I think if you had to go through the rigmarole of paperwork and pay insurance
you'd have a hell of a lot more respect for bike-riding.

But as for encouraging people to ride bikes - not from me - I don't care how you get to work - I'm certainly not one of those "environment" poseurs, I just think that however you do get to work, you should obey the rules of the road.

I don't charge the barriers on the tube because I'm going a shorter distance than others. I don't expect cyclists to expect to be able to break the laws because they don't like some of them.
( Je suis un vagabond is an unfunny, up your own arse middle class knob, Wed 4 Aug 2010, 14:28, 1 reply)

Hmm
Does paying Vehicle Excise Duty stop boy racers from driving their souped up Corsas in an antisocial fashion?

I'm not an environment poseur either - I pay over the odds for a bike frame manufactured in Taiwan and shipped halfway round the world, that I've maintained and built up in my own time and at considerable expense. Plus I love cycling too.

You won't see me jumping red lights or cycling on the pavement.
(Bicycle Repairman "you're also a bit of a wanker", Wed 4 Aug 2010, 14:32, closed)

No obviously it won't completely stop twats being twats.
But I'm sure a bit of regulation, legal enforcement, and personal and financial accountability would stop couriers being so, and likewise the vast majority of cyclists.
( Je suis un vagabond is an unfunny, up your own arse middle class knob, Wed 4 Aug 2010, 14:35, closed)

Then perhaps better enforcement of on the spot fines at traffic lights would achieve the same ends, no?

(Bicycle Repairman "you're also a bit of a wanker", Wed 4 Aug 2010, 14:35, closed)

And taxes. I think the taxes would make bike ownership, distribution and acceptance
far more respected - like that of a car. Owning a stolen car anywhere beyond Chavland is not cool or acceptable, and those who own and use cars are expected and respected for using and respecting the rules of the road.
( Je suis un vagabond is an unfunny, up your own arse middle class knob, Wed 4 Aug 2010, 14:42, closed)

I assume you're a driver?
Has Vehicle Excise Duty disuaded you from speeding?

As a cyclist I can give plenty of examples of bad driving where drivers have failed to uphold the rules of the road, despite obviously paying a levy to use it.

[edit]

Taxes are already levied on the distribution and sale of bicycles, in the forms of import duty and VAT.
(Bicycle Repairman "you're also a bit of a wanker", Wed 4 Aug 2010, 14:50, closed)

I'm not a driver, no.
But I won't object to paying my dues and respecting the rules of the road if/when I become one if/when I move out of Mordor.

Taxes are already levied on imported cars.
( Je suis un vagabond is an unfunny, up your own arse middle class knob, Wed 4 Aug 2010, 14:54, closed)