Proposals to potentially introduce number plates and insurance for cyclists have been described as 'nonsense'.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is also reportedly considering new measures that would mean cyclists have to abide by 20mph speed limits or face penalties.

He has been widely condemned after announcing the plan with motoring experts, transport groups, legal experts and opposition parties criticising the proposal, describing it as “impractical”, “strange” and “a retrograde step”.

Less than a fortnight after vowing to create a “death by dangerous cycling” law that will treat killer cyclists the same as motorists, the 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.

Local cyclists have branded the suggestions as "nonsense" and believe it to be an "anti-cyclist lobby". 

Read more: Cyclists could be forced to get number plates and insurance under new laws

A regular cyclist and councillor Andy Hadley, who is a former cabinet member for transport at BCP Council, said: "I think it would be a very poor idea, they should be encouraging people to use bikes, and this wouldn't do that.

"It's just nonsense news, I ride a lot and now that I have got an e-bike I know how fast I ride. There are people cycling really fast, but my average speed is 11mph. 

"Instead of this, we should be talking about why cyclists feel so unsafe.

"Roads have become so unsafe because cars have got bigger, and more drivers are on the road and drivers are becoming more aggressive.

"If we want to look at controlling speed, we really should be looking at the heavy vehicles, surveys that have been done in BCP prove that cars do not stick to 20mph limits.

"These suggested bike number plates have no relevance at all if you are not enforcing the speed limits on cars."

Bob Richardson, chairman of Jubilee Wheelers said: "As a cyclist that uses my bike every day, I already have insurance, but I rarely rely on my insurance because I never cause any damage.

"It's drivers that cyclists rely on to have insurance because drivers are typically the ones that cause damage. 

"Anyone who is likely to be cycling fast is likely to have insurance anyway because they are probably a professional.

"I don't understand how it would work, would you insist kids and teenagers have insurance?

"The blunt reality is, police have better things to do than chase up cyclists who don't have a license.

"It’s just nanny state nonsense. It feels like an anti-cyclist lobby."