Cycle Registration Scheme

CYCLE REGISTRATION SCHEME _______________

Lodged au Greffe on 22nd June 1999 by Deputy T.J. Le Main of St. Helier

______________________________

STATES OF JERSEY

STATES GREFFE

175             1 9 9 9    P . 8 6          

Price code: A

PROPOSITION

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion -

(1 ) to establish a cycle registration scheme requiring all owners of pedal cycles to register their cycle with the

Connétable of the parish in which they reside before using the cycle on the public roads;

  (2 ) to agree that the scheme should provide that, on payment of a registration fee, the Connétable would issue the

owner with a licence plate bearing the name of the parish and a registration number and that the owner would be required to affix the licence plate in a conspicuous position at the rear of the cycle;

  (3 ) to agree that the cost of operation of the registration scheme should be met in full through the payment of

registration fees;

  (4 ) to charge the Defence Committee to prepare the necessary legislation to give effect to the scheme. DEPUTY T.J. LE MAIN OF ST. HELIER

Report

In 1973 Article 35 of the Loi (1914) sur la Voirie was repealed by the States and the then cycle registration scheme was abolished. I am now proposing that we re-introduce a scheme requiring all cycles, tricycles and other pedal-powered vehicles to be registered before being used on the public highway.

It is quite clear on a daily basis that very many cyclists are seen to be ignoring the highway code by riding through pedestrian areas, on pavements, through traffic lights and along no entry roads. Abuse and confrontation takes place between pedestrians and cyclists who are breaking the law, and there have been accidents that have occurred because of inconsiderate and law- breaking cyclists. I should point out that the vast majority of cyclists are a credit to other road users and pedestrians and are considerate and law-abiding. Unfortunately the reputation of people cycling is being damaged by a small minority who have no regard for other people or the law and this is the main reason why I am proposing a re-introduction of the registration of cycles. I also believe that it is important to be able to identify a cyclist who may have had a confrontation with a child and also so that, in case of injury or damage, a third party could pursue a claim and be able to identify the cyclist concerned.

I also believe that because of the speed of some of these pedal-powered machines and cycles, and the amount of damage and injury that could be caused, it is time that all cyclists had some form of third-party insurance which could easily be part of the owner's household policy. I will not be pursuing this point at present, but believe that it should eventually form part of a cycle registration scheme.