Blog: Give cyclists a bit of respect
Thursday 7th April 2011, 7:31AM BST.
Blog: Cyclists, it seems that we’re a bit like Marmite: you either love us or hate us, notes Liam Thomas.
Since the weather’s improved I’ve started to cycle in to college in Shrewsbury every day. It’s an all-round benefit, saving money, getting fitter, and helping the environment… It’s a win, win, win situation!
But the thing is, my Marmite theory.
I’ve found the two main types of driver. The first type are the ones who like cyclists, overtaking wide, not cutting me up, and waving as they pass me after I’ve pulled in. And then there’s the second type, those that think cyclists are the scum of the earth, overtake STUPIDLY close, and start waving their hands because I’m cycling along and not going at 60 miles an hour like they want me to.
Just this morning I had a lorry overtake me and almost knock me off my bike. If I’d not slammed my brakes on I would currently be lying in A&E.
This attitude towards cyclists needs to change.
Surely we should be treated with the same amount of respect as any other road user, if not a bit more as we’re helping the environment by cycling.
And while I’m on the point of bikes, all this kerfuffle about the new central reservation on Smithfield Road. I think the uproar is completely un-justified. It’s a brilliant thing to have. It slows the traffic down a bit so it’s safer for cyclists and pedestrians to cross. And it means that when I’m cycling along I can stay clear of the road and stick to the shared routes. I use it regularly.
All the complaints about it being unsafe are because people drive along in their own little world, ignoring the signs and road markings telling you to go to the left lane. Then they suddenly see it and can’t stop in time as they are going too fast.
Also I see people driving fast in the middle lane to try and nip in front before the reservation. These people are just risking their lives as well as other people’s.
And as for the complaints of people not using it; it is used, but it’s just that you get across as fast as possible as you’re expecting someone to not be paying attention and crash into it.
So all you non cyclists, please stop grumbling about the reservation. But most of all please show a little respect to cyclists.
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Perhaps cyclists should return that respect to motorists? The main road I join to travel to work has a cycle path and nearly every day as I approach the junction a cyclist whizzes past in front of me, it is a blind junction and I cannot see the cyclist until it is on top of me, cyclists do not seem to think they should give way and approach at speed. Indeed earlier this week a cyclist went into the side of a car by following this practise. The cyclist was taken away by ambulance and I sincerely hope he was not too badly injured – doubtless the car driver will be blamed!
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Nothing like a good bit of generalisation to get in the way of a valid point!
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There are good cyclists and bad cyclists, good drivers and bad drivers. Personally, bad cyclists wind me up… these are a very small hardcore of “militant” cyclists who have a very belligerant attitude to all road users (and pedestrians) and take every opportunity to assert aggressively – and often irresponsibly – their equal right to road use, irrespective of whether or not it’s detrimental to their own safety and the safety of others.
I recognise that’s a tiny minority. Unfortunately they play right into the hands of bad drivers (and there are more bad drivers than bad cyclists, in numbers anyway), who then tar all cyclists with the same brush and regard every single one of them with contempt, making life on the road hard for them.
Thankfully, the majority of cyclists and drivers are polite, reasonable people who are grown up enough to coexist happily and peacefully!
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Sorry but he who pays the piper calls the tune. I pay several thousands of pounds a year in a number of ways to keep and use my vehicles on the road and I reckon that give me priority over cyclists, who pay nothing. I do not advocate driving in such a way to endanger cyclists but they should not expect precedence over the bloke in or on the motor vehicle, whose taxes and duty payments are, after all, what’s providing the cyclist with a road to ride on.
Speaking of which I see many cyclists (a) without lights or reflectors; (b) without any safety gear at all and (c) using roads when there is a special lane for them on the adjacent roadside (and guess who’s paid for this?)
As soon as cyclists have compulsory insurance and a legal requirement to wear safety equipment, as I do on either of my motor cycles, then they can argue for a higher level of priority. Until that time, as the old saying goes, they s**k on the l**t t*t (my asterisks).
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Completely wrong as always. Where does the money for road repairs come from? With the exception of motorways Council tax payers. Here are some FACTS:
You pay a licence to own a vehicle based on emissions. Electric vehicles, which also use the roads emit no pollution, same as cyclists so exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty.
Road Tax hasn’t existed since 1936.
Cyclists have a RIGHT to be on the road, cycle lanes are not compulsory and are often poorly maintained and usually give priority to the road user meaning frequent stops. That is why they are unpopular.
