It’s been dismissed as costly and difficult to administer. But new research suggests that there’s widespread and growing support for licensing cyclists in Toronto.

A poll of 834 Toronto residents by Forum Research also shows that more than half of respondents believe that licensing bikes would be a fair trade-off for Toronto investing in European-style bike infrastructure.

Overall, 65 per cent of respondents approved of licensing bikes to improve traffic law enforcement. The broadest support — 71 per cent — came from Scarborough residents. But even among poll respondents in downtown and East York, 67 per cent agreed with licensing cyclists.

Among supporters of Mayor Rob Ford, 72 per cent approved.

Support for licensing has been increasing, according to Forum research. In March 2011, only 56 per cent of 1,012 residents agreed with the idea of bike licences.

More than half of respondents to this latest poll — 54 per cent — also agreed that the city should invest in “a comprehensive European-style bicycle infrastructure, with dedicated lanes and parking lots.”

Downtown and East York respondents showed the highest support, at 62 per cent. Even among drivers, 48 per cent agreed with the infrastructure investment. Transit users and cyclist/pedestrians were 61 per cent and 63 per cent agreed, respectively.

The Interactive Voice Response poll, conducted Friday and Saturday, found 52 per cent agreed that the licensing would be a fair trade-off for the city investing in European-style bike infrastructure such as separated lanes and secure bike parking at stations.

Among motorists, 53 per cent agreed and 47 per cent of Ford supporters also said they agreed.

European-style bike facilities have a good image in terms of safety, suggested Forum Research president Lorne Bozinoff.

“There have been some high-profile cycling accidents, and I think that’s just raised the issue. The car-cyclist interaction has not gone that well in Toronto,” he said.

Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair has said that licensing cyclists would create better accountability and contribute to better enforcement of traffic laws.

Cyclists using public roads are subject to most of the same charges and fines as a motorist under the Highway Traffic Act.

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Bike advocates fear that licensing would be costly to taxpayers in terms of administration and also discourage people from pedalling.

The poll is considered accurate plus or minus 3 per cent, 19 times out of 20.