Comments on: belfast telegraph: cyclists should pay road taxes

By: Recumbenteer

Recumbenteer — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 12:08:31 +0000

While most motorists are OK, it only takes one maniac to kill a cyclist, and there more than enough idiots out there.

I think we should be pressing for:
a) mandatory custodial sentences and life bans for motorists who kill, with additional custodial sentences for driving whilst banned; driving without insurance; no MoT, vehicle unfit; Driving under the influence.
b) Mandatory and enforced minimum passing distance. i.e. the Highway Code clarified and made mandatory
Rule 163
Overtake only when it is safe and legal to do so. You should ….give motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car (see Rules 211-215)
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_070314
c) A mandatory blanket 20 mph speed-limit in towns
d) An integrated network of cycle paths that are properly surfaced to a high standard [no washboard surfaces], maintained and free of pedestrians
e) Secure parking
f) Presumption of guilt against the motorist – as in Denmark & Holland
g) Tougher prosecution of cyclists who RLJ; ride on the pavement, wrong way; no lights & etc.
h) All on-road cycle lanes to be abolished as dangerous, because they are hazardous to cyclists and encourage dangerous close passing.
The effect of cycle lanes on the proximity between motor traffic and cycle traffic Parkin & Meyers
http://digitalcommons.bolton.ac.uk/ce_journalspr/6/

The Effect of Cycle Lanes on Cyclists’ Road Space – Pete Owens
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/pete.meg/wcc/report/cycle-lanes.pdf

By: John Girvin

John Girvin — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:13:18 +0000

I agree Christine, most motorists aren’t actually out to get you and will happily (more or less) share the road with cyclists. But there are some that find this unthinkable and articles like this one in the Telegraph bring that type out in droves. I think it’s necessary to at least try to educate some of them!

You say you would pay a tax if if gave you more rights, but I’d ask you what extra rights would you like? You already have the right to ride your bike on the public road system and, unlike motorists, it is a right not a privilege that has to be earned by passing a test and maintaining a clean license.

By: Christine Ashworth

Christine Ashworth — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:45:49 +0000

Although a cyclist I do not live in Belfast but in England. I would willingly pay road tax if it gave me more rights. I am 74 years of age and use a cycle to shop as I enjoy it (but not in the rain) and to save petrol and the planet for my grandchildren. I would ask motorists to stick to speed limits, most drive too fast and pass too close. BUT MAINLY I think the majority of motorists don’t want to kill or injure me and are fair.

By: Joby

Joby — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 13:04:24 +0000

Mine was something along the offensive line of “I think you’ve forgot to pay your thicko tax this year”

By: John Girvin

John Girvin — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:21:00 +0000

Feel free to post your response here.

By: Joby

Joby — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 07:41:40 +0000

Gutted, they didn’t print my response :O(

It was a lot more constructive than some of them on there (NOT!)