It’s common knowledge that Vancouverites need a licence to drive and own a dog – but in the future could they also need a licence to ride a bike?

City Councillor Melissa De Genova is calling for cyclists to be licensed on city streets in light of recent bike rage incidents, and plans to bring the motion to council Tuesday.

“I’m hearing there is a real need, especially as Vancouver carries on to encourage cycling as one of our number one modes of transportation, to make sure that we do whatever we can do make sure there’s harmony between motorists, cyclists and pedestrians,” she says.

De Genova says the motion is in response to a recent incident where a pregnant woman was allegedly attacked by a cyclist in Kitsilano. The only way to identify the alleged assailant in this circumstance was a photograph snapped by a witness, De Genova adds.

Mandy Pappas, who is five months pregnant, was heading to a nearby school to cast her advance ballot on Oct. 9 when a cyclist blew past a stop sign at the intersection of Cypress Street and York Avenue. When she yelled at the biker, he allegedly began charging towards her, knocking her to the ground.

Witnesses snapped a photo of the cyclist, who fled the scene, and the images went viral on social media.

A shaken and bruised Pappas went to the hospital, where doctors confirmed the baby would be okay. She told CTV News on Monday that she’s happy the city is thinking about solutions for the problem.

“I’m really happy to hear there’s some discussion that’s been sparked around this issue,” says Pappas. “I think this is what needs to happen - I’m looking for change…This is a great first step.”

Vancouver police confirm the cyclist who allegedly assaulted Pappas came to speak with officers on his own, and provided a statement. The incident remains under investigation.

The idea of licensing cyclists is a controversial one. Cyclist advocate and executive director of Hub Cycling Erin O’Melinn doesn’t think it’s a viable option.

“Bicycle licensing is very ineffective, and very costly,” O’Melinn says. “In the places where they’ve done it they don’t find it does what they want it to do…Many jurisdictions have removed the need for licensing because it wasn’t working for them.”

Many complications arise with bike licensing, she adds, such as child cyclists. O’Melinn believes there are better options to make Vancouver a safer city, including education for bikers of all ages.

But De Genova says just because the initiative has failed in other cities, it doesn’t mean Vancouver shouldn’t give it a try. The program could also help police return stolen bikes to their rightful owners, she adds, noting that around 2,000 bikes go missing in Vancouver each year.

“I understand some municipalities in large cities have tried this and haven’t succeeded – but I’m not afraid of that,” she says. “Vancouver should be a leader, especially if we’re trying to encourage cycling as a mode of transportation, why aren’t we trying to have a program in tandem with that?”