The *****wit cyclist thread

[Mushu]

Funny thing is that where I come from, former estern block EU coutry, having a license for operating a push bike is compulsory, and most schools were actively engaging in road code training. I got my cycle license when I was 10 as most of kids did. It prepared us all to become aware and responsible road user. Also upon reaching age of 16, every citizen was issued with an ID card which held your personal details. You were required by law to have it on you ALL the time and failure would end up in arrest. Yes, some might see it as over kill, but for a country with over 40 million people it worked wanders. I do not personally see a problem with licensing ALL road users including cyclists and making carrying a form of ID a legal requirement. It would certainly make popo's job alot easier.

Definatly a solution, but that just seems too easy. And we all know the government and its various departments never go with the smart option anyway, I like the idea of the ID cards they use in some of those countries (with less OTT enforcement perhapse a fine for not carrying the card instead of arrest) and if everyone carries one of these they could double as a licese (including one for cyclists) and perhaps even other functions ie. bankcard, electronic ID, memory card for important info etc etc

[Tigadee]

I think cyclists should be made to ride on the opposite side of the road, toward the traffic.

That's the advice I was told when I was growing up and cycled. Took it to heart and made it this far... Of course, different roads, different culture and different country then...

[nzspokes]

Definatly a solution, but that just seems too easy. And we all know the government and its various departments never go with the smart option anyway, I like the idea of the ID cards they use in some of those countries (with less OTT enforcement perhapse a fine for not carrying the card instead of arrest) and if everyone carries one of these they could double as a licese (including one for cyclists) and perhaps even other functions ie. bankcard, electronic ID, memory card for important info etc etc

Maybe get everybody to have there information added to a bar code then tatoo that on thier wrists........

[oneofsix]

Maybe get everybody to have there information added to a bar code then tatoo that on thier wrists........

They just need to tattoo the identification barcode on your wrist, the information is held in the database.

[Mushu]

That's the advice I was told when I was growing up and cycled. Took it to heart and made it this far...

I heard that you're supposed to walk on the right when walking on country roads, I really don't see why this wouldn't work for cycles and there is an undeniable benefit especially in city traffic.

As far as the increase in closing speed i figure its velocity (speed+mass) that is important so even by changing the speed of the lighter object (cyclist) isn't going to make as big a difference as one may expect and also the cyclist has the ability to see what could be a danger to him and react to it.

Also with more cyclists getting out of the way before they obstruct traffic I think there would be a measureable drop in road rage and a higher consistancy in travel times (for other vehicles).

[oneofsix]

That's the advice I was told when I was growing up and cycled. Took it to heart and made it this far... Of course, different roads, different culture and different country then...

the few times I've encountered a cyclist on the 'wrong' side of the road, peddling towards traffic, it has scared the bgesus out of me. Pedestrians on unlaned roads yes because they get further out of the way.

For any vehicle, including human powered, using the actual road the operator should be licensed.

[5150]

The "civil liberties brigade" may argue a bit though.

What is there to argue about? Aren't bikers civil rights broken by getting singled out for higher ACC levies ? lol

[FJRider]

I heard that you're supposed to walk on the right when walking on country roads, I really don't see why this wouldn't work for cycles and there is an undeniable benefit especially in city traffic.

Because bicycles are vehicles. All vehicles under New Zealand law ... travel on the left hand side of the road ... in their direction of travel.

And if they did as you suggest ... before long there will be some riding 2 abreast on the wrong side on the wrong side of one way streets. (as if they don't now)

[5150]

And if they did as you suggest ... before long there will be some riding 2 abreast on the wrong side on the wrong side of one way streets. (as if they don't now)

And then we would have open season on cyclists. May approaching fast, and my shotgun is shiny and ready for some action

[Zedder]

What is there to argue about? Aren't bikers civil rights broken by getting singled out for higher ACC levies ? lol

Yep, bikers are certainly discriminated against.

The thing is though if cyclists have to get licensed it'll just turn into another income stream for the Government. We're taxed to hell now and are officially the 13th most taxed country in the world.

Who's next? Skate boarders?

