Custom24 wrote:TripleS wrote:But I still think cycles should be registered and taxed, and cyclists should have insurance, and an identifying number on their backs, so that wrongdoers can be tracked down and suitably punished - like would happen to me if I ever did anything wrong while dawdling about on the roads.
Does the wink icon at the end of that mean you are being sarcastic, or do you really think any of this?
Honest answer: No, I'm not being entirely serious about it, for the moment.
There are various reasons why cycling should be encouraged:
They don't consume finite energy resources.
There would be less atmospheric pollution of our environement.
Noise levels would be reduced.
They occupy less road space.
They do not require such a high quality road surface, not that we have much of that at present!
It would be better for the health of the nation, though not everybody would be able to participate and benefit.
....and I expect there are other reasons, but that's a start.
Having said that, I really would like the cycling community to cut out some of their self-righteous and tiresome behaviour, and stop behaving as if they have some sort of unchallengeable moral high ground relative to mechanically propelled road users. I appreciate that not all cyclists let the side down in this way, but it is clear that some do, whether they are commuters in the hectic conditions of travel in our towns and cities, or recreational cyclists out in the country in groups.
Let's have proper respect and consideration for each other, however we travel, otherwise one could start getting more serious about advocating cracking down on certain groups.
There you go. YMMV.
Best wishes all,
Dave.