Cyclists should be made to take Tests and have Insurance.

The Issue

Dear Reader,

 I have recently had a baby, and taking a walk with my buggy in London is not as easy as it should be. I have had countless cyclists ignore the green cross code and go through red lights when pedestrians like myself are crossing at the Green Man. On several occasions, it has, in the past, forced me to stop in the middle of the road for them to dangerously swerve past me. It is not only a frustrating matter, but also incredibly dangerous for me and my 3 month old baby.

I personally don't drive but have spoken to many car users who do and say that most accidents are caused by cyclists for not knowing the green cross code. This is why I am asking for you to support me in proposing that the government and TFL are to enforce tests just like motoring exams, for cyclists on the roads. The test should then follow by a card just like a driving licence.

What would this achieve you ask? 

I am in full support of cycling and getting around london the greener way, however it would enable a safer and more pleasurable journey where ever you are going having full confidence that there are rules and laws set in place to safer the roads. 

As well as this, To help report issues and disputes with cyclists, a number plate should also be issued, to help identify a cyclist to the police in cases of disputes or accients.. Insurance will help any cyclist facing an accident, where either bike or car has damage or if the cyclist is critically injured and out of work. It will also protect drivers for accidents that wasn't their fault.

Most importantly this isn't just to protect pedestrians like myself, but to ensure that cyclists know they must wear a helmet, they must have knowledge of road markings and also when to stop for pedestrians. It would stop so many accidents and collisions for both other road users but also those on the pavement.

Please follow my petition, to help gain a safer and more importantly a better Road experience for us all. 

Thank you,

Anna-Elizabeth 

avatar of the starter
Annabeth Ravensdale-RichesPetition Starter
Media enquiries
This petition had 23 supporters

The Issue

Dear Reader,

 I have recently had a baby, and taking a walk with my buggy in London is not as easy as it should be. I have had countless cyclists ignore the green cross code and go through red lights when pedestrians like myself are crossing at the Green Man. On several occasions, it has, in the past, forced me to stop in the middle of the road for them to dangerously swerve past me. It is not only a frustrating matter, but also incredibly dangerous for me and my 3 month old baby.

I personally don't drive but have spoken to many car users who do and say that most accidents are caused by cyclists for not knowing the green cross code. This is why I am asking for you to support me in proposing that the government and TFL are to enforce tests just like motoring exams, for cyclists on the roads. The test should then follow by a card just like a driving licence.

What would this achieve you ask? 

I am in full support of cycling and getting around london the greener way, however it would enable a safer and more pleasurable journey where ever you are going having full confidence that there are rules and laws set in place to safer the roads. 

As well as this, To help report issues and disputes with cyclists, a number plate should also be issued, to help identify a cyclist to the police in cases of disputes or accients.. Insurance will help any cyclist facing an accident, where either bike or car has damage or if the cyclist is critically injured and out of work. It will also protect drivers for accidents that wasn't their fault.

Most importantly this isn't just to protect pedestrians like myself, but to ensure that cyclists know they must wear a helmet, they must have knowledge of road markings and also when to stop for pedestrians. It would stop so many accidents and collisions for both other road users but also those on the pavement.

Please follow my petition, to help gain a safer and more importantly a better Road experience for us all. 

Thank you,

Anna-Elizabeth 

avatar of the starter
Annabeth Ravensdale-RichesPetition Starter
Media enquiries

The Decision Makers

Sadiq Khan
Sadiq Khan
Mayor of London
Responded
“Dear Petitioners Thank you for the petition submitted on the change.org website about licensing and insuring cyclists. Cycling improves the quality of life for all Londoners by cutting road and rail crowding, reducing noise and pollution and it’s a great way of improving health, which is why the Mayor is supportive of cycling. We need to do more to improve cycling safety. Transport for London (TfL) achieved its original 2020 target of a 40% reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured on the capital’s roads six years early and is now working to a target of a 50% reduction by 2020. Cyclists must also respect the rules of the road and maintain the ethos of ‘responsible cycling’ and mutual respect between cyclists and other road users. To achieve this, TfL promotes the message that the Highway Code must be adhered to by all road users, including cyclists. TfL is actively working with the Metropolitan Police Service Roads and Transport Policing Command (RTPC) to significantly reduce offences such as jumping red lights, cycling on the pavement and cycling at night without adequate lighting. Through this partnership, 2,300 officers have boosted traffic policing and enforcement against the behaviour that creates risk on the capital’s roads significantly, namely careless driving or cycling, and ignoring traffic signs and junction controls. Operation Safeway, launched in November 2013, is a high visibility roadside enforcement operation, which sees hundreds of officers from the RTPC mobilised at key times in an effort to reduce risk to all road users by enforcing the rules of the road, and engaging with these users on how to use the road safely. Officers are usually deployed during weekday mornings between 07:30 – 09:30, and evening rush hour between 15:30 – 18:30 at key junctions across London, taking action against behaviour that creates risk and danger on London’s roads. The operation runs at least two days every month with more intensive phases of activity throughout the year. Since the launch of Operation Safeway, over 20,000 Fixed Penalty Notices or Traffic Offence Reports have been issued for a variety of offences. As part of TfL’s Cycle Safety Action Plan, it is working together with the London boroughs to double the number of adult cyclists receiving advanced safety skills training. Cycle Skills training is free and available to anyone who lives, works or studies in London. Several thousand cyclists are members of cycling groups such as the National Cycling Charity and the London Cycling Campaign. These groups offer automatic third party insurance for their members should they be involved in a collision with other road users, but there is no practical mechanism for making this compulsory in London. In addition, there is no other European country which has a cycle registration system. Any change to the law that would require cyclists to register their bikes, carry insurance or be licensed, would require legislation at a national level and lies outside of the Mayor's jurisdiction. There is also no legal requirement in the UK for cyclists to wear cycle helmets, which means it is up to each individual to decide whether or not they wish to wear one. Cyclist safety tips on the TfL website, and information provided to Cycle Hire users, encourage cyclists to consider wearing a helmet. Similarly, wearing high visibility or protective clothing in the UK is not a legal requirement, once again meaning it is up to each individual to decide whether or not they wish to wear these. Any decision to make the wearing of cyclist safety equipment compulsory is also outside of the remit of both TfL and the Mayor, requiring legislation at a national level. You may therefore like to raise this concern with your MP and the Department for Transport. Thank you again for writing to the Mayor. Yours sincerely Public Liaison Unit Greater London Authority”
Transport For London
Transport For London

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Petition created on 3 June 2016