Warnie's Bike Incident - the other side of the story

[scoob]

So we going to start taxing 10 year old kids for riding their bikes?

[Dirko]

That said, I don't mind a nominal license fee as Tipper suggested. How you police it is the issue. No point creating a tiny tax revenue just on the principle of it and then needing to use up all the revenue by paying inspectors or policie to monitor compliance with the system.

Where do you stop. I basically ride exclusively on the Linear Trail and other cycle tracks around the coast etc. These are shared by pedestrians. Foot traffic leads to wear and tear too. Should charge those bastards a fee for using the trial also....

[tipper]

i didnt say that, but having an identification of some sort would remove the whole argument that cyclists can get away with doing what they like on the roads. you could even have an exemption that kids dont need one, like they have an exemption that allows kids under a certain age to ride on the footpath, when adults cant. that fix it for you?

[scoob]

i didnt say that, but having an identification of some sort would remove the whole argument that cyclists can get away with doing what they like on the roads. you could even have an exemption that kids dont need one, like they have an exemption that allows kids under a certain age to ride on the footpath, when adults cant. that fix it for you?

So police aren't able to fine cyclist?

[stretch]

What will giving cyclists number plates accomplish? They still need to be seen doing the wrong thing by police anyway and if they are then they are dealt with if they have a plate or not.

As for the 'get off the road' statement. I'd be pretty happy for more people to take up cycling to and from work. Less congestion on the way out of the city.

[tipper]

That said, I don't mind a nominal license fee as Tipper suggested. How you police it is the issue. No point creating a tiny tax revenue just on the principle of it and then needing to use up all the revenue by paying inspectors or policie to monitor compliance with the system.

Where do you stop. I basically ride exclusively on the Linear Trail and other cycle tracks around the coast etc. These are shared by pedestrians. Foot traffic leads to wear and tear too. Should charge those bastards a fee for using the trial also....

bullshit foot traffic causes wear and tear on the tracks, your bike doesnt either, nature does though but how do you charge for that? i could also argue that pedestrians also already pay for the paths through their council rates. same argument that cyclists use for not wanting to register their bikes ("i have x number of cars as well as my bike...")

to be honest i wouldnt expect revenue to be made from it Hondo, the fee would be to solely cover the manufacture and recording of the details. attach the "number plate" to the individual, they can have the same number on all of their bikes (eliminates the "transfer" of ownership like you have to do with cars etc) give the individual half a dozen plates when they sign up so that they can put one on all of their bikes (one lady i work with has even more cycles than that!!)

i also wouldnt expect it to cause any extra expenditure on enforcing. police can already pull over riders for not wearing a helmet (or other road traffic matters) this could be added. the possible fine for not displaying the plate can cover any extra effort on that part, thereby not penalising the riders that do the right thing.

the whole intent of my idea to be honest is to stop some of the "cyclists are bad" arguments. (and the counter "drivers are bad" argument) if drivers and cyclists were all on the same footing (having to display plates and be identifiable) maybe more peope would start to realise that both groups are allowed to share the roads

[tipper]

i didnt say that, but having an identification of some sort would remove the whole argument that cyclists can get away with doing what they like on the roads. you could even have an exemption that kids dont need one, like they have an exemption that allows kids under a certain age to ride on the footpath, when adults cant. that fix it for you?

So police aren't able to fine cyclist?

you are determined to misinterpret what i am writing arent you. i never said that police cant fine cyclists, i said that there was an argument that "cyclists can get away with doing what they like on the roads" i am not making that argument, but it is regularly made when this topic comes up.

[Dirko]

bullshit foot traffic causes wear and tear on the tracks, your bike doesnt either, nature does though but how do you charge for that? i could also argue that pedestrians also already pay for the paths through their council rates. same argument that cyclists use for not wanting to register their bikes ("i have x number of cars as well as my bike...")

And cyclists don't pay council rates

ha ha...

[tipper]

yep they do, so it is an invalid argument, which is why i made it. same reason it is an invalid argument when the topic of cycle registration comes up.

i could also say that i pay rego on one car so i shouldnt have to pay it on my other car (i wish!!)

am i writing in a language other than english today or something? it seems everything i have written is miusunderstood

[Hondo]

That said, I don't mind a nominal license fee as Tipper suggested. How you police it is the issue. No point creating a tiny tax revenue just on the principle of it and then needing to use up all the revenue by paying inspectors or policie to monitor compliance with the system.

Where do you stop. I basically ride exclusively on the Linear Trail and other cycle tracks around the coast etc. These are shared by pedestrians. Foot traffic leads to wear and tear too. Should charge those bastards a fee for using the trial also....

TBH, I think given it would be revenue neutral to the government, a pain in the arse for cyclists and is really only there to appease non-cyclists then I probably wouldn't do it. All I am saying is I can see the sense in the idea if it removes the "freeloader" argument.

[Hondo]

If you use the "because I pay rego to maintain the road I own the road" argument with boats you come up with non-sensical things like:

- what wear and tear do boats do to the water so why pay a boat registration fee?
- because boat owners pay a fee are swimmers the equivalent "freeloaders" to them using "their" water.

These sort of arguments end up in pointless, endless loops.

[tipper]

If you use the "because I pay rego to maintain the road I own the road" argument with boats you come up with non-sensical things like:

- what wear and tear do boats do to the water so why pay a boat registration fee?
- because boat owners pay a fee are swimmers the equivalent "freeloaders" to them using "their" water.

