London Mayor Ken Livingstone yesterday revealed he is considering plans for registration and number plates for bicycles in a bid to combat the menace of law-breaking cyclists.
A ban on jaywalking is also being investigated, he said, as he outlined plans for a bill designed to catch those riders who stray on to the pavement and go through red lights.
Following a listener's emailed plea as to what he could do to get adult cyclists "off our pavements" on LBC 97.3FM radio's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast, the Mayor said such behaviour was a "crime".
"I think, I'm now persuaded we should actually say that bikes and their owners, should be registered," he said. "There should be a number plate on the back so that the ones breaking the law, we can get them off the cameras.
"It's the only way you can do it."
He added: "You've got to have legislation, but I think, most likely we'll look at putting up what's called a private bill and I think I can get the London boroughs - all of them, irrespective of parties - to most likely go along with that and have a proper vehicle/bicycle registration."
Asked if that meant licence plates for bicycles, he said: "Yes, so you can catch the ones - I mean, the ones that are obeying the law it makes no difference - but the ones who are going over red lights, driving on pavements, - you get 'em."
And on a ban for jaywalking, the Mayor said: "If you are going to ban jaywalking you're gonna have to have a lot more actual formal pedestrian crossings like they have at America junctions."
