readers took to our Facebook page to discuss the notion and it certainly divided opinion.

Many said they would welcome the move, with some complaining about cyclists who ride on pavements, cycle through red lights and insist on riding on roads when cycle lanes are available.

Read more: Black-clad robber on a bicycle kicked a woman and stole her purse

Christina Allison took to Facebook to say that cyclists ‘need to be accountable for their actions’ while Pamela Thornton said: “I agree bike riders should have insurance, they do cause accidents at times.

“So why not?”

Anthony Hawes posted: “About time, sensible idea for both drivers and cyclists,” and Bob Joey Leach agreed, saying: “They should also be taxed!

“Not fair that I pay for road maintenance every time I fill up, but cyclists pay nothing and now have their own lane paid for by gas tax.”

Margaret Metcalfe also thinks it’s a good idea, saying: “Totally agree with this, they want the same rights to the roads as motor vehicles, then they should be willing to be accountable.

“Too many speed and just go through red lights.”

The Northern Echo: A suggestion that cyclists should be insured and display registration numbers has divided opinion (file photo) Picture: PixabayA suggestion that cyclists should be insured and display registration numbers has divided opinion (file photo) Picture: Pixabay

However, not everybody was behind the idea, with Christopher Milburn saying: “Factor in how are children meant to register and insure a pedal bike?

“Can you declare it off-road if unused?

“The admin burden and cost for police, insurers, the DVLA that will be passed on to the public will be huge.”

Scott Newbook described the idea of imposing insurance charges on cyclists as ‘a joke’ adding: “Next we will have to pay road tax and pay as you go insurance on our running shoes if we jog or run on the roadside.”

While Donna Marie Coulthard posted: “Fantastic, there’s the government making more money from those who have turned to cycling to and from work or simply as a means of commuting from A to B in support of the planet, or because of the overall raise in fuel prices and strain on their finances.

“It’s a rich man’s world. Will always be a no-win situation.”

Oz Hosmer also questioned the morals of imposing insurance costs on cyclists, saying: “I ride to work every day because I can't afford a car.

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“Now with the cost of living in effect I'm going to have a choose whether to afford to pay for these stupid ideas, which are unenforceable, or put food on the table/heat my home.”

Others said that Mr Shapps’s comments were designed to create a distraction from the current crises affecting the country under the Conservative government.

After Mr Shapps’s quotes were published online, he gave an interview to the Times in which he said he was “not attracted to the bureaucracy of registration plates”, adding that such a move “would go too far”.

The Department for Transport (DfT) press office later clarified it is not government policy to introduce speed limits for cyclists and any proposals would need to be reviewed by the new prime minister.

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