OK, so where does this trend of licensing stop? Do we license people to buy things from shops in case they drop litter? Shall we license people with pushchairs to ensure they behave appropriately on buses? Should joggers be licensed if they want to run on pavements?

We don't need to agree on this. You feel there is a significant problem with people cycling on pavements that needs a thorough legal and bureaucratic response. I don't think there is a significant enough problem to warrant it, I certainly haven't denied that it happens. My rationale is that the evidence says there are not enough serious incidents surrounding pavement cycling in the country and that it is not as prevalent as suggested to justify the cost and effort to set up laws and licensing schemes. The system would be expensive, overly complex, there are no clear benefits, it would be difficult to police by an already overstretched force and it would discourage a form of transport that should be encouraged. You feel differently, we've debated the issue and continue to disagree. What's wrong with that?