An announcement that cyclists could soon be required to display number plates has been described as an “expensive folly” by a Bradford councillor.

In a recent interview, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps revealed he was looking at mandatory insurance and registration for cyclists.

He claimed this could help “track cyclists who break the law.”

The interview, which made the front page of a number of national newspapers, also called for tougher action on cyclists who break speed limits.

The Department for Transport has since said no plans were currently in place for such a policy shift, but that future legislation would be a matter for whoever is Transport Secretary in the new Government.

Since the announcement, the policy has been heavily criticised by many, including opposition politicians and cycle groups, as unworkable.

They argue it could add a huge burden to stretched police forces who already struggle to tackle dangerous car drivers.

Claim that Council sees cars as enemy is described as 'gibberish'

Others have questioned whether the policy could lead to young children being handed criminal records for riding bikes they have not registered with the DVLA.

Among those to criticise the plans is Matt Edwards, Green Councillor for the Tong ward in Bradford.

He has accused the government of pushing an “anti-cycling narrative that is making things far more dangerous for cyclists.”

Cllr Edwards claimed the proposals come at a time when people in Bradford should be encouraged to swap their cars for cycling whenever possible.

He said: “If we are serious about tackling the cost of living crisis and the climate emergency, we need to get people out of their cars and - for many people, especially in urban areas - cycling is the cheapest and easiest way for people to get around.

“This latest announcement is not based on facts and is another example of Grant Shapps trying to shift focus from a Conservative government that has no idea how to tackle the big problems we all face.

“The Netherlands and Denmark have much higher rates of cycling than the UK and they know that a registration scheme for cyclists is an expensive folly that would be impossible to administer.

“Most road traffic accidents in the UK, especially those with fatalities, are caused by reckless car drivers - not cyclists. The anti-cycling narrative this government is pushing is actually making things far more dangerous for cyclists.”

Work on a new segregated cycle way from Bradford city centre to the west of the city is expected to start this Winter.