Riding on pavements is illegal, so guess where cyclists should be when there is no cycle lane available? On the road, which is where they should be anyway as the Cycling Tourist Club has vigorously campaigned against segregation for many years and won legal cases to assert the rights of cyclists to be on the road.
Bikes were invented before the motor car so why should they be treated as second class compared to the ‘new kid on the block’?
There are good drivers and bad drivers, good cyclists and bad ones. All it takes is a little forethought and consideration on both sides. Someone going to work on a bike is usually one less car on the road meaning less traffic jams.
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Hi
What about the cyclists who also own cars or motorcycles (therefore paying road tax, fuel duty etc) and cycle for pleasure?
Also cycle lanes often have cars parked in them and are therefore un-useable. The highway code does state the the use of cycle lanes is optional and only advised at low speed.
Food for thought?
Thanks
Jon
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Visitor name: Julie
Ridiculous argument. I pay 2 lots of road tax for my cars, but cycle the shorter journeys because it’s healthier for me and the environment. I also pay a monthly subscription to Sustrans for the maintenance of cycle ways, many of which are incorporated with the main roads. Therefore I am actually paying MORE for the privilege of cycling on the road. There are a small minority of drivers who detest cyclists and have no ounce of regard for them ~ I have been almost taken out on several occasions on my route to work by these ignorant drivers. As an aside, a lot of the offenders are, coincidentally, overweight. Perhaps if they spent more time on a bike………….
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“But most of all please show a little respect to cyclists.”
Every morning and night I walk over Greyfriars bridge – every morning and night I am nearly mown down by a cyclist riding over it despite the clear no cycling signs.
The same happens on Castlegates with cyclists riding on the pavement and even down the road against the flow of traffic. If I drove like that I’d soon be prosecuted so why should cyclists be different?
I’ll show respect when I’m afforded some myself.
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Andy, I wholeheartly agree. I suffer the same fate from cyclists every day. They have no regard for pedestrains and seem oblivious to the highway code. Bring in a compulsory cycle test and get the police to enforce the law instead of turning a blind eye to these morons that cycle on pavements.
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This morning at 7.40am I was walking down Castlegates and a cyclist rode down the road going at pretty fair pace,ipod on of course, in the middle of the road!
I do drive and if I’d been driving up Castlegates a collision would have been inevitable and I’m pretty sure who would be held responsible.
It’s about time these lycra clad louts shut up and obeyed the Highway Code as everyone else has to.
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what about the guy cycling down Castlegates at 7.40am this morning in the middle of the road????
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No comments showing as I type this, though I am sure you will get plenty.
I cycle and I drive. Some drivers need to be more considerate to cyclists. Some cyclists need to be more considerate to drivers.
I have been almost knocked off my bike countless times. I have seen countless cyclists ignoring red lights and generally causing chaos on the roads.
Cuts both ways.
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Julian,
Couldn’t agree more. I cycle and drive. I do wish many car drivers would pass allowing the amount of room dictated in the highway code – but at the same time I’m baffled by the number of cyclists who choose to increase the risk to themselves by choosing the road where there is a perfectly adequate cycle path.
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Good piece of writing, couldn’t agree more with you.
Unfortunately I’m waiting to see just how long before Peter Petrolhead from Angry Srteet takes to rsspond.
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Your blog is very one sided !
Yesterday a cyclist cut me up very badly on Smithfield Road,then again on Chester Street. This is a very common occurrence with cyclists not bothering to look behind them or indicate that they intend to change lanes or turn.
I respect cyclists giving them adequate space but this should be reciprocal giving us the chance to avoid killing or maiming them
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For those drivers who consider it a good idea to drive as closely as possible. Perhaps it is worth remembering that a cyclist is protected by what you see. They aren’t in a metal box. If you hit them. Then that is it, they’re severely injured and that is if they’re lucky.
It does not take much time to wait until it is safe to pass a cyclist. I know this because I drive. I have a car. I pay car tax. But at the same time I ride a bike because I enjoy it. So really is driving as close as possible, or being delayed slightly worth a life? I think not.
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It is not safe to use cycle paths when travelling at 20mph+. They are not provided with the intention that all cyclists use them.
I just echo the comments that some more mutual respect / tolerance / acceptance would go a long way. I’m a driver and cyclist. I know cyclists are difficult to see. Cyclists need to be aware of that, and be aware that only human beings are behind the wheels of cars. Human beings are fallible. Mistakes will always be made. Same with cyclists. Problem is the price is sometimes very high. There is no solution that will prevent daily issues occurring on the roads. Building awareness on both sides is probably the most constructive measure in terms of reducing the frequency. Agressive and emotive observations on either side just fan the flames.