[FJRider]

What is there to argue about? Aren't bikers civil rights broken by getting singled out for higher ACC levies ? lol

I know a member of the Civil libertys group ... he was always against the personal ID card (carried by law) idea. Untill a cyclist ran a red light and crashed into his merc'. The cyclist gave "his details" to a police officer ... (bogus details of course) His WoF had expired an Insurance co refused cover (Was a clause in fine print) ... court day came for said cyclist ... and no show by him (supprise supprise)
Now one LESS member of the civil libertys group.

There are some that will always believe their rights are more important ... even to the detriment of everybody elses rights ...

[5150]

Yep, bikers are certainly discriminated against.

The thing is though if cyclists have to get licensed it'll just turn into another income stream for the Government. We're taxed to hell now and are officially the 13th most taxed country in the world.

Who's next? Skate boarders?

But untill more cyclists die and anything changes, then registered road users will get pinged even if the said cyclist was in the wrong, and only beacuse it is easier to prosecute a driver then it is to prosecute a cyclist. At least that is how I understand the current law as it stands

[Mushu]

Yep, bikers are certainly discriminated against.

The thing is though if cyclists have to get licensed it'll just turn into another income stream for the Government. We're taxed to hell now and are officially the 13th most taxed country in the world.

Who's next? Skate boarders?

Yes it would turn to another income stream, about time somebody else pays tax.
Between my 2 cars, my bike and a carrivan all registered to me and all the levies get paid, plus I drive 800 to 1000km a week (and both cars run only BP Ultimate) the bike just gets 95ron. I also smoked untill recently and I'm single with no kids. Honestly I think I have paid enough tax

Conversely my cousins family of 6 has one registered car that only travels as far as school so does maybe 100k a week, given that my bike is triple the cost of the cars and I'm not sure what the carivan cost to register, that means I'm paying 5 times as much to register my vehicles and up to 10 times as much at the pump

Also she has had more accidents than me and 3 of the 4 kids are boys so there are regular hospital trips for various injuries, and she is a stay at home mum so gets some form of benefit

My philosophy is tax everyone according to their history, someone with heaps of crashes should pay more tax, tax restricted drivers a bit higher, tax anyone who goes on the road: skate boards, scooters, mobility scooters, cyclists, cars, bikes, trailers.
that way it would be tax-per-driver rather than paying tax on vehicles parked in garages, and why should I contribute to road user tax when I want to mow my lawn or ride a trail bike.

I really have no idea how some of you guys that have a few bikes pay for it, I have always had trouble keeping my car paid up and thats nowhere near as much as the lowest charge for 1 bike

[Zedder]

But untill more cyclists die and anything changes, then registered road users will get pinged even if the said cyclist was in the wrong, and only beacuse it is easier to prosecute a driver then it is to prosecute a cyclist. At least that is how I understand the current law as it stands

I know in the UK and USA cyclists get arrested and charged for some offences but I'm not up with the NZ situation.

[Zedder]

Yes it would turn to another income stream, about time somebody else pays tax.
Between my 2 cars, my bike and a carrivan all registered to me and all the levies get paid, plus I drive 800 to 1000km a week (and both cars run only BP Ultimate) the bike just gets 95ron. I also smoked untill recently and I'm single with no kids. Honestly I think I have paid enough tax

Conversely my cousins family of 6 has one registered car that only travels as far as school so does maybe 100k a week, given that my bike is triple the cost of the cars and I'm not sure what the carivan cost to register, that means I'm paying 5 times as much to register my vehicles and up to 10 times as much at the pump

Also she has had more accidents than me and 3 of the 4 kids are boys so there are regular hospital trips for various injuries, and she is a stay at home mum so gets some form of benefit

My philosophy is tax everyone according to their history, someone with heaps of crashes should pay more tax, tax restricted drivers a bit higher, tax anyone who goes on the road: skate boards, scooters, mobility scooters, cyclists, cars, bikes, trailers.
that way it would be tax-per-driver rather than paying tax on vehicles parked in garages, and why should I contribute to road user tax when I want to mow my lawn or ride a trail bike.

I really have no idea how some of you guys that have a few bikes pay for it, I have always had trouble keeping my car paid up and thats nowhere near as much as the lowest charge for 1 bike

Don't give the Government ideas man!