Letter: Licensed cyclists

Sir: In response to J. V. Gough's letter (5 April), there are no objections in principle to requiring cyclists to have third-party insurance - many do already, with the encouragement of the Cyclists' Touring Club. There are also communities in Canada where cycles carry licence plates.

The difficulty lies in the collection of charges. If a road fund licence were to be charged pro rata by weight with a motor vehicle, it would cost about 25p a year, far less than the cost of collection.

There can be no excuse for lack of consideration among road users of any kind. However, for the sake of perspective, it should be borne in mind that the misuse of motor vehicles kills 15 people on British roads every day. The injuries and apprehension caused by even the most idiotic cyclist hardly ever entail even a sticking-plaster, let alone loss of life.

Yours faithfully,

DAVID LEIGHTON

Newbury, Berkshire

5 April