Should they?

[TWR]

Its getting to the stage that cyclists have as much rights as a motorist! Why? do they have the the right to go through red lights? do they pay for cycle lanes? although not fuel propelled some of them take up space, cut you up, ride on pavements, ride two abreast on very narrow country lanes.

[albaqwerty]

they should have insurance, reg plates and a certificate of road worthiness. If they use a road, they should pay for it.
If you reverse over a bike carelessly left at roadside, vehicle user is to blame, not the careless bike user. If they scratch your vehicle or knock you down 'cos they are on the pavement, they are innocent...why??Always thought the age limit for riding on pavements was 8 years anyway. not 36 or 21 or whatever age they purport to be.
sorry rant over

[ABerrant]

Cyclists have always enjoyed greater "rights" than motorists precisely because they need not be licenced / registered / insured to use the roads.

[hc4361]

Any one of you moaners who is able bodied can ride a bike, it is your choice.

[R1Geezer]

Look I ride a motorbike and drive a car, I also cycle and they pi55 me off every day with their antics, riding on pavements (there is no age limit by the way) etc etc, all this licencing/insurance yada yada yada is just not practical, the old bill don't even enforce the current law so what chance nicking students form timbuctoo with no lights, no insurance unregistered etc etc. I wish the old bill were like it was when I was a youth, no lights? you're walking sunshine, no riding on the pavement end of story they didn't usually nick you but you obeyed the rules, now look at it, it's bl00dy unusual to see someone riding on the road! Anyway each one represents another ton of steel that aint on the road, so rejoice that our roads aren't even more chocker!

[karenmac60]

A friend of mine had a cyclist crash into her parked car and go through the windscreen, and she was billed for the ambulance even though she was in her house at the time!!!!!

[TWR]

That is the object of my Q mdoo, If cyclists want recognition on the roads they should pay for the privilege Eg/cycle lanes, scrapping car door, hitting pedestrians, if they had Insurance they could pay for any damage they cause through their Insurance.

[TWR]

mdoo, today's Mirror, Cyclist involved in a Pensioners death by knocking her over! does that answer your sarcastic reply, I did not give you sarcasm only a direct point, If you read my re-read my reply I was not on about us paying enough.

[craft1948]

Pavement maintenance doesn't come out of your road tax......it comes from your council tax...

[baileybird]

I am sure I am going to cause some controvesy but I feel those scooter things that bomb up and down the paths/roads should also have insurance of some description. One hit a car of someone I know (which was parked legally and empty) and caused £2000 worth of damage. Who pays for that - not them!

I am not arguing that they are people's lifelines - just that users should be responsible for damage they cause.

They are a menace travelling on paths at god knows what speed - as are bikes.

Wheels are for roads, not for pathways. You dont drive up the M25 looking out for pedestrians and not should you walk up your local path worrying about bikes/mobility scooters ploughing into you.