Cyclist should they pay road tax

[Raybosailor]

When British Waterways ran the canals you had to have a permit to cycle on the towpaths, this was in the form of a tag that you fixed to the frame of your bike.

The same idea could be adapted for cycling on the road and could be done at cycle shops, a plastic coated metal band could be crimped onto the frame and the cost would include third party insurance. This could be phased in over a number of years but all new cycles should not be sold without the tag. The tag could have a serial number on it and the same number stamped on the frame and this would act also as a proof of ownership because the tag would be registered to the new owner.

[Happydays]

Ray
Brilliant!You win the mars bar.....

[Silver_Shiney]

When British Waterways ran the canals you had to have a permit to cycle on the towpaths, this was in the form of a tag that you fixed to the frame of your bike.

The same idea could be adapted for cycling on the road and could be done at cycle shops, a plastic coated metal band could be crimped onto the frame and the cost would include third party insurance. This could be phased in over a number of years but all new cycles should not be sold without the tag. The tag could have a serial number on it and the same number stamped on the frame and this would act also as a proof of ownership because the tag would be registered to the new owner.

Nah - too much like commonsense.

[RB1961]

If to own a bike it meant having a "tag" then fine I would have no problem with it.
To use a car you need insurance but how many don't.....your not supposed to use a mobile when driving but people do.

There will be people who play by the rules and them that won't..as with everything.

RB

[Raybosailor]

If to own a bike it meant having a "tag" then fine I would have no problem with it.
To use a car you need insurance but how many don't.....your not supposed to use a mobile when driving but people do.

There will be people who play by the rules and them that won't..as with everything.

RB

With NPR in most traffic police cars they will soon be picked up now.

[Manoverboard]

Many cyclists continue to use the canal paths and will dutifully ring their bell(s) when approaching a pedestrian.

[Boris+]

I would like to see cyclists paying road tax, and having to pass a proficiency test, having insurance and a cycle sort of 'mot' too. Additionally, I get concerned that the lack of mirrors combined with the frequent use of headphones to listen to something other than the environment surrounding contributes to the risk to all. If cyclists are not aware of what is going on around them, then they shouldn't be allowed out on the road/pathways as they are a danger to themselves, other people and their possessions. Going out on a cycle and making a nuisance of yourself at the cost of spoiling enjoyment or safety for others is selfish in the extreme anyway.

By undertaking and passing a test (and cycling accordingly), paying tax, having insurance and mot, and not using headphones whilst cycling is simply taking responsibility for your own actions, and I think that provisions should be put in place to ensure compliance.

Ok, there may be people in vehicles who don't have insurance and who do use a mobile phone - (and that's wrong, I know), but the people in the vehicles are protected by the bodywork of those vehicles. Cyclists simply don't have that sort of protection, and should do everything they can to minimise firstly the risk to themselves, and secondly risks to others.

[Onelife]

I would be the first to admit that l often talk a load of rubbish but some of the comments on this thread leave me thinking most of you aint far behind me ...the fact that many choose to use pedal power instead of jumping into their cars can only be a good thing, not only for the environment but also the congestion on our inner city roads. Em makes a good point about the use of headphones but if there were ever to introduce a bike tax it would be almost imposibble to catch them let alone bring prosecution against them.....but hey if you lot what to create another administrative nightmare you've got the right government to make it happen

[Stephen]

I've no problem with cyclists if the they stick to the road and the highway code, otherwise they deserve all the slating they get.

[Raybosailor]

Some interesting points on this subject and there seems to be a pro and anti cyclist divide with one or two like myself who are motorists and cyclists, I have always had a bike since childhood and consider myself a safe rider. I have had a car since the days of the starting handle and when all the moving parts on a car had grease nipples not electronic sensors.

Mervyn and Boris suggest training for cyclists, I can remember when I passed my cycling proficiency test at school and you used to get a green pennant to proudly clip on your handlebars.

Big Bob you mentioned cyclists undertaking large vehicles, something I would never dare do myself but the design of some cycle tracks often merge the tracks with regular traffic a few yards from junctions and traffic lights, this often puts the cyclist straight into the blind spot of a large lorry or bus.

Princess I live in an area that is often cut off by events as in the Cycling Tour Of Britain which cut us off last week and tomorrow it is the Robin Hood Marathon which will have the same effect, we have to drive over the border into Derbyshire to get round them.

MOB you mention the courteous cyclists like myself who ring their bell to warn pedestrians that they are approaching but there are far more (usually the lycra brigade on their £600-£1000 + bikes) that simply charge through at speed without warning. Why are cycles not sold with a warning system and lights like motors which is a legal requirement.
In the Autumn and Winter when the days are gloomy and there is driving rain or snow it is a legal requirement for motorists to have lights on but a lot of cyclists seem to think it is ok without.

Onelife you say it would be difficult to catch them if they ride a cycle without insurance, well with my idea of a non removeable tag on the bike linked to a national database it would be easy for a police officer to check whether everything is up to date on the cycle and if you ride someone else s bike that is not insured that's your fault.
You mention administrative nightmares, have you ever stopped to think how much the DVLA, Insurance companies and the motor trade are saving by having motor tax, insurance and MOT's all on a digital database ?, not to mention the ease of bringing tax, Mot and insurance dodgers to justice.

There are a lot of unsafe motorists and cyclists on the road but when the two collide it could be a ton of metal verses a persons body weight and a few kilos of bike, Shudder at the thought.

[Onelife]

HI Ray...you make some very valid points but the question posed was whether or not bikes should be taxed. I can't see that a tax, or having insurance imposed on cyclists will make a scrap of difference to how cyclist ride there bikes, furthermore l would much prefer our police to be out there catching real criminals rather than holding detector guns at every street corner waiting to see whether or not cyclists have contributed more money to the government's coffers.


Regards

Keith

[RB1961]

Raybo...there are different types of cyclist. I am part of the "Lycra brigade" and you wouldn't see me on a canal towpath..my bike is not designed for that type of terrain. It's a road bike and that's where it stays.
The bikes that I see on paths around my town are normally the mountain/BMX bike type. Completely different bike. And it annoys me as much as everyone else....Stephen can I borrow your gun.

Anyhow did 60 miles today in glorious Autumn sunshine....fantastic.

RB

[Stephen]

60 miles!!!!! Cough, splutter, wheeeeeeeeeeze