Article: Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce calls for bike licenses

[ozbob]

From the Herald Sun click here!

Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce calls for bike licenses

Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce calls for bike licenses

    * Mary Pakadakis
    * From: Sunday Herald Sun
    * April 03, 2010 9:21PM

A MAJOR business lobby group wants cyclists to be licensed and have their bikes registered before riding on the road.

The Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry is calling for a debate on the issue and is running an online poll on its blog site.

Spokesman Chris James said cyclists were increasingly riding on roads with motorists and should be treated in the same way with an appropriate licence, road rules education and a registered bike.

Should cyclists have to be licensed and bikes registered? Have your say below

"There's no reason why one category of road users should be more special than the other," he said.

Mr James said cyclists should pay a "nominal" registration fee, which would go towards maintaining and upgrading the roads they used alongside motorists.

"Cycling is good for health, it's good for the environment and it's good for traffic congestion," he said.

"But they are using public roads without any form of fee. It's become a mainstream mode of commuter traffic and because of that, it's an issue that demands some attention."

Mr James said while motorists could easily be reported for traffic offences by their registration plates, cyclists were often able to escape without being identified.

But Bicycle Victoria CEO Harry Barber said most cyclists already had car licences and a call for registration was inappropriate.

"The idea of a plate on every bike when people have dozens of bikes and kids' bikes - it would be a nightmare," he said.

Mr Barber said most Melburnians who commuted to work by bike on roads were doing the right thing.

He said Bicycle Victoria supported better education for cyclists.

"They've got to learn the rules, they've got to learn the etiquette," he said.

"We know that there are Grand Prix drivers and others who behave like idiots behind the wheel and we know that there are some people who behave irresponsibly on their bikes."

Roads Minister Tim Pallas said he did not support the idea of registering bikes.

"There's not one country in the world that has in place a licensing or registration system for bikes," he said.

"We're about encouraging people to look at cycling as a viable transport option."

[#Metro]

Look out! Walking on the public footpath you will have a GPS and pedometer charging you to walk on the street.
I think there will be mass outrage if bicylces have to get a plate and pay fees and all that.

Keep it fun, keep it free.