Should cyclists pay road tax?

[eddie1968]

What I object to are cyclists using designated public footpaths in our rural area, especially a narrow path alongside our river where we and many others walk our dogs. The bikes don't seem to be fitted with bells, or if they are they aren't used. They come up silently behind us and shout out "excuse me" or some such thing. This un-nerves the dog, and I have no idea they are there until I hear them shout, when it is too late to just stand aside. Many a time I have had to use all my balancing facilities to avoid falling in the river. Do they stop to allow you to stand aside? Do they heck. Same with joggers. These aren't isolated incidents, they happen all the time. Very annoying.

By law bikes should have a bell and common sense prevails you slow down when approaching anybody or pets etc

 

[Bluetit1802]

By law bikes should have a bell and common sense prevails you slow down when approaching anybody or pets etc

Maybe they should have registration plates so people can report bad behaviour.

 

[eddie1968]

Maybe the crazy couriers who clog up the inner cities should be insured and have plates but no more, further licence plates means more Big Brother watching you, sick of this CCTV, surveillance society and no free speech etc, we are becoming less free and I want my liberties back.

 

[eddie1968]

What I object to are cyclists using designated public footpaths in our rural area, especially a narrow path alongside our river where we and many others walk our dogs. The bikes don't seem to be fitted with bells, or if they are they aren't used. They come up silently behind us and shout out "excuse me" or some such thing. This un-nerves the dog, and I have no idea they are there until I hear them shout, when it is too late to just stand aside. Many a time I have had to use all my balancing facilities to avoid falling in the river. Do they stop to allow you to stand aside? Do they heck. Same with joggers. These aren't isolated incidents, they happen all the time. Very annoying.

I use the cycle way next to me Loch Lomond to Glasgow but there are rules posted, it is for pedestrians too so no Lance Armstrong stuff and I cycle and walk it a lot and most of the time the cyclists here are great, ding ding or shout and slow down. It is not a race track, it is for all except motor vehicles.

 

[rowan]

Probably because they don't do any damage to the road!

They still use the road.

 

[Fallgal]

By law bikes should have a bell and common sense prevails you slow down when approaching anybody or pets etc

Every. single. time I approached people, I got OFF my bike and walked it beside them. I realize this might be extremely inconvenient if the cyclist is constantly approaching people, or where time is of the essence (like couriers), but for my rides of leisure and transport to local shops, it worked well. Nobody was nervous that they might be plowed into or driven off the path and I wasn't afraid that someone might suddenly walk right in front of me. I even got a few smiles and "thank yous".

Courteous people will be kind no matter what type of transport they are using (including their feet). Arrogant, obnoxious people will be rude no matter what their type of transport!

 

[JTL]

Is this URL something from the NSA ? lol looks like some hidden code there Jack

Not that I'm aware of but nothing would surprise me.
Just a link to a Google page of Amsterdam images ....


Search Results

 

[Fallgal]

WOW, those pics are amazing!

 

[JTL]

 

[JTL]

WOW, those pics are amazing!

More at the link
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=a...ved=0CCoQyjc&ei=QTjbVObhFJDkavb7gJAP#imgdii=_

 

[JTL]

[URL='http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://blog.hostelbookers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Amsterdam-bike-train.jpg&imgrefurl=http://blog.hostelbookers.com/travel/cycle-friendly-cities/&h=425&w=640&tbnid=XmB6RQonDLAjsM:&zoom=1&docid=DfWOPJmuV2ZMAM&ei=VEPbVMzuI5PLaJWWgvgC&tbm=isch&ved=0CDsQMygUMBQ'][/URL]


[URL='http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=https://sdate.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/amsterdam_bikes_kids.jpg&imgrefurl=https://sdate.wordpress.com/2011/04/16/amsterdam-sodom-or-eden/&h=914&w=1280&tbnid=Gw9xCreYd7qrJM:&zoom=1&docid=rm1N3Cf97kkrBM&ei=VEPbVMzuI5PLaJWWgvgC&tbm=isch&ved=0CFsQMyg0MDQ'][URL='http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://bikehugger.com/images/blog/dc_bike_valet.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.bikehugger.com/post/view/amsterdam-on-the-potomac&h=319&w=489&tbnid=azaqYE-EYVvuiM:&zoom=1&docid=9dM3cTqgN-_O7M&ei=VEPbVMzuI5PLaJWWgvgC&tbm=isch&ved=0CGQQMyg9MD0'][/URL][/URL]

 

[JTL]

 

[JTL]

 

[Fallgal]

hmm.... can't say I'm a fan of their children riding in a basket!

 

[rowan]

However, there ought to be some level of cycling proficiency and registration scheme for adult cyclists and those who are guiding kids, as there are an awful lot of very bad cyclists out there.

Excellent idea.

 

[JTL]

hmm.... can't say I'm a fan of their children riding in a basket!

There are scooters and motorbikes with boxes full of kids on the front too.
Last time I was there a scooter passed me with what I presume was dad driving mum on the back and four year old stood between dads legs.
Normal in the city centre.
The most laid back safest feeling city I've ever been in.

 

[Bluetit1802]

LOL you should see what they do in India! Several kids, mum and dad, all on motor scooters, no helmets either!

 

[Fallgal]

LOL you should see what they do in India! Several kids, mum and dad, all on motor scooters, no helmets either!

Oh I know; I've seen pictures. It always makes me cringe!

 

[CollieBoy]

Contrary to popular belief, it isn't a road tax, it's a vehicle emissions tax and cyclists do not produce any emissions. .

You ought to meet old "Windy" Miller from round my way, Could fart for England

 

[Bluetit1802]

Oh I know; I've seen pictures. It always makes me cringe!

and they share the dusty roads with cars, elephants, stray dogs, cows, pedestrians, no road markings, no highway code rules, driving on whichever side of the road they fancy at the time!