THE state government has no plans to introduce a licensing system for cyclists, despite talks of it happening in New South Wales.
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New South Wales Roads Minister Duncan Gay announced yesterday that he was "increasingly persuaded" that a licensing system needed to be introduced for cyclists on NSW roads to combat rider deaths.
He said he was also considering banning bicycles from certain Sydney roads to ensure riders' safety.
A Tasmanian government spokeswoman said there were no plans to introduce licensing systems here.
"However, on Sunday Minister Rene Hidding will launch in Launceston a campaign called Drive so that others can survive," the spokeswoman said.
Tamar Bicycle Users Group president Malcolm Cowan said registrations wouldn't make the slightest difference to cyclist safety.
"Knee-jerk reactions like registrations and banning cyclists from roads are not helping," he said.
"You've got to make our roads safer for cyclists."
He said separation was the way to go but it shouldn't be by restricting cyclists.
A Queensland inquiry into cycling last year found that most people in the state were opposed to a cycling registration.
The inquiry paper recommended against bringing in registration and licensing cyclists on the basis that it would be a disincentive to ride, there was little evidence that registration would improve road safety and that most cyclists already paid fees for having a car.