B
Big Tone
Darwin Award? 
I think someone on here had a signature that read "if you make something idiot proof a better class of idiot comes along" or something along those lines.
We cannot make level crossings a complete no-go zone in case 1 cyclist/motorist decides to ignore all of the very clear warnings and proceed onto the junction without looking.
For far too long in this country we have allowed people to abrogate their own sense of responsibility, its always someone else's fault and they should be sued. We have become a nation of ambulance chasers and litigators.
Everyone should take responsibility for themselves and use common sense, I drive, ride a motorbike and cycle but would never ever try to gain a few seconds advantage in a journey by jumping a red light or cutting across a level crossing and endangering not just those travelling with me but those others who are completely innocently going about their daily lives.
Sombrero , I'm not sure where you live but in general around my part of Surrey if I see 10 cyclists on the road 9 of them will not be riding safely or prepared with the right equipment for the conditions their riding in!!
We cannot make level crossings a complete no-go zone in case 1 cyclist/motorist decides to ignore all of the very clear warnings and proceed onto the junction without looking.
For far too long in this country we have allowed people to abrogate their own sense of responsibility, its always someone else's fault and they should be sued. We have become a nation of ambulance chasers and litigators.
Everyone should take responsibility for themselves and use common sense, I drive, ride a motorbike and cycle but would never ever try to gain a few seconds advantage in a journey by jumping a red light or cutting across a level crossing and endangering not just those travelling with me but those others who are completely innocently going about their daily lives.
Sombrero , I'm not sure where you live but in general around my part of Surrey if I see 10 cyclists on the road 9 of them will not be riding safely or prepared with the right equipment for the conditions their riding in!!
One worry I have about cyclists is that, should I ever be involved in an accident caused by the antics of a selfish idiot cyclist, the chances are that I would find myself being accused of being responsible purely because I am a motorist. That's the way people's minds seem to work. That is one of the reasons why I have a video camera on my windscreen.
Something I would really like to see is the introduction of licence plates for cyclists for the purpose of identification. As things are, if a cyclist causes an accident and immediately b*ggers off, it is quite likely that no-one will ever see him again. I mean, what do you say to the police? He was on a blue bike and wearing yellow lycra.
Whilst I'm on the subject, is there any logical reason why cyclists shouldn't pay road tax (or whatever they call it now)? Not as much as a motorist, of course (two thin wheels instead of four fat ones), but a proportionate amount.
Something I would really like to see is the introduction of licence plates for cyclists for the purpose of identification. As things are, if a cyclist causes an accident and immediately b*ggers off, it is quite likely that no-one will ever see him again. I mean, what do you say to the police? He was on a blue bike and wearing yellow lycra.
Whilst I'm on the subject, is there any logical reason why cyclists shouldn't pay road tax (or whatever they call it now)? Not as much as a motorist, of course (two thin wheels instead of four fat ones), but a proportionate amount.
B
Big Tone
I have a simple take on this JBR which you may not like, but hear me out please...
We all know that road tax is not something which goes on our roads, by and large. But that political thistle aside, I believe the tax levied on all transport should be proportionate to whatever wrecks the roads most. (I would actually like no road tax and put it on the price of fuel instead, but that's another logical argument 'they' wont do). HGVs and buses are amongst the worst of course and I believe their road tax runs into thousands; but so it should.
Cars are far ‘kinder’ and then if you consider motorbikes, well, I get 4,000 miles to a back tyre made from marshmallow. So I don’t think that’s causing too much damage to our roads but even so I don’t begrudge the tax I pay for my motorbike.
When we get to bicycles, my own opinion is that the wear or damage to roads is truly negligible! So if only for that reason alone I wouldn’t start taxing bicycle riders. The other reason is that it has to be good for anyone to be able to get their bike out at any time and just go without thinking about tax, insurance etc. otherwise it will discourage potential cyclist IMHO.
Also, and I think this has to be a valid argument against it, most people have a car, motorbike or use public transport and pay Council tax; so they are actually paying towards any dedicated cycle paths and upkeep of roads anyway. Why would you want to introduce yet another tax and more paper-pushing bureaucracy on top of all the other damn taxes we already pay? I rest my case...
Going to work the other morning at 5.15am on an unlit single lane A class road which has a lot of heavy traffic I see a cyclist coming towards me with bright headlight on his bike, high reflective strips on his trouser legs and jacket body and sleeves. Easily visible from afar and on looking in my mirror as I passed him the view from traffic approaching him was just as good. Top marks to that cyclist.
Less than 30 seconds later in the distance I saw 2 little red lights oscillating up and down on the opposite side of the road. No idea what they were. It was only as I got really close to passing him that I realised it was another cyclist! No headlight, no reflective clothing, (in fact he was wearing dark attire!),nothing except these two little red lights which were attached to the toes of his footwear!!!!
