Bike license?
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Bike license?
Hi all, I'm just wondering about your opinion on a training course or lisense for cyclists?
I'm writing this while I'm on a cycle tour and I cycled through Bordeaux the other day, my first taste at city cycling
I'll confess I can find it a little confusing when there are bikes, cars and trams are all going through the same junction!
And to make it worse you have to share some bike lanes with busses!
UPDATE:
I'll clarify what I mean 😂😂
I don't think that licenses should be required but available for cyclists to obtain so that there is a clear rule book for cyclists and car drivers to follow.
An example of this would be who takes priority when a cycle way joins a road? Car driver or cyclists? Personally I'd say the car driver takes priority but some people disagree. This is why I think there should be more clear rules around this area...I think a lisense is one way of making this clear as the cyclists would 'gain' something from it
Does anyone think that a lisense as it were would be a good idea so that there is a common way of thinking and doing thinks between cyclists and non cyclists to make things easier, safer and more understandable?
I'm writing this while I'm on a cycle tour and I cycled through Bordeaux the other day, my first taste at city cycling
I'll confess I can find it a little confusing when there are bikes, cars and trams are all going through the same junction!
And to make it worse you have to share some bike lanes with busses!
UPDATE:
I'll clarify what I mean 😂😂
I don't think that licenses should be required but available for cyclists to obtain so that there is a clear rule book for cyclists and car drivers to follow.
An example of this would be who takes priority when a cycle way joins a road? Car driver or cyclists? Personally I'd say the car driver takes priority but some people disagree. This is why I think there should be more clear rules around this area...I think a lisense is one way of making this clear as the cyclists would 'gain' something from it
Does anyone think that a lisense as it were would be a good idea so that there is a common way of thinking and doing thinks between cyclists and non cyclists to make things easier, safer and more understandable?
Last edited by sherrattsp; 07-15-18 at 02:21 AM.
#2
☢
Absolutely not, under normal circumstance. I say this because there are special instances where a operator certificate or pass might be necessary such as bring your bike into specially congested pedestrian locations or restricted/limited ride areas.
That certificate would indicate that you've been instructed with a set of standards for operating your bike safely while in that area. On public roads however, bikes are the least threat (cyclist vs motor vehicles), so its totally unnecessary for a cyclist to be licensed.
That certificate would indicate that you've been instructed with a set of standards for operating your bike safely while in that area. On public roads however, bikes are the least threat (cyclist vs motor vehicles), so its totally unnecessary for a cyclist to be licensed.
#3
Senior Member
In those situations you are no different than any other vehicle. Take your lane and flow with traffic.
Licenses for for cars don't seem to make them behave the same.
Licenses for for cars don't seem to make them behave the same.
#4
Senior Member
Here is this thread:
https://www.bikeforums.net/advocacy-...s-e-bikes.html
It does wander a little bit.
Keep in mind that cycling covers many different people with different skills and needs. A good number of adult cyclists have driver's licenses, but not all of them, or some have had their licenses revoked.
I would support more training, perhaps even bicycle specific court mandated training for various offenses, rather than hefty fines.
However, also keep in mind that cycling can be extremely situational with different skills needed at different times. There are some valid variations such as using a left turn lane, vs a square turn, going straight through the right side of an intersection, turning the bike, then proceeding across the intersection on the next green.
There is also debate such as lane positioning with no simple universal answer.
https://www.bikeforums.net/advocacy-...s-e-bikes.html
It does wander a little bit.
Keep in mind that cycling covers many different people with different skills and needs. A good number of adult cyclists have driver's licenses, but not all of them, or some have had their licenses revoked.
I would support more training, perhaps even bicycle specific court mandated training for various offenses, rather than hefty fines.
However, also keep in mind that cycling can be extremely situational with different skills needed at different times. There are some valid variations such as using a left turn lane, vs a square turn, going straight through the right side of an intersection, turning the bike, then proceeding across the intersection on the next green.
There is also debate such as lane positioning with no simple universal answer.
#5
Senior Member
Bike riding licences are a solution in search of a problem. Driving licences were introduced as a result of rising death rates from poor driving and a lack of awareness of how to drive in traffic (inc. pedestrians, cyclists, horses and horse-drawn vehicles. Deaths of other road users as a result of poor riding are few and far between and it would
a) be an expensive solution to a near non-existent risk
and
b) be almost impossible to enforce, given the difficulty of identifying individual law breakers
a) be an expensive solution to a near non-existent risk
and
b) be almost impossible to enforce, given the difficulty of identifying individual law breakers
#6
Non omnino gravis
Bike licensing, you say? Well, most everybody here in Sunny California has a DMV issued Driver's License, and a measurable percentage of the people here in Sunny California can't drive worth a damn.
