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POLL: Should Cyclists be forced to have a bicycle license and take out insurance?
Monday, June 8, 2015 @ 3:04 PM

Spain’s DGT traffic authority is considering plans that would see cyclists obliged to register their bicycles, get a rider's license and take out insurance.

The DGT has been sounding out cycling associations in recent weeks to get a sense of what pro-bicycle groups think of this hypothetical measure.

But the notion has run up against serious opposition from these organisations, which are describing it as “unheard of in Europe.”

Recently the traffic authority held a meeting with cycling groups to discuss the issue, and a top official admitted that registration, licensing and insurance measures were under consideration.

“Not only was the survey biased and lacking any scientific rigor, but the meeting sought to defend obligations and taxes for cyclists that are unheard of elsewhere in Europe,” said Manuel Martín of Conbici, a cycling advocacy group.

A joint press release by Conbici and the Association of Professional Cyclists said that “we find it very strange that the DGT, toward the end of its term, continues to propose measures that have already been rejected by Congress. They could have included them in the Traffic Law reform that was recently approved.”

At the meeting, DGT official Mónica Colás expressed concern over Spain’s bicycle-related accident rate. In 2013, bike users were involved in 5,835 accidents (seven percent of the total). The death toll among bikers was 69, of whom 45 were hit on intercity roads where safety helmets are mandatory.

What do you think?

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8 Comments

amogles said:
Thursday, June 11, 2015 @ 2:07 PM

How would this law affect visitors? Eco tourism is a big buzzword these days and many eco-tourism packages involve bicycle hire. Would such a law force tourists planning to do a rural cycle trail be forced to buy the same insurance as resident cyclists? Would this kill off a fledgling industry?

paul birkett said:
Saturday, June 13, 2015 @ 8:34 AM

Dare they try and discriminate between residents and tourists they will be sued quicker than they know it!

J. Bingley said:
Saturday, June 13, 2015 @ 11:00 AM

ALL OTHER ROAD USERS PAY SO WHY NOT CYCLIST

beebeetay said:
Saturday, June 13, 2015 @ 12:24 PM

Many tourists hire bikes, some for just a few hours with some cities even providing free bike hire for a couple of hours.We have taken up this offer and found it a great way of seeing the city centre as well as keeping fit.

Then off course you have tourists that take their bikes with them from their country of origin for cycling holidays and a lot of people gain from the business and income that this creates so I think that it is a ridiculous idea and that the Spanish government is just trying any idea to make money.

Road tax in the UK is an emissions tax and bicycles do not give off emissions so if they are thinking of taxing anyone that uses a road then they would also have to tax pedestrians.

Cycling is a great way to keep fit and the lycra industry is dependant upon this sport/hobby.

Bee

alan said:
Saturday, June 13, 2015 @ 3:28 PM

I do not know about insurance for cyclists buy they should be prosecuted and heavily fined when they cycle on a main road at the side of a cycle lane.

Rob said:
Saturday, June 13, 2015 @ 8:12 PM

Saying everything else on the roads pays taxes and then using that as justification seems a little simplistic.

Look at the UK. You can buy cars here that pay zero road tax. So what is the correlation? None.

I think this is purely a money making tax grab from a broke government, trying desperately to shore up its finances. This should be treated with the respect it deserves; none.

Go further; the resident v tourist discussion is a furphy. Why? Because resident and tourist car drivers already play in the space, and the discussion here is simple. Any tourist is to play by the local rules. There is no discrimination either way.

No. For me, the argument boils down to an even simpler one. What would the proposal be for children? Will children now be required to get a bicycle license? And if my 6 year old did something wrong, what would the penalty be? Pay 10 years allowance or go to jail???

Or maybe they'll think to force parents to pay for the mistakes of their children?

Honestly, its getting silly. When I was a child, we had none of this to worry about, yet in these "modern" times, broke governments are intruding on the lives of normal folks more and more.

I find it appalling, to be honest.

Charlietwice said:
Saturday, April 23, 2016 @ 1:15 PM

I pay car tax already so to charge me to ride my bike as well? When it's good for the environment? The anti cyclist bunch are an intolerant bunch.

John Bingley said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 5:01 PM

I have held licences for CARS, HGV's, PSV since 1955 aand have never had an accident. Cyclist have had fortunes spent on them with more and more cycle lanes but NOT ONE has ever taken a test on roadcraft nor do the observe the Highway Code. They are a menace on the road cycling with complete disregard for their surroundings, ignoring road signs and traffic lights and most have their hearing switched off by using their IPods and mobile phones to listen to music at very high volumes to drown out the traffic noises. YES, they should be licenced as road users and carry at least third party insurance in case of accidents. Most of the recent spate of accidents occur with large vehicles turning left involving them crossing Bus and Cycle lanes even though they indicate their intentions to turn and the cyclist completely oblivious of their surroundings. Ban the use of Ipods and Mobile phones whilst cycling, which is law for the motorist and should also apply to cyclist. Why should the motorist bear all the costs for the cycle lanes. If you use the roads, you should pay.