Is the DGT considering a bicycle licence?

Rumours about compulsory insurance or a bicycle licence are recurring, and the DGT has finally made its position clear on the matter

There are certain topics that keep coming up in vehicle legislation, such as the idea of requiring a licence or insurance for bicycles or, more recently, the rules for electric scooters.

Be that as it may, they say where there’s smoke there’s fire. But weather balloons are also launched into the atmosphere to study its condition…

Well, regarding the possibility of requiring a bicycle licence, the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT), at least for now, is clear on the matter.

This is what it has published in its magazine, in an article that backs education and training in learning how to use a bicycle, aimed at safe use, both for the cyclist, for pedestrians, and for the relationship between bicycles and other motor vehicles.

The DGT’s proposal is to promote training courses for cyclists and the proper maintenance of the bicycles themselves. In its direct relationship, the body that proposes and supervises activity on traffic and road safety, the growing use of the bicycle calls for attention to two key points: the good condition and upkeep of any vehicle, and the competence of whoever takes the controls of this means of transport.

With an important surge in bicycle use, especially in urban areas, where the asphalt is shared with a variety of vehicles of different kinds, the way to increase safety in general is through a bicycle in good condition and training in how to handle it.

So, although for now it seems clear that the DGT has no plans to require a bicycle licence, it does favour promoting an educational line that will be handled by the Subdirectorate for Road Safety Training and Education.

Cyclist training courses

The Educational Intervention Unit under the Directorate-General for Traffic is planning to train instructors in cyclist training, who will in turn be able to teach certain groups the theoretical and practical knowledge of using and maintaining a bicycle.

The aim would not be similar to obtaining a licence or permit for a bicycle, but rather to promote, as is already done from primary school onwards or for groups vulnerable in terms of road safety, the essential aspects of the use and enjoyment of this means of transport and recreational vehicle.

This knowledge could be disseminated and received online and through open access, for all those people interested in cyclist training courses.