My wife had her car totaled out from under her, rear-ended on the freeway by an 18-year-old with two at-fault accidents already on her record. A buddy of mine, same thing, only his was to a 20-year-old with no insurance and a suspended license.
Enforcing licensing for bicycle riders would be impossible, and ultimately pointless. You either know how to ride safely or you don't. A Driver's License doesn't make a person a good driver.
Besides, you let them license us, next thing you know, mandatory cycling insurance.
My wife had her car totaled out from under her, rear-ended on the freeway by an 18-year-old with two at-fault accidents already on her record. A buddy of mine, same thing, only his was to a 20-year-old with no insurance and a suspended license.
Enforcing licensing for bicycle riders would be impossible, and ultimately pointless. You either know how to ride safely or you don't. A Driver's License doesn't make a person a good driver.
Besides, you let them license us, next thing you know, mandatory cycling insurance.
#7
Full Member
Here is this thread:
https://www.bikeforums.net/advocacy-...s-e-bikes.html
It does wander a little bit.
Keep in mind that cycling covers many different people with different skills and needs. A good number of adult cyclists have driver's licenses, but not all of them, or some have had their licenses revoked.
I would support more training, perhaps even bicycle specific court mandated training for various offenses, rather than hefty fines.
However, also keep in mind that cycling can be extremely situational with different skills needed at different times. There are some valid variations such as using a left turn lane, vs a square turn, going straight through the right side of an intersection, turning the bike, then proceeding across the intersection on the next green.
There is also debate such as lane positioning with no simple universal answer.
https://www.bikeforums.net/advocacy-...s-e-bikes.html
It does wander a little bit.
Keep in mind that cycling covers many different people with different skills and needs. A good number of adult cyclists have driver's licenses, but not all of them, or some have had their licenses revoked.
I would support more training, perhaps even bicycle specific court mandated training for various offenses, rather than hefty fines.
However, also keep in mind that cycling can be extremely situational with different skills needed at different times. There are some valid variations such as using a left turn lane, vs a square turn, going straight through the right side of an intersection, turning the bike, then proceeding across the intersection on the next green.
There is also debate such as lane positioning with no simple universal answer.
I agree with the additional training. Some can be done online from the comfort of the living room. It's a safe bet that the OP did a great deal of research to be sure to have selected a successful vacation. Being a bike trip, included in the research could have been safe bicycling techniques. I have found however that most people don't even know this training is available either online or in a class . And some do not think they need it until they are caught in a situation they do not know how to handle resulting in a negative feeling about cycling. If there was greater awareness of the training tools, I think it would benefit the entire cycling community by growing the number of cyclists and making their experience positive.
#8
Senior Member
You know, I think the o.p. is onto something. Licensing requirements will mean testing and/or instruction. I'm well qualified to provide either. Bring it. But, and I'm just saying a DMNV (Dept. of Non-Motorized Vehicles) will need to expand the definition to stay ahead of costs. I suggest we require pedestrian training and licensing. Anyone out in public will need to be licensed. I can't see a downside.
#10
Senior Member
Who will be required to get a license?
That 3 year old with training wheels on their bike pushing it out onto the public streets (flat and easy riding)?
7 year old bike commuting to the neighborhood school?
The family that just dumped the kids off in the park?
Just the cyclists that managed to survive till adulthood?
Maybe license the "serious cyclists".... but ignore any that aren't serious.
License the roadies?
That 3 year old with training wheels on their bike pushing it out onto the public streets (flat and easy riding)?
7 year old bike commuting to the neighborhood school?
The family that just dumped the kids off in the park?
Just the cyclists that managed to survive till adulthood?
Maybe license the "serious cyclists".... but ignore any that aren't serious.
License the roadies?
#11
Senior Member
Definitely the roadies ...
#12
• —
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Land of Pleasant Living
Posts: 12,342
Bikes: Shmikes
Liked 5,971 Times
in
3,219 Posts
Noooo!
#13
Senior Member
Yaaasss!
