Cyclists and e-scooter riders who flout road laws should face tougher penalties such as points and fines, according to the UK public.

The Government has said it needs to crack down on a disregard for road safety by some cyclists

Just months after the Government proposed a clampdown on rogue riders, a new survey by Venson has shown that the general public are in favour of such a move.

While cyclists who jump red lights are jeopardising their own safety and that of other road users, the odds of escaping prosecution are high.

Former transport secretary Grant Shapps recently proposed a Whitehall review of how cyclists who break the law should be tracked and prosecuted. Initial ideas put forward to facilitate this include insurance cover for riders and registration plates for bikes.

The latest research by Venson Automotive Solutions shows that the UK public are in favour. A total 62% of those surveyed by Venson agreed that riders of bicycles, e-bikes and e-scooters should have insurance cover and nearly half (49%) believe these modes of transport should carry registration plates.

And 94% of respondents support the introduction of penalty points and fines for riders of bicycles, e-bikes and e-scooters breaking speed limits and greater penalties for those red light jumping. One in four also believe that a rider’s licence should be mandatory, which includes taking a theory and road test.

Alison Bell, operations director at Venson Automotive Solutions, said: “A lot of private motorists and businesses operating fleets are looking for greener transport options for themselves and their employees, including bicycles and e-bikes which can be offered under a salary sacrifice scheme by employers. With the Government setting a target for half of all short trips to be walked or cycled by 2030 in England, this type of ‘micro-transport’ could provide a viable transport alternative and support that ambition.

“However, the reality is just 9.1% of people cycled at least once a week for any purpose between November 2020 and November 2021. The latest figures from the Department for Transport also showed that this is down 11.6% compared to the same period the year before.”

Bell also pointed out that while more needs to be done to encourage people and businesses to change their transport habits, stricter rules for cyclists and scooter riders could significantly deter people from making a switch.

“Striking a balance will be crucial to successfully growing such micro-transport, whilst protecting all road users fairly.”