A BARROW man says the government stole his idea about cyclists being insured after his car was damaged by a child.

Mark Bell is calling for cyclists to have insurance and wants them to be held to account when cycling irresponsibly.

He took his calls to Barrow and Furness MP Simon Fell after a child collided with his car while taking a drink on a push bike a few months ago, he said.

But he says he calls fell on deaf ears - until now.

This week Transport Secretary Grant Shapps backed proposed changes for cyclists including calls for insurance and number plates before they take to the road.

Mr Bell, who had to foot the bill himself after paint was scraped from down the side of three panels of the vehicle, said: “I sat back and thought, if this has happened to me, how many other cars are being hit?

“I contacted Simon Fell and said to him, ‘why are cyclists allowed to go into cars and we are paying for the damage?’ There should be some give and take because if we hit a cyclist and they get injured, they can get thousands off us.

“Maybe by holding them responsible they might cycle more sensibly and be less of a risk.”

Mr Fell then passed on the concerns to fellow Cumbrian MP Trudy Harrison MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department of Transport.

Responding to Mr Bell in writing Mrs Harrison said: “We have previously considered the possibility of introducing a compulsory insurance system for everyone who cycles on the highway, but this would be likely to lead to a reduction in the number of people cycling.”

She adds: “To be effective, such a requirement would also need to be introduced alongside a mandatory licensing and registration system to allow those cycling to be identified and insurance details to be exchanged at the scene of any incident, which would be costly and complex.”

She finishes: “I am afraid that I do not think that compulsory insurance for all those who cycle would be a proportionate solution.”

Mr Bell said: “Next thing I know someone sends me an email saying the government has decided to do the exact same thing as I’ve asked her (Mrs Harrison) – so I just thought I wonder where they got the idea from?”

Cyclists may have to get number plates and insurance for their bikes under new laws.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has backed the proposed changes which include new laws that could see cyclists being given licence penalty points or fines for breaking speed limits or running red lights.

He said: “That obviously does then lead you into the question of: ‘Well, how are you going to recognise the cyclist? Do you need registration plates and insurance? And that sort of thing.’

“So I’m proposing there should be a review of insurance and how you actually track cyclists who do break the laws.”

Mr Fell said: "I’m not sure whether Mr Bell’s incident sparked the department’s interest in this, but as a cyclist who has insurance myself, I can certainly see merit in this.

"However, I’m aware others will have differing views, so I’d be keen to hear from them and to ensure that there is a proper public consultation from DfT on any proposals."