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Why would you want to cycle at more than 20mph unless you’re in a race? If you’re in that much of a hurry to get from A to B – why not use a car?
Otherwise, enjoy your bike, don’t ride at reckless speed, and where the infrastructure allows, keep it separate from cars.
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There are a lot of fair comments here. As a often-pedestrian, very often-driver and never-cyclist I accept that my view is not as un-biased as some but here it is.
Most cyclists are not a problem. A minority are – they do not obey road rules (ie: skipping red lights, using the path only when it is advantageous for them, not signalling well, if at all, and cutting through traffic dangerously.)
As to the respect idea, I think best to treat those as you would face to face. This goes for all road users, cyclists and pedestrians. Cyclists are not the angels this article would have you believe but it is all relative. Some people are just unreasonable, most are not.
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The vast majority of cyclists are also car and or motorcycle owner and as a consequence pay road tax, insurance and all of the relevent payments to the government. They tend to ride for the health and fitness benefits as well as the pleasure and as such have an absolute right to be treated with respect by other road users.
As one or two posts have stated there are good and bad in both groups and unfortunately people always notice and remember poor behaviour as oppossed to good. My concern as a car, motorcycle and bicycle rider is the degree of anger often shown in these incidents. We live in a great county and a town which is a designated cycle town see http://www.cycleshrewsbury.co.uk and I would advise all the angry drivers to get out on a bike and chill out a bit, learn to embrace what we have under our noses a little more. Maybe then we will have a little more mutuual respect.
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Cyclists you take your chances on the road just like everyone else, if you do not like it why not use the cycle paths that have been lovingly provided for your safety instead of cycling alongside them on a 60 mile per hour road
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Because it is horses for courses. Councils provide them in the name of ‘Elf and Safety’. They are fine for nervous cyclists who are trying to get away from the minority of inconsiderate drivers. They are specifically not recommended for more serious cyclists, trying to get places at over 18mph. In the winter they aren’t gritted like roads so at low temperatures you would be daft to use them. In the autumn they are covered in slippery leaves and undergrown by branches. In the warmer months they are strewn with glass. They hamper progress with gates and often go where you don’t want to. Simple enough?
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I’m not a ‘nervous’ cyclist, and I use cycle paths regularly. At the same time, I don’t feel the need to race around at reckless speeds on a bike – and I find the cycle paths pretty adequate in most places.
Admittedly, they get covered in snow and ice at the worst of the winter – but so do the roads.
I think that too many ‘aggressive’ cyclists insist on using the roads to make some sort of silly macho point – why not just slow down a bit, enjoy the fresh air and greatly increase your chances of getting to your destination safely?
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I dont mind cyclists when they ride there bikes properly, ie if the road has been narrowed to build a cycle lane then use it or its not my fault if you get knocked off.
Or if there is no cycle lane available thats fine but there is no need to cycle 3ft away from the curb nearly in the middle of the lane..
Why is always (roadies) road (racing) bikes that ride their bikes in a dangerous fashion they seem to think they own the road riding upto 3 a birth and then moan when there is a acident!!!!
However on the flip side there are some shocking drivers out there who should not be allowed to drive until they have had a spacial awaerness test..
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Please read the highway code Nick. In fact I wish all road users would.
And don’t make comments about fault if you were to knock someone off – you knocked them off, it is your fault, irrelevant of where they are.
As for riding 3ft out, there are many reasons where this may be necessary, such as pot holes, drains, width of the bike. Code 213 also refers.
Whilst I think the wording of code 163 is slightly ambiguous regarding giving same room as you would a car (In a car I give a car about 1 ft as that is all two lanes affords you), I think the picture speaks for itself – give vulnerable road users a wide berth – 3ft, 2 abreast etc.. won’t be an issue.
I agree with you on 3 a breast – Code 66 specifically refers to not riding more than 2. Also, if its a busy road, they should possibly be single file. But, are they riding 3 abreast, or is the third man riding behind the 2 abreast one’s, so from behind it looks like they are 3 abreast?
Better education for ALL road users should improve safety for all, but if having to pass a driving test still allows the most incompetent motor vehicle drivers/riders to be on the roads what hope is there!
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Not exactly true is it
“Please read the highway code Nick. In fact I wish all road users would.
