A third of drivers want cyclists banned from public highways, new research suggests

Posted on 3 Nov 2022

New research has suggested as many as one in three drivers believe cyclists shouldn’t be allowed on public highways and should be confined to cycle paths.

The same number said they felt too much cash had been spent improving infrastructure for cyclists. Seven in ten of the drivers questioned said cyclists should have insurance. The findings come from an online survey of more than 12,000 UK motorists by data collection firm Yonder. The poll included some questions from the BBC’s Panorama programme as part of its programme Panorama Road Rage: Cars v Bikes, which is available here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001dj03/panorama-road-rage-cars-v-bikes

In January, the Department of Transport (DfT) unveiled controversial changes to the Highway Code which gave cyclists priority over drivers. It means drivers must give way to cyclists at junctions. Cyclists are also encouraged to ride in the middle of the road on certain roads to be more visible. Groups of cyclists should pedal two abreast under the changes, with overtaking motorists having to leave at least 5ft (1.5m) between the car and the closest bike.

Grant Shapps, then transport secretary, suggested earlier this year that cyclists could be forced to have registration numbers, insurance and observe speed limits as part of a legal shake-up. He later appeared to backtrack, saying that he was ‘not attracted to the bureaucracy of registration plates’, adding: ‘That would go too far.’

A string of local councils across the UK have brought in schemes that aim to limit traffic from cars in favour of promoting cycling and walking.

In November 2020, the DfT announced an extra £175million in funding for councils in England to support cycling and walking schemes whilst saying eight out of ten consumers support lower car traffic.

Duncan Dollimore from Cycling UK told BBC Panorama that some people won’t get on a bike because of trouble with motorists.

‘There’s a whole group of people who would never go to work and swear or gesticulate at people, but occasionally they might do that behind the wheel of their car. It does prevent people from cycling. It puts people off,’ he said.