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Liked 3,110 Times
in
1,418 Posts
I have a license. It says I'm a Cat 3 on the road, Cat 5 on the track.
#15
So, did you want to be barred from biking in Bordeaux until you got a French bicycle license? It isn't like your US cycling prepared you for France, so why would a US license have helped?
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 379
Bikes: SR, Bianchi, Raleigh, Bertin, Kona, Schwinn, Eisentraut, Zunow, Columbine, Naked, Nishiki, Phillips, Specialized, Giant
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
You know, I think the o.p. is onto something. Licensing requirements will mean testing and/or instruction. I'm well qualified to provide either. Bring it. But, and I'm just saying a DMNV (Dept. of Non-Motorized Vehicles) will need to expand the definition to stay ahead of costs. I suggest we require pedestrian training and licensing. Anyone out in public will need to be licensed. I can't see a downside.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Metro Detroit/AA
Posts: 8,207
Bikes: 2016 Novara Mazama
Liked 81 Times
in
51 Posts
Enjoy your vacation, just remember to attack the tram tracks perpendicular, don't try to take a shallow line across them. Also remember wet cobblestone is slick
#19
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm leaving for a cycle tour of France tonite. A&S debating cycling licenses will be figuratively the last place I'll be while I'm over there.
Enjoy your vacation, just remember to attack the tram tracks perpendicular, don't try to take a shallow line across them. Also remember wet cobblestone is slick
Enjoy your vacation, just remember to attack the tram tracks perpendicular, don't try to take a shallow line across them. Also remember wet cobblestone is slick
Hope you enjoy your trip!
#20
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I suppose I might just be getting used to things as we drive on the left in the UK
I only thought that a common way of thinking could be of benefit
#21
How would a UK bicycle license, that trains you to ride on UK roads, help you understand French or Japanese roads?
#22
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
You'd still need a car lisense to drive on European roads, road signs in Europe are pretty much the same over the continent it's more to do with joining and leaving cycle ways with regards to road traffic. If car drivers and bike riders followed the same rule book, it's a bit of a grey area atm, the I think it would be much safer
#23
You'd still need a car lisense to drive on European roads, road signs in Europe are pretty much the same over the continent it's more to do with joining and leaving cycle ways with regards to road traffic. If car drivers and bike riders followed the same rule book, it's a bit of a grey area atm, the I think it would be much safer
#24
Senior Member
There's already a history of bicycle licence studies all over major North American cities.
So I wouldn't mind bicycle licenses provided all of the following are offered:
1) Optional;
2) paid by motorists during drivers licence and plate renewals;
3) no fault- all fault automatically attributed to the nearest motorist(s);
4) municipal, provincial and federal tax breaks;
5) perks offered by merchants and hotels on top of other promotions and membership prices you already are entitled.
6) Mandatory road test every two years for motorists;
7) install separated bike lanes wherever motor vehicles are legally allowed to drive;
8) bike racks at all public and commercial places.
We already know that bike licensing are a waste of taxpayers money. So if you don't like any of these conditions, don't ask for bicycle licensing.
So I wouldn't mind bicycle licenses provided all of the following are offered:
1) Optional;
2) paid by motorists during drivers licence and plate renewals;
3) no fault- all fault automatically attributed to the nearest motorist(s);
4) municipal, provincial and federal tax breaks;
5) perks offered by merchants and hotels on top of other promotions and membership prices you already are entitled.
6) Mandatory road test every two years for motorists;
7) install separated bike lanes wherever motor vehicles are legally allowed to drive;
8) bike racks at all public and commercial places.
We already know that bike licensing are a waste of taxpayers money. So if you don't like any of these conditions, don't ask for bicycle licensing.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280
Bikes: Nashbar Road
Liked 341 Times
in
228 Posts
Please no bike licenses nor bike registrations. We accept even drivers licenses mainly because it's always been that way (for most of us) so we never think of "why" or why not. The only benefit - for the owner of a drivers license - is that we use it for identification. And people have to practice driving at least a little bit before taking a drivers exam. Neither of those benefits have a practical application to bikes.
The usual underlying reason for proposing bike regulation like this (and in large part a big initial reason for requiring a DL in the USA) is revenue generation, and that never actually works with bikes.
The usual underlying reason for proposing bike regulation like this (and in large part a big initial reason for requiring a DL in the USA) is revenue generation, and that never actually works with bikes.