Safe Speed Forums

In the sub-forum 'Improving Road Safety' there is a thread
'road tests for cyclists' :

I frequently see the most appalling examples of 'Bad Cycling'. Mostly
the riders are lads in their late-teens, very often on bikes that are far too
small for them, without saddles and so on.

I always wonder how these have acquired those bikes, and sometimes I
think that the cyclist is making off on a machine he has only just stolen.

Bicycle-theft is prevelant here in London. Transport For London say
( http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/press-centre/ ... p?prID=546 )
that in London during the year 2004 more than 80,000 bikes were
stolen.

In some districts the crime is so common that bike-ownership is almost
impossible. If you have one bike is stolen then probably the
replacement will also be be stolen, and within a few weeks.

Bicycles should carry Licence-Plates that can be read two or three yards
away. And the same registration number should also be stamped onto
the bike-frame.

It would discourage the more blatant thieves and the riff-raff who buy
stolen machines.

A Police Officer or Community Support Officer with reason to be
suspicious of a cyclist (if the bike was being driven furiously, without
lights or saddle etc.) could then, if they were able to stop the rider,
check out the licence and registration details.

But of course all the proposed requirements for licensing of bicycles and their owners would be met in full by someone law-abiding like me, but not by the irresponsible people the legislation would be intended to deal with.

Same as cars and other vehicles.