Insurance and registration for cyclists?

[whole diary]

[grahame]

From The Guardian

Transport groups and opposition parties have reacted with bafflement to a proposal by Grant Shapps to look at mandatory insurance and registration for cyclists, something previously rejected by the Department for Transport (DfT^» (Department for Transport - about)) as impractical and counter-productive.

In an interview with the Daily Mail that appeared to surprise his own officials, the transport secretary said he “absolutely” wanted to extend speed limits to cyclists, adding: “I see no reason why cyclists should break the road laws and be able to get away with it.”

He added: “That obviously does then lead you into the question of, well, how are you going to recognise the cyclist, do you need registration plates and insurance and that sort of thing? So I’m proposing there should be a review of insurance and how you actually track cyclists who do break the laws.”

I can't say I'm surprised. It must be deeply frustrating for The Government that they haven't been able to tax or gain much income from fining cyclists ...

[Bmblbzzz]

I refer to my post in the "£2 bus fare" thread:
http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=26638.msg324784#msg324784

[CyclingSid]

The administrative costs will probably out weigh what ever income they might get.

Railway staff, cyclists, I wonder who is next on Shapps' hit list. I am pretty sure it won't be motorists.

[Marlburian]

This Guardian article puts things into a sort of perspective. I suspect that the Daily Mail , long seen as hostile to cyclists, distorted the facts.

The story led to a long thread on my Nextdoor neighbourhood forum. Complaints about the perceived antics of cyclists and e-scooterists feature frequently, but this time there were many posts about the impracticability of the suggestion.

The incident adds to the impression of a vacuum within Government, with its leader demob happy and on another holiday (couldn't he have waited three weeks) and many of his Ministers engaged in the protracted contest for his successor.

[TaplowGreen]

I think these sorts of proposals inevitably descend pretty rapidly into motorist v cyclist which is quite possibly the most pointless debate on the planet as neither side is prepared to acknowledge their own shortcomings or give an inch, and both are convinced of their own virtues and righteousness.

I can see the argument for compulsory helmet wearing for cyclists and as a cyclist I support it - the benefits are proven scientifically and medically - however number plates and registration for cyclists? Really?  Can I have TG1? 

[ChrisB]

Needed if insurance is required to enable claims to be made against said insurance.

[Mark A]

It's another dead cat distraction deploying one off the list of the target audience's hate groups. In a sane country this would be subject to a jolly good ignoring from the rest of the media.

Mark

[JayMac]

Cyclist insurance is actually a wise investment- as protection against the costs resulting from injury to oneself, damage to the bicycle, or theft. Injury and damage can be as a result of accidents not involving other road users. And even when another insured road user is involved, having your own insurance for injury and/or cycle damage can be useful.

Compulsory registration and third party liabilty though? Bonkers idea.

[Bmblbzzz]

AIUI^▸ (as I understand it) third party liability is often included in household insurance.

[TaplowGreen]

AIUI^▸ (as I understand it) third party liability is often included in household insurance.

I think you may find that provides cover in the event of someone having an accident and being injured in your home, or if their belongings are damaged in your home, not in the event that you (potentially, for example) clobber a pedestrian on your pushbike 20 miles away.

[eXPassenger]

AIUI^▸ (as I understand it) third party liability is often included in household insurance.

I think you may find that provides cover in the event of someone having an accident and being injured in your home, or if their belongings are damaged in your home, not in the event that you (potentially, for example) clobber a pedestrian on your pushbike 20 miles away.

My AXA Home Insurance policy states that it covers 'the private pursuits of you and your family'.  It specifically excludes vehicles or crafts.  From this I believe I have third party cover when cycling.

[JayMac]

If Mr Shapps is adamant he's continuing down this particular rabbit hole then perhaps he should consider registration and insurance for mobility scooter users too?

BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) News - Boy, 3, hit by mobility scooter and taken to hospital
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-62592184

Roller blades/skates? Heelies? Jogging/Running? All have the potential for collisions with third parties causing injury.

[JayMac]

It's also worth noting that the only country on the planet that requires registration and number plates for bicycles is that bastion of freedom and democracy, North Korea...

A great example to follow, Kim Jong Shapps.

[Bmblbzzz]

In Kafka's Trial, the document used by K to prove his identity is described as a bicycle licence, but it's not clear whether this is a licence to own or to ride a bicycle. Not that the difference matters in the context.

[Robin Summerhill]

It's another dead cat distraction deploying one off the list of the target audience's hate groups. In a sane country this would be subject to a jolly good ignoring from the rest of the media.

Mark

I also think that there is an unfortunate tendency by politicians in general, and Grant Shpps in particular, to aim for headline-grabbing withouy bothering tothink these "polices" through.

In this particular case, obvious practical problems are:

•   When one branch of government is people to walk and cycle to get fitter and save the NHS some money, and also to help with pollution and global warming, now is hardly the time to put obstacles in they of cycling
•   There are no age limits on cycling, and some are ridden by children below the age if criminal responsibility
•   Cycles are not fitted with speedometers, and to legislate for retro-fitting would be more than is required for older cars under current legislation


Meanwhile, other headline-grabbing howlers have included-

•   Use agency workers to break strikes. Will all agency workers who sign the road from Euston to Preston. Liverpool and Manchester, or are signalling competent, please form an orderly queue. You can gather in that phone box over there...
•   Why can’t maintenance workers in St Pancras walk over to Kings cross to work over there? They’re all maintenance workers, after all! Good idea – we could do the same with politicians – why not just install Kier Starmer as PM? He’s a politician too, you know...