No road rego for these cyclists

Last month the SheSpoke newsletter covered an article that promoted driver-style registration and licensing for cyclists. The article had appeared in The Brisbane Times.

Forty-seven percent of the 400 cyclists surveyed by bike retailer 99 Bikes said they would be prepared to pay a registration fee to ride compared to 53 per cent who thought it was "ridiculous".

The majority of those in favor of a licensing scheme said they would only fork out if the money was put towards more bike paths for them to use.

SheSpoke members were asked for their opinion and these two letters have succinctly put forward the majority of views from our newsletter readers.

'My generic response to those who propose `licensing' bicycle riders is; "Oh yes, absolutely, as long as it stops all those `hoon' cyclists, in the same way as it stops `hoon' drivers." But when they licence me, will they please give me a reduction in my taxes for every time I ride my bike instead of drive the car, and consequently reduce road transport infrastructure wear and tear, and for every time I reduce the burden on our public medical system, of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stress and other medical conditions brought on by sedentary lifestyles, and for my reduction in carbon footprint etc?'

'I am opposed to this. I drive a car, cycle part way to work three days a week, and use public transport for the other two days a week. I also work in health care and feel despair at the lack of effort by governments and local councils to support sustainable transport, and to encourage everyone to get healthier and do more exercise. At 56, thankfully I will be retired before the real crunch hits health care, and the taxpayer's pocket.

Lots of people lobbying to licence bike riders don't understand how roads are funded. They say 'bike riders should contribute to roads'. Well as a taxpayer, I do. Roads are paid for by my taxes, regardless of whether I drive or ride a bike. Car registration pays for people injured in accidents on the roads; these are overwhelmingly caused by cars not bikes. If this argument is extended, then pedestrians should be 'licensed' to use footpaths. How ridiculous.

Licensing bikes will not make the roads safer. Roads will be made safer when police have a physical presence on the roads, to book and fine law breakers whatever mode of transport they use. Police seem to be much less visible out and about, so the unsafe activities of drivers on mobile phones, and numerous other driving offences, continue with little likelihood of apprehension. There are also cyclists who break the law, but having a bike registration will not stop that behaviour. It is not up to other road users to enforce the laws; it is up to the police.

Finally, as a health promotion exercise, making bike riders obtain a registration or a licence, will increase the costs to cyclists and may put some people, who cycle only occasionally, give up their bikes in favour of their cars.

There is also no evidence that a registration system would work, it would likely cost more to administer than it would raise.'