What cyclists have to put up with..

[spindrift]

Cyclists usually being wealthier, pay more tax in any case:

 

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article2500754.ece

[kermit103]

Don't agree with cycle tax

I find it strange that cyclists don't bother to get road training first and at least read the highway code. How can it be safe where a 13 year old can ride on the road with other traffic with a bike that can reach upto 30 mph.

[splodgeyAl]

When did they introduce Cycle tax then?

 

Do you get a discount for missing the point so regularly? Or are you saving up for some reading lessons?

[spindrift]

The more cyclists there are on the roads, the safer the roads become:

 

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080903112034.htm

[Tony]

Great driving tuition

[spindrift]

Cycling has many positive externalities including:

 

Less Pollution. Bikes don’t pollute, cars and buses do. Given the importance of global warming and rise in respiratory disease, cleaner air is a significant benefit to the rest of society, More people cycling means cleaner air for all.

Less congestion. If more people cycled, there would be less pressure on road and parking space, especially in city centres.

Cyclists are moving traffic calming measures. Councils find traffic calming measures significantly reduce accidents. They reduce speed and make motorists think. When a motorist approaches a cyclist it forces them to get out of cruise control mode and (in theory) think of a careful way to pass them. In theory this should lead to safer roads.

Cyclists don’t damage the road. Roads need repairing frequently because they soon get worn down. However, the roads are not worn down by 10kg bicycles, but 2 tonne + lorries. Therefore, it is not cyclists who should pay the external cost of road repair. Lorries not only create the cost but also create the time and inconvenience of road works. This is a major external cost and is a reason why HGV should pay higher road tax. If heavy goods vehicles paid the true social cost, it would encourage more freight to be transported by rail not road. Society would benefit from a more efficient transport system.

Cycling Reduces Cost of NHS. Obesity and lack of physical exercise creates strain on the resources of the National Health Service. By keeping fit, cyclist are less of a burden on government spending.

 

 

Read more: http://cyclinginfo.co.uk/blog/cycling/cyclists-pay-road-tax/#ixzz0oZSgTYXd

[BasilRathbon]

Just a pity that he has not come across the word saddlebag yet.

 

Hardly surprising, seeing as prior to being elected his nanny carried him everywhere.

[spindrift]

It's all kicking off with emails flooding into BBC Look East about their disgraceful, dishonest journalists!

[Becky B]

Isn't it just! Honestly there seem to be no end of idiots lining up to contribute to a thread that had they read in full, would stop them being the next one to make some idiotic comment about road tax, insurance, MOTs, licensing (i mean FFS, where does it end?)

 

And just when you think you've made a well reasoned and intelligent argument trying your best to slowly explain to these narrow minded people why their points are deeply flawed, up pops the next candidate to make an utter fool of themselves.

 

When did they introduce Cycle tax then?

 

Q.E.D. !

 

Nice, balanced journalism from the BBC on that clip, wasn't it

[Mrs H Solo]

Or maybe because

it makes you right. And doesn't make you look like an arrogant thick idiot at all. (language warning)

 

Apparently.

 

 

 

Do you lot drive like you post?

 

Round and round in ever-decreasing circles with no idea where you are trying to go?

 

No wonder the traffic is so bad.

 

But to answer your curiosity, a tax on bicycles was introduced in 1973, at the time the one-off charge was charged at 10% of the net value of the bicycle. The rate currently stands at 17.5% although looks to increase in the relatively near future.

 

God you are boring!