A petition has been launched on change.org looking for cyclists to require insurance for using roads in the U.K.

The petition was established by Owen McDermott and at the time of writing, had reached 2,708 signatures.

Although the title of the petition is “Cyclists to hold insurance to use public UK roads”, Mr. McDermott appears to go off topic somewhat requesting that cyclists should also have to sit a theory and practical test to obtain a driving licence, that they should have to stick to cycle paths and also points out that cyclists don’t pay “road tax.”

Mr McDermott is aiming to deliver the petition to Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May MP and Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party David Cameron MP

His petition has received a mixed response based on the comments below his statement.

Luke Thorley pointed out that road tax doesn’t exist saying: “Public liability insurance for sure , but there is no such thing as road tax …. I think you are referring to vehicle tax which based on emissions, there for what emissions are cyclists giving off apart from odd farts”

Martin Golder also mentioned the reference to road tax saying: “I am signing because I want to see this fail miserably. The creator of this petition has no clue about how the system works at all.”

“Road Tax does not exist! Nobody pays Road Tax. You pay an amount based on the emissions of your vehicle, so, go ahead and push you hilarious petition, as if it ‘succeeded’, cyclists would still be allowed to ride on the roads and also have to pay £0 in imaginary ‘road tax’. Bravo.”

Simon Clarke responded to the petition saying: “This is ridiculous to even think about taxing this ! Taxing ppl for getting out and about, getting fit and just generally enjoying the fresh air ! Are you going to charge for fresh air next !?? sort it out n start cutting mp wages !!!”

There were also some comments in favour of the petition such as Sarah Gosling who said: “I’ve had to pay for damage to my cars caused by cyclists. Bicycles on the road should have number plates visible clearly from behind,” and Sefer Dokulup who said: “İm signing this petition because i believe a cyclist neess to pay İNSURANCE AND ROAD TAX like everybody else and deffinitly need to take theory and practical exams because its bıt FAİR”

The statement from Mr McDermott explaining his petition are shown below:


The public roads built for motor vehicles are becoming unsafe to use due to one particular community that feel they are eligible to drive on public UK roads.

Not only that these cyclists posses no insurance for their chosen 2 wheeled non mechanical death trap, neither do they pay road tax.

A recent video created by the West Midlands police has lead me to creating this petition:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10154485779939035&id=82710639034

Just like having to sit your theory and your practical test to obtain a driving license, Cyclists should have to do the same. What training have they had to use the road safely?

Insurance, if a cyclist throws him/herself into the back of a stationary motor vehicle… Who’s to blame? Not the cyclist… The driver of the motor vehicle would have to pay their own excess to repair the damages.

Tax, Cyclists pay £0 in road tax which I understand they are emission free but in which case they aren’t paying any money to use the public roads.

Im not sure on the percentage of how many cyclists die every year due to cycling on the road but if you stick them back on the paths in a cycle lane I’m sure a lot more people will survive.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Owen. (M9)

51 COMMENTS

  1. Like the “public roads are built for motor vehicles” quote, little do they realise the first paved roads were built to make it safer for pedal cycles to navigate horse and cart tracks.

  2. A bit of a plonker, as cyclists we should have a petition for better roads and more severe punishments for drivers killing or seriously injuring cyclists as so many get away scot free.

  3. Funny thing is that they don’t realise that in the UK is like here in Australia. You have insurance and a fully covered with particular cycling orgs, such as Cycling Australia here, with a Recreational or Race licence option.

  4. Ok, so pedestrian insurance is next? The funny thing is that he claims to be inspired by a video of the police ticketing people who were driving cars in a dangerous and illegal manner.

  5. So what about those of us that hold driving licenses (all categories too) have we not taken tests? I also have insurance and pay my council tax that pays for road repairs. Still not a bad idea I’ll get my 6 year old down the test centre in the morning!

    • it will not get far or should I say that petition has got a long way to go?

      Get the facts right you pro cyclists note that some responsible cyclists already have insurance which is a credit to them. The taxation is incorrect in my opinion but insurance yes. Not all cyclists recognize cycling is dangerous but is it more or less
      dangerous than golfing which has liability insurance cover by the fact that a club or a ball which flies through the air and hits someone can cause much grief…….
      Not long agoa cyclist ran into an old ladies wheel chair and while it would have been appropriate (in my day) to give him a good hiding it’s not aloud now,but it would have made him aware he should take more care on a shared footpath……….

  6. If the cyclist is at fault he is still liable, they just have to pay from their own pocket. Just make sure you hold them at the scene. I doubt they will cause as much damage as hitting a car. There are cycle insurances, I would advise anyone that cycles in the city to get it. (Or any mountain biker)

    • I honestly think anyone who uses the roads should be licensed, registered and insured. I cycle, ride and drive regularly and have seen appalling behaviour from all types of road users, but many cyclists know they can get away with a lot because they are untraceable. I’m not tarring all cyclists with the same brush, but we’ve all seen a cyclist sail through a red light, cause vehicles to take evasive action, hit pedestrians and just keep going.

