I am a happier cyclist having moved to a country without pointless restrictions in the name of collective safety. If people want to brain themselves that should be their own choice. Encouraging people to take responsibility for their own actions is more important than some dictated decree from above.
What is the advantage of no gear? Well, I can get on my bike and get to and from the store in 5 minutes (I live in a safe country, I don't even lock my bike up most of the time). Five minutes. The roads around my home are so complex and steep that it is nigh on impossible for a car to travel faster than a cyclist. Having an arbitrary requirement would only act to discourage people from cycling.
For the record, I routinely cycle around 80km a week, mainly commuting. I am only on a road for 30 seconds in the entire trip (basically, the last part to my house). With practically no enforcement (I've never seen police on bike paths or talking to cyclists) cycling is safer and easier than what I have experienced elsewhere. When the main risk is to your own wellbeing, most people are sensible enough to not kill themselves without the nanny state holding their hand.
What is the advantage of no gear? Well, I can get on my bike and get to and from the store in 5 minutes (I live in a safe country, I don't even lock my bike up most of the time). Five minutes. The roads around my home are so complex and steep that it is nigh on impossible for a car to travel faster than a cyclist. Having an arbitrary requirement would only act to discourage people from cycling.
For the record, I routinely cycle around 80km a week, mainly commuting. I am only on a road for 30 seconds in the entire trip (basically, the last part to my house). With practically no enforcement (I've never seen police on bike paths or talking to cyclists) cycling is safer and easier than what I have experienced elsewhere. When the main risk is to your own wellbeing, most people are sensible enough to not kill themselves without the nanny state holding their hand.