Two weeks ago, my local rag printed an anti-cycling letter. I read it in the morning before cycling to work, fuming at its content and devising an equally virulent reply.
By the time I got home I had calmed down sufficiently to send a measured reply. I didn't expect any response.
Tonight, my letter has been printed as the Star Letter! Its been fairly heavily edited, but my main point (the reply to our old friend "you don't pay road tax") is there in full! Two other replies are also there and they cover some of my points that have been omitted.
I'm feeling very smug. Oh, and apparently I get a free pen too.....
Jan
Feeling a bit pleased with myself...
this is the original letter
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Cyclists must obey rules of the road
Comment
MORE and more people for green reasons, fitness or due to the Congestion Charge are riding bicycles.
I know this is good for our environment and I know some cyclists follow the rules of the road, but they are in the minority.
To drive my car on the road I need road tax, insurance and an MOT, and to have taken a driving test.
But to ride a bicycle on the road I need to buy or borrow one.
I do not need to know the Highway Code as I won't be fined for driving through red traffic lights, zig-zagging my way through traffic or driving in bus lanes and on pavements.
And if I should hit your car and scratch the side of it, don't worry, I have no insurance. But your car insurance will cover it for you -pity about the loss of your no claims though.
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I don't have to wear any protective clothing, including a helmet.
All bicycle riders should pass a proficiency test, which includes general maintenance.
When they have passed the test, the bicycle should be stamped with an ID number which will be entered on the pass certificate and sent to the DVLA with a registration fee.
In return, they will be given a registration document with number plate information, so they can then have a number plate fixed to the bicycle.
All new bicycles should be sold with a registration document, ID number and number plate.
Cyclists should also pay road tax and insurance and have the bicycle tested yearly.
They must be made to wear a helmet and follow the Highway Code.
I am not a moaning car driver. I have ridden bicycles and motorbikes on the road, so I have seen it from all sides.
Christine Andrews
Address supplied
10:03am Wednesday 7th May 2008
and my reply
Janet Pullan
You published a lengthy letter from a Ms Andrews today concerning cycling, and I hope I will be permitted an equally lengthy reply.
Ms Andrews appears to take the stance that cyclists should be subject to all the regulations and financial restrictions that apply to motorists. I don't intend to go through them point by point but some require a response.
Ms Andrews would like cyclists to pay Vehicle Excise Duty as she, like most people, incorrectly believes that such a payment contributes to road maintenance. In fact VED only goes directly to motorway maintenance and the responsibility for local roads lies with the local council who fund it through a combination of council tax, PAYE and local business rate. So I'm sorry Ms Andrews, cyclists, horse riders and even pedestrians who pay any of these have an equal right to the road as motorists do. In fact, given that my humble bicycle causes far less damage to the road than any car does, should more people cycle instead of driving, the roads would need repairing less often, and instead of berating cyclists Ms Andrews should be applauding us for saving her money! I'd happily pay VED as I'd be charged the same as all zero emission vehicles - ie nothing.
Ms Andrews is very concerned that should I hit the side of her car she'd have to pay the bill for the scratches. I'm afraid I probably wouldn't get too concerned about this as should she get so close to me that I hit her, I'd be in a hospital bed or worse. As a cyclist I'm acutely aware of other road users and in any confrontation I would always come off worse. I never cut motorists up, deliberately ride slowly in front of them (the last thing I need is an impatient motorist behind me) or try to inconvenience them in any way. I'm sorry if Ms Andrews is sometimes held up for 10 seconds while I ride along a narrow road, but believe me, I'm going as fast as I can.
As regards registration, number plates etc, I assume its because Ms Andrews would like to identify me should I commit a transgression. Lets get this in perspective. I get as irritated as the next driver (yes, like most cyclists I'm a car driver too) when a cyclist runs a red light. No, its not the majority Ms Andrews - you just notice the ones who do. I'm not for one second justifying this, and its not something I ever do myself, but a cyclist shooting a red light is unlikely to be putting anyone apart from themselves at risk. The same cannot be said for drivers on mobile phones, eating their breakfast, or turning right round in a moving vehicle to talk to their children in the back seat. Yes, I've seen all of those this week. Obviously, Ms Andrews is just as enthusiastic in reporting them to the police.
I've never taken a test, but like most cyclists thought long and hard about whether I considered myself competent to be on the road - its just too dangerous an endeavour to undertake lightly. Passing a driving test is no indication of good driving either. As regards maintenance, I check my bicycle brakes and tyres every day - I depend on them - my car's tyres and brakes are tested once a year.
I have to say I find the vast majority of road users to be considerate, careful and tolerant - I include bus, taxi and white van drivers in this comment. When I can, I try to respond with a nod of appreciation or a smile. At the end of the day , we are all entitled to use the road in which ever way fits our circumstances and far from trying to drive cyclists of the road with unnecessary layers of bureaucracy, Ms Andrews should appreciate that we're entitled to be there too. I'm very sorry if it inconveniences her in any way.
Finally, cycling is cheap, fun, and a wonderful way to keep fit. It would be lovely if more car drivers were prepared to give it a go!
I couldn't get an online link, but the rag is the "News Shopper - Bromley edition"
The headline was " More cyclists would reduce road maintenance"
Part of the This Is Local London Network
EDITOR'S CHOICE
TOP STORIES
GET OUR NEWS BY E-MAIL
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<<Back to index
Cyclists must obey rules of the road
Comment
MORE and more people for green reasons, fitness or due to the Congestion Charge are riding bicycles.