These sort of arguments end up in pointless, endless loops.

Exactly the point I was trying to make. Thanks Hondo, you said it way better than I did. I also agree that my suggestion won't go ahead, I just started by suggesting that I wouldn't be against the idea, and have ended up defending my reasons to those that obviously think I am completely against all cyclists...

[scoob]

i didnt say that, but having an identification of some sort would remove the whole argument that cyclists can get away with doing what they like on the roads. you could even have an exemption that kids dont need one, like they have an exemption that allows kids under a certain age to ride on the footpath, when adults cant. that fix it for you?

So police aren't able to fine cyclist?

you are determined to misinterpret what i am writing arent you. i never said that police cant fine cyclists, i said that there was an argument that "cyclists can get away with doing what they like on the roads" i am not making that argument, but it is regularly made when this topic comes up.

I'm not trying to misinterpret what you are saying - Police can and do pull cyclists over for breaking the law, you have just stated that - so I can't understand why implementing number plates is deemed necessary, as I dont think bikes having a number plate will change drivers/cyclists opinions. I feel the whole freeloading arguement is a bit misinterupted, there are plenty of pedestrian/car accidents and you dont hear calls for pedestrians to be taxed - and car drivers seem to be accomodating to pedestrians when they encounter each other.

[Dutchy]

If you require rego on bikes immediately you will cut the cyclists on the road by half, but then the government has an issue with unfit people clogging up the health system.

The answer is to get more people on bikes, not less.

[helicopterking]

Twice ive had cyclists spit at me. Once was on an open road heading towards Victor Harbour they(12 riders) were spread the whole way across the lane. I sat behind them for 3 or 4 mins then beeped so i could pass. Once i arrived in Victor the same group rode pass myself and my brother, with one spitting at me and another one on my car. totally unprevoked and un-necessary.

The second time was at work, in the truck. He maneuvered to the front of the intersection, once the light went green took off taking up the whole lane. Thinking he might move left after the interesection, he continued on in the middle of the lane for a good 200m. Once again i used my horn, to notify him there was traffic behind. The next set of lights, he layed a massive goober on my passenger side window.
Total Peanuts, bringing the majority down. Asking for altercations

[tipper]

i didnt say that, but having an identification of some sort would remove the whole argument that cyclists can get away with doing what they like on the roads. you could even have an exemption that kids dont need one, like they have an exemption that allows kids under a certain age to ride on the footpath, when adults cant. that fix it for you?

So police aren't able to fine cyclist?

you are determined to misinterpret what i am writing arent you. i never said that police cant fine cyclists, i said that there was an argument that "cyclists can get away with doing what they like on the roads" i am not making that argument, but it is regularly made when this topic comes up.

I'm not trying to misinterpret what you are saying - Police can and do pull cyclists over for breaking the law, you have just stated that - so I can't understand why implementing number plates is deemed necessary, as I dont think bikes having a number plate will change drivers/cyclists opinions. I feel the whole freeloading arguement is a bit misinterupted, there are plenty of pedestrian/car accidents and you dont hear calls for pedestrians to be taxed - and car drivers seem to be accomodating to pedestrians when they encounter each other.

I only suggested it as a means of stopping the freeloading argument, I think that it is an invalid argument (it is completely wrong) but it is brought up each and every time this topic is raised. It would be a completely cynical exercise to shut the "get off my road" types up, and therefore it won't happen.

[Hondo]

When I ride I am more than happy to act like a pedestrian in certain circumstances like when there is no bike lane in a busy stretch of road or when waiting at lights. At the lights I usually wait until all the cars are gone and then go, if I can.

I think some hard core cyclists track their distance/time ratios or PB's and maybe get too hung up on those things instead of avoiding possible altercations. It's a road with cars, not a velodrome.

[Bully]

Simply the are are dickhead cyclists and dickhead drivers

Correct, but the dickhead cyclists forget they have a far greater chance of becoming a statistic, then the dickhead drivers.....

I get more annoyed with Motor Bikes, and Scooter riders. You know the ones. They wear shorts and a tank top, no gloves, maybe thongs too, they ride in between cars clipping the odd rearview mirror too.

riding up the shoulder of a highway or road to dodge waiting in line with the rest of us, get pissed when you move to block them coming up between cars at the lights, give you the finger when you balst your horn at them for THEM doing the wrong thing. They get upset when a policeman stops them for doing the above. tailgating.....flying off at the lights, doing wheelies on the road to show off. Motorbikes are the problem, not cyclists. out of 100 motorcyclists, probably 5 do the correct thing. the other think its all them. I actually pulled up at the lights and said something to one when he drove up the middle of the cars waiting in line, he got upset and said F you and lets go to the police station and work it out!!!.. ummm the story goes, he drove up the middle of cars waiting at the lights.....im not in the wrong champ....YOU ARE!!!

[Jimmy_041]

my opinion of cyclists is that most are sensible but there are a few who believe they have a right on roads (a bit like fat women in Hyundais on the Southern Expressway).

Very simple equation here.

I am in a car
You are on a bike
If we have a bingle
You are going to be more f***ed up than me
Forget your rights and concentrate on your survival

[Jim05]

Not sure about a fee but number plates would be handy. At my old job i spent the majority of the day on the road, with most of my time along Payneham and Lower North East Roads. Lost count of the ammount of times cyclists ran the red light camera at the intersections of Payneham Rd/ Stephens Terrace and Payneham Rd/ Lower Portrush Rd. There needs to be a way to ID these people and distribute fines