And don’t make comments about fault if you were to knock someone off – you knocked them off, it is your fault, irrelevant of where they are”.
If a cyclist is knocked off due to the way they are cycling or a motorcyclists or walker then it will be their fault if it was not then the driver will be prosecuted under the law.We have had a number of case recently with regards cyclist being killed , motorcyclists , and pedestrians who have been found that there actions caused them to come in collision with a car .
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You will not believe the amount of times I’ve nearly been hit by cyclists, and I walk everywhere. They need to show respect to pedestrians before they start moaning about people not showing them respect.
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I always give due respect to cyclists after all my car can do a lot of damage to them and vice versa. I just wish the isolated few would take notice of the traffic signals and one-way streets,the law applies to them too as was promised by a Shrewsbury town centre police officer who announced it to a fanfare in the media last year, probably in the hope of getting noticed by the heirarchy. As per normal all show and no go.
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As always this is another Shrewsbury thread!
However, For those of us that live ‘Outside the “Loop”‘!!
Whilst agreeing that cyclist do have a right to be on the road why do the ‘hard core’ types think it funny to ride 2 or 3 abreast and slow cars down to a walking pace? live and let live – if you want to ride on roads where cars have the right to travel at 60 mph accept it and stay in single file there is room for us all
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Please keep off our pavements, cyclists!
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Take to the paths its the only safe place to ride, otherwise you won’t be writing this editorial for long.
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Well when these idiots show a little consideration to other road users . A few weeks ago 2 idiots were cycling through Ford 2 abreast after leaving the ford area and on to the straight heading for Shrewsbury they had a caused a tail back of around 13 cars at the front of the Que was a caravan mmm however if the cyclists had been cycling along the road properly single file and not swaying all over the the road as they cycled erratically as if they were getting some type of electrical shock the caravan passed eventually as he did the one cyclist then starts waving his arm all the cars slow ahh idiot is turning right no back to erratic cycling so a car passes again out comes idiots arm pointing left again all cars slow waiting for idiot to turn right naaaa now I am aware he was point to tell drivers to over take not so close but he is giving the hand signal to turn right total moron they continued and then turned off for montford bridge and hopefully got a puncture , Idiot arrogant cyclists such as these need to be prosecuted .
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Some simple maths for you. Lets say you have to slow down and wait to pass a cyclist. Chances are this cyclist will be riding somewhere between 15 and 20mph. Taking the worst case of 15mph, assuming you are stuck behind for a full minute (extremely unlikely), you will only be 3 minutes further back down the road than if you’d carried on at 60mph. Is time really that tight that this is un-acceptable? On an average 60mph road, the most action you would normally need to take is to slow slightly to time your overtaking to co-incide with a break in traffic, losing only a few seconds. Tractors are far less covenient to pass safely due to visibility seeing past them. They go a similar speed, but do people call for them to be prosecuted?
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The highway code states that cyclists are allowed to ride two abreast and given the often dangerous manor in which some motorists overtake cyclists I would say it is probably safer to ride that way. Maybe you shouldn’t be in such a hurry all the time, if 10mph is ok for cyclists why can’t it be for you.
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Now THAT was a very long sentence.
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I would also add these two were continually over taking each other and I assume are the road racer types may I ask why car users are not allowed to use the highway as a race track and swerve all over the lane they are in.
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Did they have numbers on their backs? If they did they would have been racing, which they are legally entitled to do as all cycle races get written police permission.
As posted earlier, it is a two way street and there are good drivers and bad drivers, good and bad cyclists out there. If you come up behind most club cyclists they could well be cycling two abreast, as the Highway Code states they are legally entitled to do. However most good club cyclists will single out when safe to do so to make it easier for cars to get by at an appropriately safe place. Many will wave the car through too.
I wouldn’t tar all drivers with the same brush, don’t make the mistake of doing the same for all cyclists either. What it does point to however are the inadequacies of the current driving test – it’s only in the advanced one that you truly get to appreciated the needs of more vulnerable road users…
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The reason I have no respect for cyclists Liam is because most of them have total disregard of safety, the highway code, pedestrians and traffic signals.
I have to stop at traffic lights but you lot just ride up onto the pavement and expect pedestrians to move for you. One way streets clearly don’t matter to cyclists, either way will do for them regardless of the traffic coming towards them. I can be stopped and prosecuted if my mode of transport has defective lights, tyres etc. you don’t.