I know this is good for our environment and I know some cyclists follow the rules of the road, but they are in the minority.
To drive my car on the road I need road tax, insurance and an MOT, and to have taken a driving test.
But to ride a bicycle on the road I need to buy or borrow one.
I do not need to know the Highway Code as I won't be fined for driving through red traffic lights, zig-zagging my way through traffic or driving in bus lanes and on pavements.
And if I should hit your car and scratch the side of it, don't worry, I have no insurance. But your car insurance will cover it for you -pity about the loss of your no claims though.
advertisement
I don't have to wear any protective clothing, including a helmet.
All bicycle riders should pass a proficiency test, which includes general maintenance.
When they have passed the test, the bicycle should be stamped with an ID number which will be entered on the pass certificate and sent to the DVLA with a registration fee.
In return, they will be given a registration document with number plate information, so they can then have a number plate fixed to the bicycle.
All new bicycles should be sold with a registration document, ID number and number plate.
Cyclists should also pay road tax and insurance and have the bicycle tested yearly.
They must be made to wear a helmet and follow the Highway Code.
I am not a moaning car driver. I have ridden bicycles and motorbikes on the road, so I have seen it from all sides.
Christine Andrews
Address supplied
10:03am Wednesday 7th May 2008
and my reply
Janet Pullan
You published a lengthy letter from a Ms Andrews today concerning cycling, and I hope I will be permitted an equally lengthy reply.
Ms Andrews appears to take the stance that cyclists should be subject to all the regulations and financial restrictions that apply to motorists. I don't intend to go through them point by point but some require a response.
Ms Andrews would like cyclists to pay Vehicle Excise Duty as she, like most people, incorrectly believes that such a payment contributes to road maintenance. In fact VED only goes directly to motorway maintenance and the responsibility for local roads lies with the local council who fund it through a combination of council tax, PAYE and local business rate. So I'm sorry Ms Andrews, cyclists, horse riders and even pedestrians who pay any of these have an equal right to the road as motorists do. In fact, given that my humble bicycle causes far less damage to the road than any car does, should more people cycle instead of driving, the roads would need repairing less often, and instead of berating cyclists Ms Andrews should be applauding us for saving her money! I'd happily pay VED as I'd be charged the same as all zero emission vehicles - ie nothing.
Ms Andrews is very concerned that should I hit the side of her car she'd have to pay the bill for the scratches. I'm afraid I probably wouldn't get too concerned about this as should she get so close to me that I hit her, I'd be in a hospital bed or worse. As a cyclist I'm acutely aware of other road users and in any confrontation I would always come off worse. I never cut motorists up, deliberately ride slowly in front of them (the last thing I need is an impatient motorist behind me) or try to inconvenience them in any way. I'm sorry if Ms Andrews is sometimes held up for 10 seconds while I ride along a narrow road, but believe me, I'm going as fast as I can.
As regards registration, number plates etc, I assume its because Ms Andrews would like to identify me should I commit a transgression. Lets get this in perspective. I get as irritated as the next driver (yes, like most cyclists I'm a car driver too) when a cyclist runs a red light. No, its not the majority Ms Andrews - you just notice the ones who do. I'm not for one second justifying this, and its not something I ever do myself, but a cyclist shooting a red light is unlikely to be putting anyone apart from themselves at risk. The same cannot be said for drivers on mobile phones, eating their breakfast, or turning right round in a moving vehicle to talk to their children in the back seat. Yes, I've seen all of those this week. Obviously, Ms Andrews is just as enthusiastic in reporting them to the police.
I've never taken a test, but like most cyclists thought long and hard about whether I considered myself competent to be on the road - its just too dangerous an endeavour to undertake lightly. Passing a driving test is no indication of good driving either. As regards maintenance, I check my bicycle brakes and tyres every day - I depend on them - my car's tyres and brakes are tested once a year.
I have to say I find the vast majority of road users to be considerate, careful and tolerant - I include bus, taxi and white van drivers in this comment. When I can, I try to respond with a nod of appreciation or a smile. At the end of the day , we are all entitled to use the road in which ever way fits our circumstances and far from trying to drive cyclists of the road with unnecessary layers of bureaucracy, Ms Andrews should appreciate that we're entitled to be there too. I'm very sorry if it inconveniences her in any way.
Finally, cycling is cheap, fun, and a wonderful way to keep fit. It would be lovely if more car drivers were prepared to give it a go!
I couldn't get an online link, but the rag is the "News Shopper - Bromley edition"
The headline was " More cyclists would reduce road maintenance"
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hubgearfreak
- Posts: 8212
- Joined: 7 Jan 2007, 4:14pm
Feeling a bit pleased with myself...
Just read it - thanks for typing that out for us - it's a cracker, well done - there's no answer to that.
KEEP CALM AND PEDAL ON -1999 Cresswell Fold-it, 1997 Pashley Tuberider, 1997 Raleigh Special Products Pro-Line M-Trax 300 MTB, 1982 Raleigh Royale, 1951 Robin Hood Sports, 1936 BSA Clubman, 1912 Swift Loop Frame, 2019 Boardman HYB 8.8
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stephenjubb
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