With many concerned about the safety of Oxford's roads, the Oxford Mail asked its readers for their thoughts on requiring cyclists to stick number plates on their bikes.

After Italy’s deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini proposed the introduction of number plates for cyclists in early June, there has been wider debate as to whether such a proposal would be more harmful than good.

Mr Salvini, who also works as the country’s transport and infrastructure minister, proposed strict laws which would make helmet wearing compulsory, require cyclists to take out insurance and force them to fit a number plate to their bikes.

Oxford Mail: Cyclist in OxfordCyclist in Oxford

Mr Salvini is a member of the right wing Brothers of Italy party which is led by prime minister Georgia Meloni and he said his bill would guarantee “more rules, more education, and more safety on Italian roads”.

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In response to the question ‘Do you think cyclists should have number plates’,  Oxford Mail readers were very divided as to whether the measure would be too restrictive or would act as a deterrent against dangerous cycling on the roads.

Motorist Mandy Brearley said: “Yes, a cyclist damaged my car and rode off.

"They should also have insurance.”

However, Hazel Dawe, a member of Extinction Rebellion Oxford, said: “Ridiculous idea and impracticable.

“Costs far too much to implement and discourages people from cycling.”

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Another Oxford Mail reader Nick Hood highlighted that introducing number plates would provide families with extra costs and limit people’s freedom to move around.

He said: “Would you be willing to take out insurance and pay to register your child‘s bike and yours when you go on a family bike ride?

“I doubt it and with the rise in cost of living you would be killing off the freedom it gives cyclists with all the additional expenditure that families cannot afford.”

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Some users suggested “on-the-spot fines” but others argued paying road tax was another alternative.

Oxford Mail:

One commenter Dave Tweddle said: “No, but I do agree with cyclists having to pay road tax if they are going to use a road that has a cycle path right next to it.

“I understand in some places this cannot be helped but around most major cities there are paths and lanes to be used but yet they would rather use the road.”

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Plans to introduce number plates for bikes resulted in a backlash in Italy, with the cycling journal Bikeitalia claiming the legislation would only discourage people from riding bikes.

It also challenged Mr Salvini to “name one country in the world which obliges the use of helmet, number plate, insurance, and indicators for bikes: certainly in no country that promotes the bicycle as a means of transport”.

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Ed specialises in writing political stories for the Oxford Mail and The Oxford Times. 

He joined in the team in February 2023, after completing a History undergraduate degree at the University of York and studying for his NCTJ diploma in London.

Ed’s weekly politics newsletter is released every Saturday morning.