Do you think cyclists should have to have a license?

I'm not sure on this one!
There are a lot of accidents involving cyclists on the road, and I cannot see that it would make a difference if they had a license!
Car drivers and bike riders would still collide and this would not stop if they had a piece of paper.
I guess they would have to learn some rules but I think most of these accidents are carelessness so not sure that would even make a difference.
So, if I have to give an answer, I would say possibly yes, so that SOME revenue could be raised perhaps to teach both drivers??
don't really know!

by Finy

No. I think we live in an over regulated society. I have been to India where a huge proportion of drivers are only licensed because they paid a corrupt official. Traffic is chaotic with people disobeying rules all over the place. It teaches a person to remain alert, and not to expect certain behaviour from another road user. Drivers don't get angry but somehow it works.
If cyclists have to get a license how long before pedestrians have to get one because they also use roads. I think cycle safety courses could be made available and everyone encouraged to do one. It is often the drivers of cars being unaware of cyclists that cause the accidents.

by annfi

I am on the same page as annfi, agree with those sentiments. Maybe not a license but perhaps insurance like the third party to assist if any accidents. however, the whole idea of riding a bike is to save costs, be healthy, get there faster, no parking fees and save the environment

by brigi

Sure! great idea to do all those things on a push bike......but, not on a road that had 'forces' that will kill you, if you are hit by them...Remember roads are made for Car--Buses-- Trucks--Heavy Loads.
Push Bikes are great, just not safe on roads...simple. I have had friends killed on Push Bikes, and it is a huge blow.

and that why there are dedicated bile traks in town

Not as many~~ as is needed, that is my whole point.

Since the earthquakes in Christchurch so many roads were damaged that it is quite difficult to get from A to B in a car. It has become more cycle friendly. I don't want a catastrophic event but would love to see our roads made more cycle friendly. People discouraged from driving a car but more cycle ways so using their bikes is safer.
I would love to ride a bike but I am way too scared of traffic. All cyclists are vulnerable including those on motor cycles. My husband was killed on one, and my son was badly hurt on his bicycle. Less cars would be good.

Well, if they are planning to ride on the road and obey the road rules, like any other vehicle, they should be licensed. Why should they get special treatment? We both use the same road, so same rules should apply.

by Lluxi

It's not quite the same though, is it, since it's a lot easier to cause serious harm to other people and property with a car than with a bicycle. They're also not doing the same harm to the environment.

I doubt that our licensing system is based on our 'ability to harm '. If it is, there is something seriously wrong.

That's an interesting idea. It would be expensive to implement and enforce though.

by Jennifer Muirhead

That's a good question. I have never thought about this before. I think there is some merit in the idea to have a licence to ride a bicycle. Maybe more cyclists would obey the rules of the road if there were sanctions??

by AJ

On the city street, yes. Riding on the street where you live no. But helmets should be mandatory.

by dwatk

they ARE mandatory

Yes. They are forever complaining about the state of the roads (& so many other things!), that perhaps the fee's could go toward upkeep.

by poppy

bicycles dont damage roads,

I didn't say THEY did - I meant they are always complaining about it, so maybe their fees could go toward upkeep...

Don't get me started!
They drive me crazy~ I'm still wondering how someone on a Bike! for crying out loud, is allowed on a road, with moving cars - Trucks - Buses- It is so dangerous....As far as a license, well what will that do now, seriously we the car drivers have to watch their every move, and we know there are so many who do not indicate, they are moving over when their lane comes to a stop.
If your a car driver, there would not be too many of us who do not cringe, when we see them on the road...and we are doing 60k's....I just slow way down, and hope that the cyclist makes no sudden moves....If one got hit, it's all over-red-rover for me!! They just should not be on the road, cars can not stop as quick, so as for truck drivers wow! It's impossible.

I have been driving 43 years, and say they are a pain, big time.A license for them, will not change anything I have come to accept that fact.

by jonaja

disagree with you, most car drivers are the pains, they care not for anyone else on the road including pedestrians, they dont indicate, most are on the phones or texting and pay no attention to their surroundings what so ever. and disobey traffic lights. I am a driver, cyclist and pedestrian and motor vehicles are the worst!

My 43 years on the road tells me a very different story. Roads are not user friendly for someone on a Push Bike. Don't care if it was 1974 or even now, which is more dangerous. Human beings can not withstand being hit by a car-truck-bus-anything that is made of metal, even doing low speed.

Just up from my place is a Miniature Traffic Training Centre, complete with traffic lights, roundabouts and pedestrian crossings, which is designed to teach children all of the road rules needed to safely ride pushbikes. When my son was in grade 5 (aged 10) each class was taken to this marvellous centre for the last 6 weeks of the school year. They were tested on their knowledge and also their cycling ability, in the hope of turning into responsible bike riders. The police were heavily involved in this course, thus instilling a positive attitude towards authority while having a very enjoyable and worthwhile learning experience.
I do not have a clue how cyclist licensing could ever be enforced to be honest, but if all kids could at least go through something similar to the traffic training which was given here at such a young yet able age, things MIGHT be a lot safer. Good question!!!

by Jules

Jules that training sounds like a wonderful scheme. Doing it at the age of ten is going to help the children become more aware drivers in the future. My parents would not let us ride our bikes on the road where there was traffic until we were 12.

No. I think we live in an over regulated society. I have been to India where a huge proportion of drivers are only licensed because they paid a corrupt official. Traffic is chaotic with people disobeying rules all over the place. It teaches a person to remain alert, and not to expect certain behaviour from another road user. Drivers don't get angry but somehow it works.
If cyclists have to get a license how long before pedestrians have to get one because they also use roads. I think cycle safety courses could be made available and everyone encouraged to do one. It is often the drivers of cars being unaware of cyclists that cause the accidents.

by annfi

This Traffic Training Centre for the kids is also a great deal of FUN!!! I think that if common sense, awareness of and respect for others using the roads, plus general learning of the proper rules can be done in such an enjoyable environment, it is a no-brainer that kids will be far better cyclists! They also will remember all they have been taught for when they are getting their Driver's licences at an older age!! I know that my own son and his peers had far more confidence on the roads, thanks in great part to this traffic training at such a young age when they did get their licences to drive a car at 17.They are very safe drivers, and this is a joy to see when I consider some of the youngsters out there who drive as though their licence came out of a Corn Flakes packet!!!! Again, though, I do not believe that a cycling licence is the answer to the problem, so much as early learning programs!

Yes. Everyone else who uses the roads has to, why not cyclists? At the moment they can do pretty much whatever they want (and do!) and get away with it. There needs to be some accountability; cars cannot always be blamed as we are not always responsible for all accidents. Cars and motorbikes are not anonymous, cyclists should not be either.

by helya

many car drivers do not have a license and that does not sit them from driving

if they are on the road, then yes I think they should need a license. If they have the same rights and privledges of using the road they should have to obey the rules as well as pay for the upkeep.

by Belinda

Definitely

by morra

I'm not sure to tell you the truth! like drivers there are good ones and there are not so good ones!

by Diana Nairn