A local councillor has slammed an idea to force cyclists to display registration plates as 'stupid.'

County Councillor Matt Jenkins dismissed the plan, put forward by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, as unworkable.

He said: "It's a stupid idea. I've seen the report on this idea and it's unworkable.

"We have just been through the hottest summer in a long time, we should want people out of cars and onto bikes and to keep people healthy and fit and actively travelling.

"That is what the county council has been pushing and what the government says it is pushing.

"Can you imagine it actually working?

"It is not a workable idea but some people have certain ideas and they just hate cyclists. This idea appeals to a certain demographic of people.

"I'm sure it will never happen. For example, what age would you have to be to have a registration plate on your bike?

"The costs would be too large. Do we expect the police to chase every bike around Worcester?

"It is never going to be a realistic solution."

Cycling has been in the news since Mr Shapps, a cabinet minister, said he wanted to stop certain behaviour on the roads.

His plan could involve a requirement for cyclists to display number plates and buy insurance, as well as face prosecution for breaking road speed limits.

This is despite nearly 60 times more pedestrians being killed in collisions with cars than bicycles, and many cyclists not being able to reach even 20mph.

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Cllr Jenkins said: "I think the only place that this is done is North Korea so I would say that tells you everything you need to know about this as an idea.

"The best place to cycle is in the Netherlands and isn't copying the best how we should do it?

"In the Netherlands they have such a good cycle infrastructure and we should be looking to that.

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"Cycling there is a way to get from A to B and the cycling routes are usually out of the way from roads used by cars - many cyclists there don't even wear helmets.

"The separation between drivers and cyclists means that both drivers and cyclists are happy.

"If you make it difficult for people to cycle then people just won't do it. It's a silly idea."