One final thing you all need to learn, THE PAVEMENT IS FOR PEDESTRIANS. I deliberately block the path for cyclists who expect me to move when I am on foot. Don’t whinge about motorists, show us some respect too !
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Liam, your article/blog is a good one and your plea quite fair. There are safe, sensible, considerate car drivers (like me) who also ride a push-bike and motorbike – I understand how vulnerable cyclists are. A cyclist is highly unlikely to kill someone on the road directly – a car driver far more likely – quite simple.
One point though should also be remembered, there are too many cyclists who continue to endanger the public by using pavements rather than the road – you should also mention this, at least in passing, to balance your blog.
stay safe Liam, I’ll drive safely for sure.
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The usual comments from drivers I see. I love how the fact they saw a cyclist go through a red light means that they endanger the life of every cyclist they see thereafter?
A little perspective here people! Remember that if a car comes into cyclist there is every chance that a death may occur, is it all worth it?
As a keen cyclist (7000 miles a year+) I experience highly dangerous driving every time I go out training. I have been attacked, items thrown at me, the usual insults hurled at me and deliberate attempts to force me off the road. All this and the morons who pass an inch off my elbow at 60 mph. But all this must be perfectly acceptable if a cyclist rode on the pavement according to some of the idiots on here!
I am also a driving instructor so I also experience the moronic attitude to learner drivers every day, some of the things I see from “experienced” motorists are truely frightening! And it is getting worse every year.
The real issue here is everyone is in such a rush and to hell with ANYONE who holds them up by a few seconds.I am absolutely convinced that if motorists were to experience the realities of cycling in this country it would shock them into changing there attitudes.
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I’m both a car driver, and cyclist. It speaks volumes that when I go on a bike ride, it’s fairly rare that I’ll get home without having had an incident where someone has passed too close, or pulled out in front of me from a side road and caused me to take evasive action for their bad driving. In contrast, I could count on 1 hand the number of times I’ve witnessed any dangerous riding from a cyclist on the road. The simple reason is what each party has to lose. If a car mis-judges and pulls in front of a cyclist causing a collision, they get a slight dent in their bodywork. If the cyclist cuts out in front of a car, chances are they will lose significantly more.
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Specifically at #6
I’m a fully paid up petrolhead. Our household currently has four cars (just for myself and the good lady wife) ranging – in engine capacity – from 1.8 to 3.6 litres. Some are daily drivers, others weekend toys that do less that 1,000 miles per year.
But whatever I personally am driving – whether its the Jag or the MX-5 – a cyclist is just another hazard that demands adjustment of my driving technique, and asks questions of driving observation.
I like encountering cyclists on a journey.
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And I like drivers like you, who bring a smile to my face when I see nice cars like yours drive by when I am on my bicycle.
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I cycle regularly. In fact since being made redundant it is my main transport. Proper cycle lanes, not cordoned off pieces of pavement or road would help and it would be good if the Council would spend money connecting cyclepaths together rather than using grant money to replace bits that are already there e.g Whitchurch Road Battlefield Island instead of repairing Telford Way 4 times. It would also help if the Council swept the cycle paths for broken glass and other debris. It would help if Ipod wearing pedestrians don’t use the cylcle paths as pavements (they can’t hear a bell). I agree that cyclists who don’t use backroads and designated paths are idiots but it was a Shropshire cyclist who won the court case where he was fined for using the road and not the cycle path. Oh, and Chavs on BMX’s are fair game.
Drivers, treat overtaking a cyclist as if you are overtaking a horse and rider. It might stop the 5 near misses a day I sustain.
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“it’s only in the advanced one that you truly get to appreciated the needs of more vulnerable road users2…
As one police officer told me permitting joe blogs to take an advanced driving test just helps them to drive like a lunatic and think they are safe to do so.
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Rubbish. Part of what it shows you is observation of changing road conditions and what is around you and adapting to them, actually looking for hazards coming out of side roads, petrol stations etc but most importantly what is ahead. I can see a cyclist a good half mile away and adjust in time because I’m not just staring at the bonnet or the rear of the car in front itching to get past – and because I am looking out for them. It also teaches you something about respecting vulnerable road users too, which maybe you would find worthwhile…
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You need to stop listening to that police officer, he clearly does not know what he’s talking about. A major part of advanced driving is observation, which helps ALL road users. You should research it a little more instead of quoting someone elses massively incorrect opinions.
