The new head teacher of The Beacon School in Banstead is implementing new rules so that students wishing to cycle there must sign a permit.

Fitting a number plate under their bike seat is a requirement of the permit which is to be signed by the student and a parent or carer.

Head teacher Keith Batchelor sent a letter to parents this week informing them of the policy change.

He told Sutton Guardian: “I decided to refine the current cycling policy to enhance further the safety of the students in our care and develop their sense of responsibility on the road.

“The procedures will support the safeguarding of our students on their journeys to and from school and help us to celebrate safe cycling.”

Mr Batchelor added that he has received positive comments from families about the scheme and feels “encouraged by the healthy and articulate discussion from the majority of contributors”.

However, Surrey cycling club Dittons Velo, tweeted saying the move is “ridiculous and laughable”.

They argued that imposing number plates would prevent students from cycling to the secondary school.

A spokesman told Sutton Guardian: "We need to get more people walking or cycling to work or to school. The environment and our health will directly benefit.

"We don’t need more hurdles but we do need to find more ways to encourage people to walk or cycle – young or old."

The new cycling requirements will be enforced from December 11.

In the letter, Mr Batchelor told parents that students are also required to wear helmets or risk being refused permission to cycle to school.