Change to overtaking cyclists.

[Barriesimpson]

If you want to…I didn’t suggest that but if you so wish.

Everybody is taxed, that's how we have infrastructures. But road use tax needs to be applied to all who use the roads.

 

[DandJ]

If that’s what you want…….or they could contribute to those who can’t afford to heat their home or older people who need care…..but if you think cyclists will want it for themselves….your choice.

Nah...being facetious as I presumed you were.....

Motorists v cyclists discussions are always hilarious...and always end up with the same end result. Odd on this site really, as so many take cycles with them in their vans.

 

[Guigsy]

Everybody is taxed, that's how we have infrastructures. But road use tax needs to be applied to all who use the roads.

In relation to what? Size? Weight? Miles travelled? Emissions?

 

[Stoosal]

Nah...being facetious as I presumed you were.....

Motorists v cyclists discussions are always hilarious...and always end up with the same end result. Odd on this site really, as so many take cycles with them in their vans.

 

[Guigsy]

No, not a fair comparison at all. If it's 1,5M it's 1,5M for everyone.

Because a hammer is only a few times heavier? You're right, let's make it an anvil...

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[Barriesimpson]

In relation to what? Size? Weight? Miles travelled? Emissions?

Well that's for the authorities to decide.

 

[jumar]

Nah...being facetious as I presumed you were.....

Motorists v cyclists discussions are always hilarious...and always end up with the same end result. Odd on this site really, as so many take cycles with them in their vans.

And many remain there unused...

 

[DandJ]

Everybody is taxed, that's how we have infrastructures. But road use tax needs to be applied to all who use the roads.

In relation to what? Size? Weight? Miles travelled? Emissions?

Well that's for the authorities to decide.

The authorities have decided.....pretty much everywhere on the planet...cyclists don't pay road tax/vehicle excise duty/road fund licence.....

 

[Barriesimpson]

The authorities have decided.....pretty much everywhere on the planet...cyclists don't pay road tax/vehicle excise duty/road fund licence.....

And that, unfortunately, is the problem. Now we have the electric scooters to tend with too.

 

[Googlebot]

All I can say is the changes are very welcome.

I get fed up of trying to ride in the UK, driver privilege over here is terrible! Gave up riding to work after 3 crashes in a week, none my fault and all due to drivers not giving a hoot.

Not to mention the scores I see injured at work some grievously so for a moment of selfishness by drivers who couldn’t wait a few seconds. Families traumatised and bereaved because the driver thought they were being inconvenienced.

Nobody uses the cycle infrastructure I keep hearing, well they never will if you don’t build it and make it safer for them.

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[gpat]

Maybe the solution is in built up areas to reduce the speedimit to one that cyclists can maintain!

You mean like they have in Wales?

 

[StillGoing]

Cycling in Spain is so much more enjoyable than cycling in the UK. Spanish drivers are patient and give you lots of room when overtaking.

 

[The Wino]

And that, unfortunately, is the problem. Now we have the electric scooters to tend with too.

Why is it a problem? If there were no vehicles other than cycles we would need a small fraction of our road network at very little cost with much less pollution. We should be encouraging much more cycling for commuting to reduce traffic pollution etc.

 

[quentinsf]

In the spring I had a wonderful fortnight touring the Netherlands with a e-bike on the back of the van. At every campsite, almost all campervans/motorhomes has a couple of bikes parked outside, and cycling on the well-maintained cycle paths, even in rural areas, into the nearest town was a delight, as, in general, were the bike parking facilities when I got there. Definitely recommended. (I knew Amsterdam fairly well and liked it, but hadn't realised until this trip just how nice most other Dutch towns are too.)

And the Dutch roads weren't just good for cyclists. I drove for two weeks without seeing a single pothole. On returning to the UK, I had to dodge a big one before even getting out of Harwich ferry terminal!

 

[gpat]

On returning to the UK, I had to dodge a big one before even getting out of Harwich ferry terminal!

Oooo matron!

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[Barriesimpson]

Why is it a problem? If there were no vehicles other than cycles we would need a small fraction of our road network at very little cost with much less pollution. We should be encouraging much more cycling for commuting to reduce traffic pollution etc.

We could also go back to living in caves.

 

[swemmy666]

You mean like they have in Wales?

"We also know that in the first nine months since the introduction of 20mph in September 2023, the number of collisions (26%) and casualties (28%) on 20mph and 30mph roads (combined) were down by more than a quarter. "

Roads in Wales were safer this spring compared to last, latest stats show | GOV.WALES

The latest police recorded road collision stats from April – June 2024 show that both collisions (24%) and casualties (24%) on 20mph and 30mph roads (combined) have fallen by almost a quarter compared to the same period of 2023 - the lowest recorded outside of the pandemic.

www.gov.wales

and for some reason you think this is a bad thing?