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Just a comment on car drivers paying for the road. Does anybody still think all the money we pay for tax discs, tax on insurance, duty on road fuel, vat on duty, vat on fuel, parking tax, vat on parking tax etc. think this goes on our road network?
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Some shockingly arrogant comments on here, almost 100% from drivers against cyclists.
It really shows just how overdue a compulsory driving re-test every 3 years is. Attitudes of a significant % of drivers would have to change very quickly to remain on the road
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How about all the cyclists sit cycling tests every 3 years too?
That way most of them will actually learn how to cycle safely and not be a danger to themselves and other members of the public with their selfish and dangerous manouvers?
I cycle as well as drive and you can find the same amount of idiots on 2 and 4 wheels so I suggest you get off your high “cyclists are perfect” horse!
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I think there is a distinction to be drawn between cyclists and ‘people who ride bikes’. The majority of real cyclists are responsible and have invested a lot of money in their equipment. They ride well maintained bikes with lights, the coulours they wear may be ‘lurid’ but they make themsleves visible to others.
The majority of them are also motorists who pay road tax and they are also pay most other forms of tax the government imposes.
Then there are ‘people who ride bikes’, they are the ones who ride in dark clothing on unsafe bikes with no lights and with no regard for themselves or others. They are usually heading to or from work and appear unaware of the potential dangers they face.
As an after thought if priority should based on the ‘road tax paid’, then surely Lories should get priority over all other users, with vans and big ‘gas guzzlers’ next followed by small cars, then motor cyclists and last of all cyclists and pedestirans.
The posters above who use ‘tax paid’ as a reason for priority should remember this next time they cross the road. In their world motorists would be ‘entitled’ to run them over as they would have no right to be on the road!!
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I don’t agree with your very ‘black and white’ distinction. I do not invest a lot of money in my bike, I ride a rusty old thing held together with garden wire and cable ties…but it does the job for the 40 or so miles I do every week taking the kids to school and other short journeys. Despite my lack of ‘professionalism’ though I do wear a helmet, and use lights and a high-vis jacket when it is dark. I obey the highway code am therefore just as safe as the shiny lycra-boys we like to laugh at.
PS. The cyclists already won the tax argument.
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The answer is for the Police to strictly enforce the law of the land. Stop cycling on pavements, obey one way streets, use lights.
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Perhaps our good goverment could tax cyclists (of course excluding bankers that cycle) for use of the road like they do the rest of us.
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What are you talking about? Haven’t you read any of the above. Cyclists are taxed for road use just like every other tax payer….
telfordfan’s reply to #3 above;
“Where does the money for road repairs come from? With the exception of motorways Council tax payers. Here are some FACTS:
You pay a licence to own a vehicle based on emissions. Electric vehicles, which also use the roads emit no pollution, same as cyclists so exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty.
Road Tax hasn’t existed since 1936.”
All tax payers, whether they drive, ride or walk pay for road upkeep, car drivers do not pay more than anyone else for use of the road.
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On a serious note, it is becoming plainly obvious that some cyclists seem to enjoy provoking and engaging road rage attacks. I drive, cycle and predominately walk. In the past six years I have been struck four times by arrogant cyclists riding on pavements. They then hurl vile abuse as they peddle away. Some of the selfish vemon on this page enforces that they seem to be putting thenselves above the law – they pay no heed to anyone but themselves. Again, instate a mandatory cycle test that teaches not bumping up the pavement at a red light, the use of correct lighting etc.
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Well let us see who pays road tax
car driver
motorbike rider
tractor driver
lorry driver
van driver
The excuse a cyclist pays road tax for his/her cycle through the fact he drives a car and so pays road tax is rubbish , if you have 2 or more vehicles or different types of vehicles we do not get a discount on road tax do we .
Cyclist use the road so cycles should be road taxed.
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No one pays road tax – as said above “Road Tax hasn’t existed since 1936.”
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actually if you read any of the previous comments or even bothered to try and understand the tax system in this country you will find that road tax doesn’t exist. So let us see who pays road tax… um… no one does.
You may pay vehicle excise duty but that is general tax.
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Why let facts get on the way of ignorance of the tax system eh? If you bother to read the link below you will discover that many, many vehicles are exempt for Vehicle Excise Duty, including those that emit no pollution, those registered before 1973, and many Government vehicles to name a few. You will also learn that what you pay does not go towards roads but is just another general tax. Under your argument only Council tax payers should use the roads – I’d certainly get a clearer route for my bike ride on that basis… http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_Excise_Duty
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