Cyclists must do compulsory basic training!

The Issue

As we all know you can jump on a bike without any insurance, tax or mot. But we also know we can get on a bike without taking a test. If someone wants to get a 50cc scooter that can only go 30 the must do a CBT (compulsory basic training) fair enough they are slightly different things but at the end of the day a cbt is to show that you are safe on the road. As far as insurance goes, myself a truck driver have seen where many cyclist are to blame for damaging people vehicles and have no insurance for the victim to claim off so they have to claim of there own insurance for something that wasn't there fault! Most off the time it's gets put down to the drivers fault even when the cyclists full to blame. For Mot bike should have appropriate lighting (none of these candle markers.) both bright lighting front and back If there is a law on cyclists where they have to have CBT and get there bike check its road legal, there will be less accidents as cyclist will have more knowledge of the roads. Would be also got for cyclist to see them self from a HGV driver point of view and see how hard it is to really see themselves!
avatar of the starter
David ReidPetition Starter
Media enquiries
This petition had 11 supporters

The Issue

As we all know you can jump on a bike without any insurance, tax or mot. But we also know we can get on a bike without taking a test. If someone wants to get a 50cc scooter that can only go 30 the must do a CBT (compulsory basic training) fair enough they are slightly different things but at the end of the day a cbt is to show that you are safe on the road. As far as insurance goes, myself a truck driver have seen where many cyclist are to blame for damaging people vehicles and have no insurance for the victim to claim off so they have to claim of there own insurance for something that wasn't there fault! Most off the time it's gets put down to the drivers fault even when the cyclists full to blame. For Mot bike should have appropriate lighting (none of these candle markers.) both bright lighting front and back If there is a law on cyclists where they have to have CBT and get there bike check its road legal, there will be less accidents as cyclist will have more knowledge of the roads. Would be also got for cyclist to see them self from a HGV driver point of view and see how hard it is to really see themselves!
avatar of the starter
David ReidPetition Starter
Media enquiries

The Decision Makers

Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson
Prime Minister
Responded
“ Dear Petitioner Thank you for the petition submitted on the change.org website about compulsory training for cyclists. Any change to the law that would require cyclists to register their bikes, or to carry insurance, would require legislation at a national level and lies outside of the Mayor's jurisdiction. That being said, the Mayor has previously stated that he does not support the registration or licensing of cyclists because of the significant bureaucratic effort that would result. Any change must be proportionate to the problem. The number of incidents where cyclists cause harm to others is small and the harm where it does happen, is nearly always minor. Therefore, the police have to strike a balance against the scale of the problem. The Mayor does though recognise that this is a significant public concern and last year launched the Roads Transport Policing Command (RTPC) further to improve the safety and security of London’s roads and surface transport networks. With over 2,300 officers, the RTPC is the UK’s largest police command. Transport for London’s (TfL’s) partnership with the RTPC has seen a significant boost in traffic policing, with visible enforcement of traffic laws and the behaviour that creates risk on the capital’s roads. TfL regularly runs ‘Safeway’ operations, deploying uniformed officers to key junctions where high-visibility enforcement and education activity is undertaken to improve road user behaviour. Taking October last year as an example, Operation Safeway activity resulted in over 3,000 traffic offence reports being issued, with 77 arrests being made (including cyclists). The Mayor encourages all Londoners to undertake cycle training. Each London borough offers free or heavily-subsidised child and adult cycle training to anyone who lives, works or studies in the capital. Transport for London (TfL) funds cycle training through the boroughs’ Local Implementation Plans, its Borough Cycling Programme and other funding streams. The majority of cycle training is delivered at schools, though many boroughs also offer holiday courses and family training. TfL works closely with the boroughs and the cycle training industry to ensure all cycle training delivered in London complies with the Bikeability national standards set by the Department for Transport. Bikeability is a progressive syllabus that sees trainees progress from level 1 (off-road training), through level 2 (basic on road training) and eventually to level 3 when they are ready (advanced on-road training). As part of Cycling Workplaces, employers can request Commuter Cycle Skills Sessions (cycle training) for their employees. These can be one-hour taster sessions delivered by a cycle trainer at the workplace, or two-hour 1-2-1 sessions. If you would like to find out more about cycle training, I would encourage you to visit TfL’s website at: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/cycling-in-london/cycle-skills?intcmp=2386. There is no legal requirement in the UK for cyclists to wear high visibility or protective clothing and it is currently a matter for the individual to judge what they consider is appropriate. TfL encourages cyclists to be safe and to be seen by wearing bright and reflective clothing. Similarly, the use of cycle helmets in the UK is not a legal requirement, which means it is up to each individual to decide whether or not they wish to wear one. Information provided to Cycle Hire users encourage cyclists to consider wearing a helmet, with further Cycling Safety tips available on the TfL website at: https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/safety/road-safety-advice. In addition, in relation to your point on cyclists understanding safety from a HGV driver’s point of view, the “Exchanging Places” programme brings together the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), London boroughs and operators to educate cyclists of vehicle blind spots. The MPS and City of London Police hold regular “Exchanging Places” sessions. These events give cyclists the opportunity to sit in the driver's seat of a HGV or bus to allow the cyclist to see what the driver can and cannot see at the kerbside and directly in front of their vehicle. Over 13,000 cyclists have taken part in these events, with 97 per cent saying they will change their behaviour as a result. London boroughs can help to provide support for Exchanging Places events by funding HGV hire, providing a venue and space, or by paying for add-ons such as Dr Bike sessions. To host an Exchanging Places event, I would encourage you to email CycleTaskForce@met.police.uk. Yours sincerely Public Liaison Officer Greater London Authority ”
David Cameron MP
David Cameron MP
Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party

Petition Updates

Share this petition

Petition created on 15 January 2016