The CTC – the 70,000 member organisation for cyclists in the UK and Ireland – reports that London Mayor Ken Livingstone announced on LBC Radio this week that he plans to compel all cyclists entering the capital to be registered to a particular bicycle, and for that bike to display a registration plate that can be monitored by cameras. He hopes to use the system to catch cyclists who cycle on the pavement and ride through red lights. [Not, as far as I can see, a huge problem, despite Nigel Havers' absurd opinion].
A CTC press release rightly criticizes the wheeze, describing it as "an ill thought through and completely unworkable idea that risks reversing the current growth in London cycling."
Only a few months ago, Ken was trumpeting: "Cycling is the fastest, cheapest, most healthy and environmentally friendly way to get around London, which is why we are investing almost £20m this year to improve cycle facilities in the capital. The number of cyclists on our roads has doubled since 2000 and we've already exceeded our cycling targets five years ahead of schedule... I will now be looking at setting tougher targets so we can continue to build on this success and encourage many more cyclists in London."
CTC Campaigns and Policy Manager, Roger Geffen, said: "A registration scheme would be an extremely costly and bureaucratic system that would undoubtedly put many people off cycling. A problem with errant cyclists undeniably exits, but pales in road safety terms when compared with dangerous drivers. A better way to tackle cyclists’ bad behaviour is through provision of good cycle training."
Luckily I don't cycle in London, but from this distance this looks like a hair-brained and very expensive scheme that will discourage all but the keenest cyclists, add to the growing burden of personal surveillance, and achieve very little. Well, really!
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