  7. I particularly like the part that states ‘cyclist throw themselves into stationary cars’ and ‘death trap’ bikes. It’s funny that he’s that wound up and serious about it.

  8. Horse insurance. Pedestrian insurance. Pram insurance. Roller blade insurance. School kids insurance. Dog walkers insurance.
    Blah blah blah.
    What utter BS.

  9. Dear Mr McDermott your petition has a major flaw….. if you would like to get us cyclist off the road why not put your time and effort into creating a nation wide cycle network so we have the cycle paths that you wish us to be on. Oh wait you can’t there just isn’t enough room!!!! Never mind.

  10. Do we really want the UK to become like America where you need insurance before you fart. Yes there are a lot of prats that ride bikes but generally they are not the cycling community and will be idiots whatever.

  11. The West Midlands Police Traffic Unit advises –
    “DRIVERS DO NOT LET YOUR PREJUDICE GET IN THE WAY OF THE TRUE FACTS”
    Owen McDermott’s statement is full of inaccuracies and falsehoods but it does represent the received wisdom of a large section of the public. All national cycling organisations and pressure groups should hasten to rebuff this dangerous propaganda. It should be kept simple but here are the true facts in detail:

    1) “The public roads built for motor vehicles are becoming unsafe to use due to one particular community that feel they are eligible to drive on public UK roads”
    TRUTH –
    The public roads were built for cyclists!
    They were the result of campaigning by the cycling organisations for metalled surfaces long before the existence of the motor car.
    In law cycles are classified as vehicles and have every right to use the public highway.
    Cyclists are the vulnerable users of the road not cars.

    2). “Not only that these cyclists posses no insurance for their chosen 2 wheeled non mechanical death trap, neither do they pay road tax”
    TRUTH –
    Although there is no compulsion to be
    insured the vast majority of cyclists are, either through their membership of a cycling organisation or through separate cover.
    The road tax was abolished in 1937 and replaced by Vehicle Excise Duty. This is a tax on cars, not roads, and it goes straight into the general Treasury fund. The upkeep of the roads is paid from rates and general taxation. (Cycles don’t wear out roads). It is unlawful for a Driver to be uninsured although it is estimated that 37,000 cars on the road are uninsured.

    3) “Just like having to sit your theory and your practical test to obtain a driving license, Cyclists should havemf to do the same. What training have they had to use the road?”.
    TRUTH –
    80% of cyclists hold a driving licence!!!
    Drivers have to be tested because they are in charge of a potentially lethal weapon. West Midland Police say that 98% of cyclists killed or seriously injured on the involved at least one other vehicle. In 84% these cases most common vehicle to be involved was a car.

    4). “Im not sure on the percentage of how many cyclists die every year due to cycling on the road but if you stick them back on the paths in a cycle lane I’m sure a lot more people will survive”.
    TRUTH –
    In 2015, 100 cyclists were killed on the roads and 3,239 seriously injured. Which is why we are campaigning for safe segregated cycling infrastructure. Cycle paths are few and far between and were do exist they are badly designed and poorly maintained.
    CONCLUSION
    The whole assumption in McDermott’s Statement is that Cyclists are responsible for the Collisions on the road. Maybe we get in his way so get run over! My retort to that is ” Do you want all the road or just the bit I’m cycling on “

    • The public roads were built for cyclists!.. wrong they where built for horses and carts long before bikes.
      80% of cyclists hold a driving licence… proof ?.

      Cycles don’t wear out roads.. sorry your tyres dont touch the road ?
      most bikes are NOT checked for safety .
      if i have to be insured to use the road. why are you not ?.
      if my car has to be checked its safe for the road why isnt your bike.
      if my car has to be registered to be on the road why isnt your bike .. if i hit you you can take my reg… if you hit me you just ride off with no way for me to find out who you are ..

      im all for sharing the road but hey lets make this fare .
      and before you moan i cycle

  12. They won’t do it! The simple fact is the government is actually trying to reduce the number of motorists on the roads to ease congestion and meet permissable pollution levels. By introducing this insurance and tax crap it would put off a lot of people from ever taking to two wheels, which could also have a negative economic impact as people would be less willing to travel to work, and as a result this stupid idea completely flies in the face of the governments efforts and investments to ensure people were reducing their car usage and cycling more instead.

  13. Oh this hoarey old chestnut. So, in the national context I know, Australia, the courts here, in the nation’s entire history, have found only 1 cyclist guilty of killing another human (a pedestrian) in collision on a public road. (2008) on the other hand, Australian drivers kill as many as that daily, pedestrians, cyclists, their passengers, other motor vehicle occupants and themselves.

    That’s what compulsory road trauma liability insurance is for. I doubt the comparative figures are much different in the UK.

    Punch idiots who support this nonsense in the face.

Leave a Reply to Steve Jay Cancel reply

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here