Responsible Cycling Zones ?

How about this for an idea?

Create Responsible Cycling Zones around major City Centres (say, ZONE 1 in London) wherein all cyclists would need to be registered, insured and attend a day of cycling-safely training (and possibly wear a helmet).

This sounds unworkable. The public wouldn't take the limiting of their freedom of movement without a riot. I hope.

This will help to reduce the appalling accident rate by helping novice cyclists to cycle safely. It will also cut down on the 'renegade' attitude that many cyclists display, knowing that traffic violations could be traced back to them.

It'd probably be cheaper and easier to gain support for police at every red in Zone 1, each with a tazer.

It would be a massive PR boost for cyclists who are (often rightly) criticised by motorists for having no training or insurance. It would show a collective will amoung cyclists to act responsibly and counter the somewhat reckless image that hangs over us.

Only if this 'pilot' was rolled-out across the country.

Of course there must be incentives to sweeten the deal - so the training is FREE - and perhaps registering comes with 2 years free insurance and a 10% discount card for local stores?

We're not materialistic enough to give all that up for a discount card. Which is why I don't want compulsory insurance considered vital because a wing-mirror on a german saloon
costs £120.

... Of course the concept behind the whole idea is undermined by the very existance of Boris Bikes...

Yeah, amongst other things.