Call for cyclists to wear ID labels when riding on roads

Cyclists are facing a new push to wear identification numbers so they can be reported for breaking road rules.

The Tasmanian Motorcycle Council says cyclists over 18 should wear a number on their vest or helmet so they can be identified and reported for road offences.

“TMC has requested the Road Safety Advisory Council look into Identification of cyclists,” the Tasmanian Motorcycle Council wrote on Facebook on Monday.

The TMC has written to Tasmania’s Road Safety Advisory Council requesting the change.

“While the majority of cyclists obey the law there is an element within the cycling fraternity that continually do not,” Paul Bullock, TMC President told The Mercury.

“The Tasmanian Motorcycle Council would like to see cyclists be identifiable so that the cyclists who break the law can be identified and proceeded against.”

However, the Bicycle Network has pushed back on calls for bicycle registration.

“Bike rego has reared its tired head once again with calls coming from the Tasmanian Motorcycle Council for the road safety levy to be spent on registering cyclists,” the Bicycle Network posted on Facebook on Tuesday.

The Bicycle Network wrote an impassioned defence against bicycle registration on its website.

“Every now and then a media commentator or member of the public will make call for bike registration or licencing,” the Bicycle Network wrote.

“It is usually made in response to an incident involving a bike rider and is put forward as a magical solution that will forever put an end to crashes and conflict.

“But it is always poorly thought out, registration won’t stop crashes and registration doesn’t pay for roads. It would, however, stop people from riding bikes.”