Food for Thought: Should Cyclists Pay Road Tax?
- Thread starter Ricochet J
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Soldato
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Then what prevents cyclists from doing silly things?
I'd hate the idea of one party automatically assumed to be at fault based on what transport they are using (this be either way round).
What I have noticed in this thread is that the motorists are happy for changes so that both motor vehicle users and cyclist have equal rights but the cyclists don't seem to be keen on being equal.
I always remember one guy, on this very wide road we where riding 2 abreast that is legal and perfectly fine, doing about 20mph, some guys in a camper van came past, get out of the ****** road he said, chucked a can at us, good job there was a gap inbetween me and the guy next to me and the people in front or broken wheels and injury would have being caused
Don
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Personally, riding 2 abreast is one of my pet-hates. Just because its "legal" (although I have my doubts on this) does not mean its sensible, or appropriate.
If you want to cycle side by side, dont do it one the road. Its not a social meeting place. It's un-necessary and annoys other road users.
If you want to cycle side by side, dont do it one the road. Its not a social meeting place. It's un-necessary and annoys other road users.
Nothing wrong with it on a road that is not busy and is wide. You'd be surprised why social rides are called social rides.
Bicycle road tax + insurance = almost no bicycle usage = more cars on the road = more pollution = people do less exercise = more strain on NHS as people are fattier and less healthy = bike shops going out of business = bigger unemployment = Bad IDEA
Not true really.
Don
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Social ride should be an off the road ride.
If you must ride 2 abreast, then make sure you are pulled over to single file when other traffic approaches. That includes other cyclists!!
Its just sensible, and courtious (sp?) to do so. Dont go moaning about car drivers being ignorant, arrogant and dangerous when you are showing exactly the same traits by cycling 2 abreast.
Agreed.
Explain why not? Seems spot on to me. I cycle because it's free. If they started asking tax for it I'd just use a moped or a car ( and hell no to public transport) to get around and I'm sure many many others would. Cycling is supposed to be free.
Not really, perhaps if you have an expensive bike ( but then you should simply invest in 2 good ( eg. 70€+) locks.). But I do it the dutch way: But the cheapest new bike around of the type I want, cheapo lock, if it ever gets stolen ( luckily never happened) pop on the internet, look for bikes in the neighborhood, pick up 2nd hand bike for 10€, and cycle on without worries. OR until my bike falls apart, then repeat. I have tried the more expensive racing bikes and concluded it's a complete waste of money compared to an old dutch (steel) city bike (shed) in terms of usability. Simply get a cheap one and stop worrying about thieves, save the money instead for something nicer, eg. a car or (motor)bike
As a cyclist and driver there definitely shouldn't be a tax on cyclists - for a start it would be practically un-enforceable, and due to the tiny ratio of damage caused by cycles compared to big heavy cars and trucks, the rate would be about 1-2% of VED. Which I already pay as a car owner anyway, and choose to cycle.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069837
^ See rule 66. Never *MORE* than 2 abreast, so 2 abreast is legally fine.
However, when I'm in the car it does annoy me somewhat when 2 cyclists are on a busy road, with cars trying to pass and they are either determined to stay 2 abreast, or take an awfully long time to move to single file.
Should only really be done on minor roads or when traffic is pretty quiet.
If I'm on a road (rarely, with a 5" travel full sus bike and fat tyres) I'll always ride single file unless its completely traffic free - had too many near misses when riding alone, let alone making myself a bigger target!
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069837
^ See rule 66. Never *MORE* than 2 abreast, so 2 abreast is legally fine.
However, when I'm in the car it does annoy me somewhat when 2 cyclists are on a busy road, with cars trying to pass and they are either determined to stay 2 abreast, or take an awfully long time to move to single file.
Should only really be done on minor roads or when traffic is pretty quiet.
If I'm on a road (rarely, with a 5" travel full sus bike and fat tyres) I'll always ride single file unless its completely traffic free - had too many near misses when riding alone, let alone making myself a bigger target!
I vote no. Purely because I cycle a lot and I'd be annoyed to have to pay road tax. Holding us liable for accidents we cause is fair enough, though I am unsure how many such accidents there are.
I cycle ludicrously recklessly, but with significant skill. Part of the recklessness comes from the requirement to stay the hell away from cars who seem to swerve all over the place, as I'm well aware I'll come off worse in a collision with one. So when the choice is the kerb, central reservation, or wrong side of the road if it's safer than tucked between the kerb and the cars I'll take the 'hazardous' option thank you very much. I have not been hit by a car, nor caused a car to swerve let alone crash. I have however been stopped and fined.
5" travel and low pressure tyres must make hills just beautiful ^
I cycle ludicrously recklessly, but with significant skill. Part of the recklessness comes from the requirement to stay the hell away from cars who seem to swerve all over the place, as I'm well aware I'll come off worse in a collision with one. So when the choice is the kerb, central reservation, or wrong side of the road if it's safer than tucked between the kerb and the cars I'll take the 'hazardous' option thank you very much. I have not been hit by a car, nor caused a car to swerve let alone crash. I have however been stopped and fined.
5" travel and low pressure tyres must make hills just beautiful ^
I would personally say that riding two abreast falls foul of Highway Code rule 68 as you are riding in a fashion that is inconsiderate to other road users - much like you would get told off by police if you went on a road in a car (or two) and then did 30mph less that the speed limit in the lane/both lanes.
Soldato
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Id struggle to support this when my car has a VED of nil. 
Exactly.
Specialized Pitch Comp
Low pressure so that the hills are beautiful when descending them, ideally off road with minimal grip and maximum mud/jumps. Hence Hamsterly forest black trail on Saturday, minimum tarmac involved.And yes, I do ride "dangerously" on roads as well, even on my transport to work bike - I have pretty quick reaction times, and have sometimes needed them to avoid collisions with bad drivers or those who haven't seen me.
Can't ever see that changing in the forseeable future - to expect cyclists to pay for the privelege of being potentially maimed would be a little harsh.