Cyclists may need registration number plates and have to observe speed limits in a new shake-up of road laws, it is being reported. It could mean that cyclists could be subject to penalty points and fines for speeding or running red lights.
As part of a planned review, it is also being reported that mandatory insurance is being considered, which would mean any pedestrians seriously injured by reckless riders would have access to compensation.
At the moment, British cyclists share no legal obligation to adhere to the same speed limits as motorists. Motor vehicle speed limits were introduced in 1903 and set at 20mph. After this limit was routinely breached, the speed limit in towns was changed to 30mph in 1934. Since then there have been no amendments enacted to make cyclists also adhere to the same regulations.
