Cotedazure cyclists should "stay on their side of the road" - that would be the left in England, the same as for cars. Where you are, it would be the rhs of the road.
I looked up the latest available stats - want to know how many people were killed by cyclists in 2009? Zero. That's right, none. There is simply no comparison to the danger created by driving a quarter ton or more car often at high speeds, to riding a bicycle usually well below 20mph. Why do some people not get the distinction?
How can it bother anyone whether or not a cyclist wears a helmet? The only person who might come out of that badly is the cyclist (and there is convincing evidence that you are LESS likely to have an accident without a helmet as car drivers actually realise more clearly that you are vulnerable and treat you with the respect they forget to accord when you are wearing a helmet, as if it would help you if your head went under a wheel.....).
Now talk to me about the motorists I see EVERY DAY on their mobile phones (including HGV drivers) and I would join you in blood boiling anger.
Vehicle tax: it should be abolished and the tax on petrol increased instead to keep Government revenue neutral, and then fewer car drivers would mistake a pollution tax for a payment to drive as if they own the road. The sense of selfish entitlement to the roads by some drivers is staggering - who knew there were so many incredibly thick people on MN (sorry to get judgey, I am not usually, but it simply amazes me, and calling them thick seems generous because the alternative is to brand them evil with their cavalier attitudes towards hurting/killing human beings more vulnerable than themselves).
I am so sorry for all those who themselves or whose family have been hurt by drivers :-( Somehow, I am not quite as concerned by Bubblecoral's DH's car being slightly scratched - even though that is a shame, it's not exactly the same league.