Plumtree town council bans cycling without licence

Plumtree Town Council has enacted new by-laws requiring all cyclists to obtain licences for their bicycles, a move that critics say harks back to colonial-era regulations. The legislation, Statutory Instrument 144 of 2025 [Chapter 29:15], known as the Plumtree Town (Cycle Licensing) By-laws, 2025, lays out strict rules for bicycle ownership, registration, and usage.

According to the by-laws, cyclists must apply for a licence through the council's licensing official, providing details such as the cycle's make, manufacturer's number, purchase receipt, and ownership information. Licences are valid from January 1 to December 31 of each year and must be affixed visibly on the bicycle. Duplicate licences can be issued if the original is lost or destroyed, while new owners are required to register the transfer of a sold or transferred bicycle within 14 days, accompanied by a police clearance and any applicable transfer fees.

The council has also empowered authorised officials to stop and inspect bicycles on any road within the council area to ensure compliance. Cycles found in violation of the by-laws can be impounded, with release only upon payment of prescribed penalties and storage charges. Any unclaimed cycles that remain in council custody for over a month may be sold, with proceeds deposited into council funds. Licences may be cancelled if holders contravene any provisions of the by-laws, and no bicycle may be used on council roads without a valid licence token.

While the council says the regulations are aimed at improving safety and order on local roads, critics argue the laws impose unnecessary bureaucracy and resemble outdated colonial-era practices. The introduction of these by-laws is expected to spark further debate among residents and cyclists in Plumtree.