Delivery bike riders running red lights and riding on pavements in Glasgow will be encouraged to learn the Highway Code – after concerns were raised any new laws to tackle the problem could dissuade others from cycling.
The local democracy reporting service previously highlighted how police have issued tickets to cyclists in the city centre area over concerns about jumping red lights and riding on the footpaths.
Questions over bringing in new licensing rules and an insurance requirement for delivery bikes in order to tackle the problem were raised by Labour councillor Patricia Ferguson.
She asked if discussions had taken place with government over the matter.
The council’s convenor for transport Angus Millar said it was uncertain how any new regulations would work however, and said the council couldn’t support licensing for all cyclists in case it would dissuade people from being on bikes.
SNP Councillor Millar said: “Local police operations, with council engagement, have had a particular focus on delivery riders.
“In my capacity as a local member for the city centre, I have also met with local police and representatives from delivery companies to impress upon them the importance of reinforcing the rules and responsibilities of the Highway Code among their riders.”
He added: “A licensing system or insurance requirement for delivery riders would likely require legislative change, likely at UK Government level. While I have discussed these issues with various parliamentarians, no formal discussions have taken place with either the UK or Scottish Government regarding this.”
Expressing doubt over how new laws would work, he said: “It should be noted that it is unclear how any such legislation or regulations could be targeted at a specific user group as opposed to all people on bikes, and it is not known how it would be enforced.
“The council would not support any general move to introduce licensing requirements for cycling as this would have a significant detrimental impact on our agreed active travel behaviour change efforts.”
Councillor Ferguson asked if discussions had taken place with government on the “possibility of introducing a licensing system and insurance requirement for those who ride delivery bikes.”
She raised the matter at this month’s full council meeting.
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