A “Movement” To License And Insure Cyclists?

Last week my friend and writer for Press For Truth, Caleb wrote a great article that chronicled how the CBC Is Useless.

I couldn’t agree with his sentiment more! Headlines like Actor Russell Crowe stood up in Gander by Newfoundland friends on the CBC website, and Cyclist charged after reportedly running red light on the CBC Hamilton website, show exactly how irrelevant the crown corporation has become.

The second article that I used as an example about the cyclist, was just a couple of paragraphs about an event that takes place all to regularly. What I found disturbing was the comments.

“Registration, license and insurance for all !!! Start with e-bikes first !!!”

“Typical cyclist attitude. Blame everyone but yourself. WHAT NOW? I’ll tell you WHAT NOW - BIKE LICENSING IS COMING GET READY TO PAY!”

“It’s about time that these cyco-terrorist’s were charged for ignoring the law.There is also a strong need for licensing and insurance regulations for these people. Time for them to stop destroying property and injuring pedestrians with impunity.”

“There is a movement to license cyclists, (plates annually, registration, sticker renewals, liability insurance, safety mandates, ownerships, etc) and lobbying the government for the licensing of bicycles. Cyclists should have to be licensed and pay insurance. It is ridiculous that in today’s world people can access our dangerous roads with bicycles and interact with motor vehicles and not have any liability. Many (not all, obviously) cyclists (motorists also) are ignorant, arrogant and self-centred….yet they whine and cry when they are - heaven forbid - asked to pay their share for using publicly paid roads (for bike use, not cars - it would be a separate charge). The creation of bike lanes costs money! I would vote for the next party that enacts this - and it would be a cash generator for the province also (so expect it!). I can’t even begin to tell you the number of times I have witnessed cyclists run stop signs, red lights, use sidewalks, kick cars that are in the right of way, etc…..just arrogance on the cyclists part. Of course, cyclists will abhor this idea - but the writing is on the wall. Within 5 years I predict it will be mandated. I am writing the province already.”

As you can read, many of the CBC’s readers actually want to force licensing and insurance on to cyclists, to “protect” people on the road. and help generate revenue for the state.

It would create revenue, but would it protect people?

It is a proven fact that more laws do not create safety, look at the Autobahn. No speed limits and only half the amount of car crashes as what happens on American highways.

The real issue with cyclists is not more laws, rather it is infrastructure. The incident in the CBC article happened on the new Cannon Street bike lanes. A project that the city has poured millions of dollars into.

Did the CBC question the planning? Did they question the safety issues surrounding the bike lanes? Not once.

Proper city planning is what is required, not new laws or insurance!