Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the possible (1) advantages, and (2) disadvantages, of introducing a licensing system for cyclists.

The Government considered this matter carefully as part of the cycling and walking safety review in 2018, and has no plans to introduce such a system. Cycling brings many benefits, particularly in terms of health and the environment, and the Government is keen to encourage rather than restrict it. Cyclists must respect the rules of the road as set out in The Highway Code and enforcement of cycling offences is a matter for the police. The introduction of a licensing system would be likely to deter many people from cycling and the costs and complexity of introducing and administering such a system, would be likely to outweigh any road safety or other benefits.