Cyclist should they pay road tax

[Ray Scully]

Given the plethora of cyclists these days and their propensity to block up our country lanes. Should they pay road tax?

Ray

[barney]

No Ray

Nobody should pay road tax (the 'road tax' doesn't actually go towards the roads)

There is enough tax on fuel to sort the roads out.

It's such a nice little earner that no government would ever give it up.

[qbman1]

Given the plethora of cyclists these days and their propensity to block up our country lanes. Should they pay road tax?

Ray

They drive me to distraction, too, Ray.

I've also got it in for these massive agricultural vehicles, most of whom pay no tax and not only clog up the roads at peak times but cause untold damage to the roads themselves. I think they should be restricted to using public road only outside peak times unless they pay an appropriate amount of tax

Now.....about caravans !!!!

[Stephen]

Given the plethora of cyclists these days and their propensity to block up our country lanes. Should they pay road tax?

Ray

Don't get me started on cyclists...well all right

I don't know about blocking up country lanes, get them off the pavements first. Shoot them on sight.

[Quizzical Bob]

You can have too many plethoras.

[qbman1]

Maybe we should tax them too ?!

[Silver_Shiney]

We need some form of identification, so we can report the riders for their inconsiderate/illegal riding practices. Maybe paying a road tax to fund a licence plate or something would be a step in the right direction.

[oldbluefox]

Not only some form of identification but also insurance. If they run into you what insurance cover might they have? Similarly with young children playing on their bikes on the roads with no road sense whatsoever.
Unfortunately we now live in an age where any problems on the road are attributed to the motorist. I agree motorists should be wary of cyclists but cyclists should also show some responsibility for their own safety. Most are fine but you get the odd 'clown' who thinks it's fine to act like a lunatic and it's two fingers to the rest. How they manage to survive is beyond me but not all motorists are so forgiving.
And don't get me on to cycle races on the roads. They're a case of head down and no awareness of anybody else on the road in order to post a good time. They're all over everywhere and a total menace.

[Silver_Shiney]

I thought it was "one finger to the rest"....

[Happydays]

I agree with Stephen!! & Alan's posts

I think they're a blooming pest where ever they are, road or pavement! even when you go for a quiet walk in the woods they whizz past unexpectedly nearly causing me to have a heart attack, you get the occasional one who is considerate and either calls out or rings a bell (that's a rare item!)to make you aware they are coming, but on the whole ban them all!! I don't care if it's supposed to be good exercise and have no manners for others.....

[Mervyn and Trish]

I certainly think third party insurance and training should be obligatory for cyclists but how would you enforce it? And they should clamp down on cycling on pavements, riding without lights at night and other infringements. When I was a kid you'd get the birch for riding on the path and be send to borstal for 200 years for no lights.

These days no one gives a fig and, as has been said, if there's an accident it's assumed it's the motorists fault.

An acquaintance of mine sadly knocked down and killed a cyclist on a dark country lane at night. He was driving within the speed limit. The cyclist had no lights and was dressed in dark clothes.

He (the motorist) was completely exonerated from blame, but only after serious quizzing by the police who started by assuming guilt, and he still has to live with the knowledge that he killed someone.

[Onelife]

Having read all the previous posts I can only think the opinions expressed must be referring to places like London, if they're not then I must be driving around with my eyes shut because I rarely seen inconsiderate cyclists. I actually don't see many cyclists on the roads theses days anyway, this is mostly due to inconsiderate drivers.... you're always going to get the odd nutter on a bike but a few inconsiderate cyclists shouldn't tar the rest of them who for the most ride their bikes with due care and attention...well they do round here.

No I wouldn't like to see bikes taxed, however, I wouldn't put it past this despicable government doing so.

[qbman1]

Come to Oxford - that will open your eyes !!

[Mervyn and Trish]

I certainly wouldn't tar all cyclists with the same brush. However, my example was in Cornwall and I've seen plenty of it in Staffordshire too. London may have more than most places, but it certainly doesn't have a monopoly on idiots on bikes.

[Stephen]

Having read all the previous posts I can only think the opinions expressed must be referring to places like London, if they're not then I must be driving around with my eyes shut because I rarely seen inconsiderate cyclists.I actually don't see many cyclists on the roads theses days anyway, this is mostly due to inconsiderate drivers.... you're always going to get the odd nutter on a bike but a few inconsiderate cyclists shouldn't tar the rest of them who for the most ride their bikes with due care and attention...well they do round here.

No I wouldn't like to see bikes taxed, however, I wouldn't put it past this despicable government doing so.

Of course you don't. They're all on the bl**dy pavement causing havoc.

[Manoverboard]

If they are blocking up ' your ' Country lanes, Ray, then put up a notice stating that they are trespassing ... if on the other hand the lanes belong to the County Council then mind your own business and let them be.

ps ... I dare say that anybody who rides a bike in the Liverpool environs only does so because they daren't get off the bloody thing in case somebody pinches it.

[Stephen]

Get off it Moby. They only have to stop at the lights (ha ha) and the wheels are gone.

[Frank Manning]

Good topic! Almost as good as smoking, sunbed hogging, and tattoos for getting things going!

I have a bike, but dont ride it very often because it is so dangerous on the roads. I do see some cyclists doing stupid things and it is because they are so vulnerable that they are a concern. Equally there are some lunatic car, lorry, bus, train, plane, and ship drivers out there.

Oh to hell with it I'm staying in doors!

[RB1961]

There are inconsiderate motorists.
There are inconsiderate cyclists.
They could be the same people.

I'm a cyclist and I ride on the road. I pay car tax. If I'm on my bike it means I'm not in my car.
This year I did more miles on my bike than in my car.

Love the lycra

RB

[Big Bob]

But RB do you obey the Highway Code by which I mean stop at lights, go the right way down one way streets and do not undertake on the inside? If you do you are just about the only one in the UK AND I TAKE MY HAT OFF TO YOU.

[gfwgfw]

No of course not, what ever next

Road Tax . . .joggers, baby buggies, walking stick users, the less able with their hi-tec wannabees, dog/ferret walkers

Lubbooo all

Graham

[RB1961]

Big Bob.

Yes I do..and I assume it's a big hat!

RB

[gfwgfw]

Big Bob.

Yes I do..and I assume it's a big hat!

RB

What ?

[Manoverboard]

Does anybody know what is(are) the Highway Code ruling(s) regarding ' Lycra ' ?

Is it ... keep to the left, perchance

[Princess]

Try living in an area where they regularly hold cycling events on the roads and narrow lanes. It is horrendous.