'No plans' to introduce registration plates for cyclists, says Grant Shapps

19 August 2022, 08:43

Shapps says cyclists won't need registration plates

By Daisy Stephens

There are 'no plans' to introduce registration plates for cyclists, Grant Shapps has told LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

It was reported on Wednesday that the government was considering plans to introduce number plates for bikes after Mr Shapps told the Daily Mail he wanted to crack down on cyclists breaking rules.

He told the paper that "obviously does then lead you into the question of: Well, how are you going to recognise the cyclist? Do you need registration plates and insurance?".

Read more: Unions threaten to strike for 'as long as it takes' as millions face more travel chaos in London

Read more: Apple reveals serious security issue with iPhones, iPads and Macs that could give hackers complete control

But in November 2018 the transport department said there were no plans to introduce any kind of registration regime for cyclists, something Nick put to Mr Shapps on Friday.

"Which is it, secretary of state?" He asked.

"No no no, no plans to introduce registration plates," Mr Shapps said.

"The wider point that I was making, though, is that it's got to be right to ensure that everybody who uses our roads does so responsibly."

Shapps quizzed over P&O Ferries with his own words put to him.

He said he was trying to address the difficulties in holding cyclists to account when they break the rules.

"What I was actually talking about at the time was cyclists who perhaps bust through red lights, we see that an awful lot," he said.

"There is no way to prosecute a [cyclist] who might run into somebody else, and sometimes you get these very sad cases of death by dangerous cycling, and we are proposing to bring in death by dangerous cycling as a specific offence, along with other changes to car drivers and for other users of the road as well.

Read more: New image of man released by police after girl, 6, abducted and taken to woodland in Droylsden

Read more: Sewage scandal: pollution plaguing Britain’s beaches and beauty spots as water firms told 'clean up your act'

"So this is not a plan which is - as I think has been suggested - somehow going after cyclists."

He went on to say the UK is "not going to have registration plates and the like" but admitted the question asked would be "if you're going to stop people going through red lights how do you know who it was?".

"The law itself is not sufficient at the moment so you end up with relying on horse and coach legislation to prosecute cyclists," he said.

"That, of course, makes no sense."

More Nick Ferrari

See more More Nick Ferrari

Exclusive
‘The storm of war is gathering’: Defence cuts leave UK critically unprepared for a 'bumpy decade', warns ex-minister

‘The storm of war is gathering’: Defence cuts leave UK 'woefully unprepared' for a 'bumpy decade', warns ex-minister

Education Secretary Bridget Philipson 'hasn't changed her mind' and will vote against assisted dying bill

Education Secretary Bridget Philipson 'hasn't changed her mind' and will vote against assisted dying bill

Nick Ferrari takes to the streets of the US to ask Americans: 'Can you identify these British politicians?'

Nick Ferrari takes to the streets of the US to ask Americans: 'Can you identify these British politicians?'

Why did Trump win and why did Harris lose? Nick Ferrari asks American voters

Why did Trump win and Harris lose? Nick Ferrari asks American voters in the wake of US election results

Nick Ferrari attends his first Trump rally in Pennsylvania as he meets the crowd in 'the poorest city in the United States'

Nick Ferrari attends his first Trump rally in Pennsylvania as he meets the crowd in 'the poorest city in the US'

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said she strongly disagrees with a tweet that a backbench MP appeared to have reposted saying Kemi Badenoch represents "white supremacy in blackface".

Cooper condemns 'appalling' tweet shared by Dawn Butler labelling Kemi Badenoch 'white supremacy in blackface'

Exclusive
Cumberland County: Where the US election could be won or lost

Nick Ferrari travels to America for the US Election: Watch the best bits here

Exclusive
The Chancellor was speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast

Chancellor ‘doesn’t know’ salary of new chairman tasked with ensuring government ‘value for money'

Transparency over Southport stabbings key to avoiding 'deep public mistrust in the criminal justice system', says Jenrick

Transparency over Southport stabbings key to avoiding 'deep public mistrust' in criminal justice system, says Jenrick

Exclusive
The government has introduced its football governance bill.

'We're on the same side': Minister denies feud with Premier League over Football Governance Bill

Exclusive
Protest sign reading Danger water pollution, this water is polluted with raw sewage. The responsible party is Thames Water. River Wey, Guildford, UK

Government warns demand for water could outstrip supply as they launch review into 'broken' sector

Nick Ferrari.

'He'll look over his shoulder for the rest of his life': Concern for Martyn Blake's privacy long overdue

Exclusive
'No one gutsy enough to address this': Mylene Klass calls on government to introduce paid miscarriage leave.

Government not 'gutsy' enough to implement paid miscarriage leave claims Myleene Klass

Exclusive
David Cameron speaks to LBC

David Cameron calls for UK to sanction two Israeli ministers as change on arms embargo 'didn't satisfy anybody'

'I wouldn't do it again': Jenrick suggests regret for painting over murals at children’s asylum centre.

'I wouldn't do it again': Robert Jenrick says he regrets ordering workers to paint over murals at children’s asylum centre

Exclusive
Where did all the fish go? Feargal Sharkey uncovers dangerous blue-green algae plaguing River Wye

Where did all the fish go? Feargal Sharkey uncovers dangerous blue-green algae plaguing River Wye