The only country in the world which currently has a number plate on bicycles is concerning for UK

The only country in the world that requires bicycles to have number plates on them could be a sign of things to come in the UK.

According to today's front page of the Mail, ministers are considering tightening the rules for the public using their bicycles, including the mandatory use of number plates - despite continued pledges of making the UK as 'green' as possible.

If the reports are to be believed, the UK may end up being the second country in the world to enforce this rule, following closely to the moves of North Korea, which is the one and only country in the world that requires cyclists to have number plates on their bikes.

The Mail reports officials believe riders should have to abide by the same rules as motorists, and could face 20 mph speed limits in certain residential areas.

If cyclists were to break these rules, hefty fines may be handed out as well as penalty points.

Ministers realise this would mean riders would need to be be fitted with a number plate to legally use them. Plates would be needed as identifiable markings for enforcement purposes.

Also considered as part of the new plan is mandatory insurance for all cyclists. If this was to come into play, pedestrians who have been seriously injured by a cyclists would be able to seek compensation.

This is possible if a pedestrian is hit by a motorist, as the reckless driver's insurance company would pay out. However, a reckless cyclist cannot be sued by a pedestrian, especially if they have little wealth.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced as part of the wider plan last month a new law of death by dangerous cycling would be introduced.

Currently, a 'legal loophole' means killer cyclists can only be jailed for a maximum of 2 years. Meanwhile, motorists committing the same offence can face life imprisonment.

Speaking to the Mail, Shapps said: "I don’t want to stop people from getting on their bike, it’s a fantastic way to travel, and we’ve seen a big explosion of cycling during Covid and since.

"But I see no reason why cyclists should break the road laws and be able to get away with it."

So it looks possible the UK will follow in the footsteps of North Korea and introduce tougher measures for cyclists.

However, one Twitter user was not exactly pleased with the ideas coming from the UK government.

North Korea has always had mixed reviews on the public using their bicycles. A ban on them was in place for decades in the capital city of Pyongyang, until it was suddenly lifted in 1922.

Nowadays, it is reported cyclists must obtain a licence by passing a road safety test - another legality that is a possibility in the future of the UK's cyclists.