British cyclists could be forced to have insurance and registration plates for their bikes if the UK government follows through with plans to bring rules for cyclists in line with those for car drivers.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps wants to ensure car drivers and cyclists are treated the same by the legal system. While cyclists often get a raw deal at the hands of car drivers who cut them up and don’t leave enough room when passing, it’s also true that some cyclists in urban areas will break 20 mph (32 km/h) speed limits, cut across pedestrian walkways and run red lights knowing that they can get away with it.

Shapps also wants to introduce a new death by dangerous cycling law to close a loophole in the legal system. As it stands, car drivers convicted of death by dangerous driving can face life behind bars, yet a cyclist convicted of killing someone can only be jailed for a maximum of two years.

Cycling enthusiasts are less than enthusiastic about the proposals, and not only because a mandatory cycle registration scheme would make the UK the only country in the world other than North Korea to implement it.

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“As the cost of living ramps up, we’re seeing more people turning to cycling to meet their local transport needs,” said Duncan Dollimore, head of campaigns at Cycling UK. “Rather than proposing expensive barriers to cycling more, we need this government to encourage people to cycle more, not less.”

Shapps also received similar criticism from opposition politicians, but insisted he didn’t have a beef with cyclists.

“I don’t want to stop people from getting on their bike”, Shapps told The Daily Mail. “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.”

What do you think of the British government’s idea? Are you a driver (or pedestrian) fed of seeing some cyclists flout laws, or are you a law-abiding cyclist that thinks the plan is nuts and unnecessary? Either way, leave a comment and let us know.