I'm not sure where I stand on this one, on one hand it seems like a good idea to keep the lycra brigade in control and the fee for the license isn't un-reasonable. Although it seriously arsey to make something that was free now payable. I'm not sure what the hell "casulty insurance" is though, so have no idea what it'd cost or what it covers.
Liability insurance - hit someone and injure or kill them, or hit and damage property, that sort of thing. The same kind of basic insurance that every other road user must carry.
On the other hand what possible safety checks can you do on a bike? other than are your tyres fucked and do your lights work.... and what happens if it fails? is there a fine? If so it'll just be another thing for the police to abuse to get a bit of extra money.
I know you guys have MOT over there, and it applies to motorcycles as well. Well, every other wheeled road using vehicle must be subjected to similar types of exams (at least in my state) and it's only fair that bicycles be forced to do so as well. See the picture above - dude cycling up the onramp had, uh, NONE of the required lights on his bicycle. Check brakes, tires, lights, reflectors, license mount, and you're outta there. Pretty much the same thing done with my motorcycle.
They are charging more than an admin fee. There are lots of poor families with children who would be affected by this. Otherwise I don't have an issue as I bike off road anyway.
That's less than I have to pay for my motorcycle's licensure fees. If you can't afford this, you can't afford the mandatory helmet, either. Too bad - remember, road usage is a privilege, not a right. (As the authorities are fond of telling you when you get caught speeding.)
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only thing a bicycle should be excused from (versus a motorcycle) is emissions - because obviously it doesn't have any. Other than that, as a road-going vehicle, it should be treated the same by the law and carry the same requirements. It should have to carry lighting, reflectors, a device to monitor speed, have functional brakes, be required to be insured, and the operator should be required to carry proof that they are trained to operate the vehicle to the state's satisfaction.
Remember also that that fee (theoretically) includes the bicycle's share of the upkeep on the traffic controls, lane markers, and other road features that the rider makes use of, so yes, it can and should be more than an admin fee. Equal rights means equal treatment and
equal responsibility. Don't want the last two, don't ask for the first one.