RE: Politician Wants License Plates -- For Bikes�

RE: Politician Wants License Plates -- For Bikes� (Full Version)

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willbeurdaddy -> RE: Politician Wants License Plates -- For Bikes� (1/15/2011 9:45:56 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: allthatjaz I cycle all the time and it costs me nothing more than a drop of oil and a puncture repair kit. Fortunately where I am, we have loads of cycle paths and when I do have to go on the road most cars and especially trucks drivers are very considerate. Occasionally I get the odd prick like TH who hold a deep resentment towards us healthy nonpolluting cyclists and you just have to shake your head as they pull out without seeing you, try to overtake you on a blind spot or pull over nearer the curb in slow going traffic so you can't get past. I have no qualms about banging on the car roofs of thoughtless and inconsiderate drivers. Would I pay for plates? Absolutely not. We should be encouraging cyclists and not trying to deter them. I dont disagree with any of this. The real issue is who paid for building those bike paths, and should all or some of that cost be borne by those who actually use them, or is there a societal benefit that means taxpayers should bear the entire cost.

PyrotheClown -> RE: Politician Wants License Plates -- For Bikes� (1/15/2011 9:53:15 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: willbeurdaddy The real issue is who paid for building those bike paths, and should all or some of that cost be borne by those who actually use them, or is there a societal benefit that means taxpayers should bear the entire cost. You think Registration fees pay for all the CHP,Emergency responders,Roads,Bridges,Freeway overpasses,ect?

allthatjaz -> RE: Politician Wants License Plates -- For Bikes� (1/15/2011 10:05:33 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: willbeurdaddy I dont disagree with any of this. The real issue is who paid for building those bike paths, and should all or some of that cost be borne by those who actually use them, or is there a societal benefit that means taxpayers should bear the entire cost. The majority of cycle paths in the UK are built and paid for by the developers of the housing that the cycle paths run through and of course there is massive benefit to society. With a fitter population, fewer cars on the road causing less pollution and less congestion. That on its own should be enough. If cycle paths weren't available then cyclists would use the roads but most councils in the UK realize the dangers and therefore make provisions with no costs to themselves or the taxpayer.

anthrosub -> RE: Politician Wants License Plates -- For Bikes� (1/15/2011 10:20:29 AM)
Unfortunately there are many people who drive motorized vehicles who believe the roads were put there just for them and that they are doing cyclists a favor by tolerating their presence. There are also a lot of cyclists who think the same way and ride accordingly. There have been some attempts by experienced cyclists to educate both parties to know better. Cyclists need to ride on the roads in a way that communicates to motorists that cyclists have as much right to be there as everyone else. Hugging the edge of the road is in practice good for safety and consideration but it also enforces the misconception. As to licensing bicycles...I think if you were to drill down into the motivations behind the proposal it would reveal a means to generate tax dollars. In the past it was more about coming up with ways to educate kids on bicycle safety and to deter theft. I live just outside DC. The city has been aggressively promoting the use of bicycles to reduce congestion downtown. Recently a bike share operation was set up and many of the streets now have dedicatd bicycle lanes (which is still being expanded). But whenever you read a newspaper article on the topic with comments from business owners and commuters, you get the same attitude about bikes not belonging on the roads. They usually say something like, "They should be riding on the sidewalks where they belong." I have three bikes (road, touring, and recumbent) and deal with this issue all the time. Where it's practical to stay off the road...I do. If the road is simply too busy with cars and there are no sidewalks or bike paths, I take an alternate route. Better to be safe than dead or severely injured.

allthatjaz -> RE: Politician Wants License Plates -- For Bikes� (1/15/2011 10:55:50 AM)
Waves to the fellow cyclist, anthrosub [;)] I think your laws are very different to ours in the UK. In the UK it is illegal to cycle on footpaths (sidewalks) unless they are a well signposted shared path. From the age of 10 years old you can be fined between £30 to £500 for cycling along a sidewalk. People still do and the law is seldom upheld because the police have better things to do and if they see a cyclist biking safely and sensibly they tend to turn a blind eye. I have been in transition groups to try and encourage more people to ride their bikes and leave their 4x4's in their driveways. It astounds me that people will jump in their cars to drive to the local shop for a pint of milk. I love Holland where everyone rides bikes. Everyone is slim surprise, surprise!

TheHeretic -> RE: Politician Wants License Plates -- For Bikes� (1/15/2011 11:07:59 AM)
quote: You think Registration fees pay for all the CHP,Emergency responders,Roads,Bridges,Freeway overpasses,ect? I think some of it is supposed to come from the 18 cents a gallon we pay in CA gas taxes, Pyro. Of course, those in Sacramento do what they do when the money hits the pot. I can appreciate the Darwinian forces at work among those who choose to bike in traffic, or on the twisty and scenic roads, but the cyclists aren't operating in a vacuum. Now most of the cyclists out my way are ex-cons and/or homeless. I can't imagine any good to come of putting further hassles on them. Then we have the recreational riders, who come to the desert on the weekends, so they can get bitten by rattlesnakes, wipe out badly on sandstrewn corners, create a nuisance to navigation, and usually have no idea of which stop signs you really need to stop for. I think at least a token fee might be appropriate there.

anthrosub -> RE: Politician Wants License Plates -- For Bikes� (1/15/2011 11:09:38 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: allthatjaz Waves to the fellow cyclist, anthrosub [;)] I think your laws are very different to ours in the UK. In the UK it is illegal to cycle on footpaths (sidewalks) unless they are a well signposted shared path. From the age of 10 years old you can be fined between £30 to £500 for cycling along a sidewalk. People still do and the law is seldom upheld because the police have better things to do and if they see a cyclist biking safely and sensibly they tend to turn a blind eye. I have been in transition groups to try and encourage more people to ride their bikes and leave their 4x4's in their driveways. It astounds me that people will jump in their cars to drive to the local shop for a pint of milk. I love Holland where everyone rides bikes. Everyone is slim surprise, surprise! Waves back. Yes it all comes down to common sense in the long run. There are restrictions here about cyclists riding on sidewalks but generally there is no need to enforce it because of similar reasons that you stated. Even the bike paths are not the sole domain of cyclists and there are signs stating that pedestrians have the right of way at all times. You also have to consider people jogging, roller-blading, walking their dog (always a great source of adventure), and people pushing strollers.

Hippiekinkster -> RE: Politician Wants License Plates -- For Bikes� (1/15/2011 11:22:22 AM)
Germany has bike paths built into the sidewalks in many places, denoted by red pavers. Woe to the poor pedestrian who trespasses onto the bikers territory. I couldn't figure out why people were yelling at me until my "landlady" in Munich made me aware of the situation. I think that that is a brilliant solution.

MrRodgers -> RE: Politician Wants License Plates -- For Bikes� (1/15/2011 12:56:14 PM)
News ? I had to get a license plate for my bicycle. What does that tell you ? With that displayed right below the seat...you had a arrived babydolls, you were kool.

pahunkboy -> RE: Politician Wants License Plates -- For Bikes� (1/15/2011 5:08:57 PM)
Update- the bill has been pulled.

Termyn8or -> RE: Politician Wants License Plates -- For Bikes� (1/15/2011 5:15:21 PM)
Plates or not, if I got a motorcycle I would not ride it on the streets because of asshole drivers. I would get a dirt bike and have fun with it. I don't cycle for the same reasons, but in spades. T

pahunkboy -> RE: Politician Wants License Plates -- For Bikes� (1/15/2011 5:17:15 PM)
BACKPEDAL: Politician Pulls Proposal For License Plates On Bikes�

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