 

[Gaston aires]

The centre of the lane is the position cyclists are supposed to occupy in the UK. This is known as the "primary" position". Cyclists should move to the secondary position, which from memory, is a meter from the left hand edge of the road only when it is safe to do so to allow a vehicle to safely overtake.

The logic behind all this is motorists tend not to see cyclists riding in the gutter or if they do they just overtake closely without usually checking if anyone is coming in the opposite direction. By riding where they can be more easily seen they force motorists to slow down and overtake as a deliberate manœuvre. In the same way they would overtake a horse.

You can find all this explained in Cyclecraft which is published by HMSO.

The same rules apply to motorcycles.

 

[Neilh]

My old pal Pete has become a real Misthanthrope in his old age ,he hate 99% of humanity but has a spoecial dislike of cyclists , he has a old Discovery and a PA speaker ,, every time he passes a ''sicklist'' he shout out Wabbit !!!!!!! or some other lovely insult .... its really embarrassing hanging out with the dear old soul ...But he is a very old friend since we were kids , he used to be everyones best friend ha ha .

Non road users also contribute to road building and maintenance. Motorists (mainly) pay more tax by way of VED etc. It could look like cyclists want everything but don’t want to contribute more to pay for it and their own dedicated lanes, markings etc. No checks for fitness to safely cycle on roads, no checks for roadworthiness of cycles, no requirement for safety equipment to ensure their own and others safety.
As somebody involved in cycle training for more than 20 years I’m glad I no longer do it.

So am I

 

[The Wino]

We could also go back to living in caves.

Exactly the way I see clinging to old tech with diesel engines!

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[Neilh]

Of course tax can be applied at the instigation of the government to whoever but cyclists really?

Gyms dont really improve fitness in comparison to outdoor activities such as running, cycling etc

Perhaps tax pedestrians too?

Maybe a tax based on body mass index?

 

[Brains]

Everybody is taxed, that's how we have infrastructures. But road use tax needs to be applied to all who use the roads.

Biggest users of roads are pedestrians.
They have tens of thousands of miles of pavement just to walk on!

Therefore I agree with you, every person venturing out of their front gate must wear a 'road tax' licence on their coat, which they have to renew every year for a decent three figure sum.

Obviously this needs to apply to other road users as well such as sheep and deer and an extra charge for prams, wheelchairs and walking support devices such as walking sticks.

 

[enark]

Maybe a tax based on body mass index?

Like it…

 

[gpat]

and for some reason you think this is a bad thing

Do I? It was just a joke. However

I have always agreed that there are areas where 20mph is appropriate. My view has been consistent. In Wales though there are stretches of road where 20mph is not appropriate. Not 24hrs a day anyway.

Here on the Isle of man we have 20mph zones too. However most are time based. School in and out times mostly. No speed cameras though and incredibly low accident rate.

 

[cyberyacht]

It's no longer called road tax as it's not just for repairing and building roads.
It ends up in a universal pot and could be used a number of things ....like supplementing the NHS.

or illegal migrants

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[GeeCee]

Myself and my wife (over 70) cycle about 7 miles most days . We very occasionally are confronted by ignorant motorists but this is quite rare. When we are cycling on narrow lanes wil will actively seek out safe passing places so following motorists can safely ovetake us, why would a cyclist delibrately cycle in the middle of the lane to wind the 2 ton car driver up just because we he's allowed to in the highway code.
We use our commonsense , most people do, why wouldn't you unless you're a moron!

It's not about that. This is about built up areas where the lanes are only one vehicle wide in both directions and their are lines of vehicles in both lanes. If you as a cyclist ride close to the kerb the vehicle behind will be more likely to make an unsafe overtaking manoeuvre. Basically forcing the cyclist into the kerb and off their bike in order for the overtaking vehicle to avoid oncoming traffic. So the safest thing for the cyclist to do is to ride in the centre of the lane to discourage such a manoeuvre. Once it becomes safe for the vehicle behind to overtake, i.e there is a gap in the oncoming traffic, the cyclist should move nearer to the kerb allowing for a safe overtake.

On narrow lanes yes look for a safe passing place. But sometimes there isn't one. So as a courtesy if I could see a build up of traffic behind me, I would pull over to the side of the road, stop and let the traffic past.

No cyclist, or very, very few at least, would want to wind up other drivers. But there are times when it's a case of safety first. And just like motorists pulling caravans or motorhomers driving slowly down mountain passes or bendy country roads, or getting stuck behind a tractor, it can be frustrating for the vehicles behind. But they don't do it to wind up other vehicles.