Bikes & Cycles should have number plates to stop cyclists being a danger in Londons Met chief says

A former Metropolitan Police chief has proposed requiring bicycles to have number plates in an effort to address the issue of reckless cycling in London. Lord Hogan-Howe made the suggestion during a debate in the House of Lords on the regulation of pedicabs, a form of bicycle-powered taxi. The new bill, introduced by Cities of London and Westminster MP Nickie Aiken, will bring pedicabs under the same regulatory framework as other forms of public transport.

Lord Hogan-Howe argued that if pedicab drivers and owners can be held accountable for their actions, then so too should cyclists. He expressed concern that cyclists in London, in particular, seem to be operating with impunity. He suggested that even a simple registration plate would go a long way in ensuring that cyclists are held responsible for their behavior and that they face consequences for disregarding traffic rules. He highlighted the severity of injuries and fatalities caused by reckless cycling incidents.

The Pedicabs (London) Bill, according to new transport minister Lord Davies of Gower, will address the "long-standing anomaly" of pedicabs being the sole unregulated form of transport operating on London's streets. The bill aims to tackle issues such as extortionate fares, late-night noise pollution, traffic congestion, obstruction of pavements and cycle lanes, and safety concerns arising from unchecked vehicles and unvetted drivers.

However, former Conservative minister Lord Blencathra dismissed the bill as an "insignificant measure" compared to the threat posed by e-scooters, citing 25 deaths and 100 serious injuries over the past four years. He called for a ban on all e-scooters from public highways in England, including pavements, and granting police powers to immediately confiscate any found in use on public roads.