Looking at him in my mirror after going past and I couldn't see him at all! No rear lights or anything. I mentioned it to one of the cyclists from work a short time later and he said he often sees him, though won't be surprised when one day he doesn't.
Less than 30 seconds later in the distance I saw 2 little red lights oscillating up and down on the opposite side of the road. No idea what they were. It was only as I got really close to passing him that I realised it was another cyclist! No headlight, no reflective clothing, (in fact he was wearing dark attire!),nothing except these two little red lights which were attached to the toes of his footwear!!!!
Looking at him in my mirror after going past and I couldn't see him at all! No rear lights or anything. I mentioned it to one of the cyclists from work a short time later and he said he often sees him, though won't be surprised when one day he doesn't.
The shear arrogance of the 'licra clad loony brigade' that cycle around where I live at weekends gets to me.
Yes some of the roads, especially Box Hill, were part of the Olympic route but they ride in groups of 15-20 two, three and occasionally four abreast as though they own the whole road or are competing in a race. This is on minor B roads that have no verge or pavement.
You often come across them at junctions four or more bunched together consulting a map right in the middle of the junction and if you toot them to let them know your coming you just get glared at and have to go onto the wrong side of the junction just to get around them!!!!
They pull up on blind bends on hills forcing vehicle coming up behind them to cross into oncoming traffic whilst they stand around chatting and having a drink and when going up Box Hill will ride out in the middle of the road deliberately stopping you going past so they can feel like Sir Bradley competing in the Olympics.
Its nice to have a hobby but interfering with other peoples days out is really beyond the pale!!
And like JBR says if any one of them were to be involved in an accident you can bet they will believe its not their fault.
Yes some of the roads, especially Box Hill, were part of the Olympic route but they ride in groups of 15-20 two, three and occasionally four abreast as though they own the whole road or are competing in a race. This is on minor B roads that have no verge or pavement.
You often come across them at junctions four or more bunched together consulting a map right in the middle of the junction and if you toot them to let them know your coming you just get glared at and have to go onto the wrong side of the junction just to get around them!!!!
They pull up on blind bends on hills forcing vehicle coming up behind them to cross into oncoming traffic whilst they stand around chatting and having a drink and when going up Box Hill will ride out in the middle of the road deliberately stopping you going past so they can feel like Sir Bradley competing in the Olympics.
Its nice to have a hobby but interfering with other peoples days out is really beyond the pale!!
And like JBR says if any one of them were to be involved in an accident you can bet they will believe its not their fault.
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Maybe there is something about You Tube that I am not understanding here, but when I click on the link, You Tube displays a screen with the message 'This Video is Private'
Clearly everyone else can view it so what am I doing wrong ????
Clearly everyone else can view it so what am I doing wrong ????
L
longdogs
Try this link instead
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-24364332
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-24364332
- Joined
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Yes, I accept your points. I did say a proportionate amount, though, and because their 'damage' to the roads is minimal, their road tax would be a good deal less than that for a car. Mind you, I don't see my car causing much damage to the roads.
Of course, my proposal for road tax for cyclists would go hand in hand with a number plate for identification purposes. Considering the fact that cyclists cause as much hassle as motorists, if not more, I think this is a necessary thing.
I know that the government want to encourage cyclists, as opposed to motorists (which many local councils seem to detest), but I don't think a small amount of road tax would discourage them. After all, they don't pay for petrol or insurance, they're getting free exercise and they don't have to follow the rules of the road (apparently) so I think they'd still find it sufficiently attractive.
Given that cyclists can be the cause of a road accident just as easily as anyone else why don't they have to have insurance?
B
Big Tone
Because they, more often than not, come off worse. It'd be like a bug getting insurance against a collision wih a car window screen.
There must be many an incident where a vehicle has swerved to miss an errant cyclist and hit another vehicle, causing damage or injury, or worse.
Why don't cyclists have to carry insurance to mitigate for this like the rest of us.
Why don't cyclists have to carry insurance to mitigate for this like the rest of us.
Ban cyclists until legislation is in place to give them any kind of right to be on the road in the first place.
Where's the testing for rider competency (licence). None.
Where's the testing for vehicle roadworthiness (brakes, bald b*stard tyres). None.
Where's the vehicle identification incase of nob-end causing an accident and f*cking off. None.
Where's the insurance. None.
Road tax. None.
Sense. None.
Heads like jellies. Ban 'em.
Where's the testing for rider competency (licence). None.
Where's the testing for vehicle roadworthiness (brakes, bald b*stard tyres). None.
Where's the vehicle identification incase of nob-end causing an accident and f*cking off. None.
Where's the insurance. None.
Road tax. None.
Sense. None.
Heads like jellies. Ban 'em.
