AIBU to think cyclists should pay tax and insurance?

[Pumpernickel10]

I'm probably digging a big hole here but I really feel that cyclists should pay road tax and insurance. This is why...
My SIL had a smash yesterday in her car, caused several thousand pounds worth of damage and had whiplash, this happened cause a cyclist rode through a red light causing her to swerve and hit a tree. The cyclist just carried on riding not knowing the damage he had caused. SIL will now lose 12 years no claims cause of this fucking idiot cyclist. He's got no number plate as they don't have them so there no telling who he is. This just doesn't seem right.
AIBU?

A few years ago I had a cyclist go into the back of my car - he didn't see the traffic slowing down for a pelican crossing and ended up sprawled on the back of my car, much to the bemusement of my daughter and her friend who will sitting in the rear facing seats in the boot at the time. The tailgate was damaged such that it wouldn't lock any more. I was surprisingly calm. The cyclist was about 16 years old. No chance of any payment towards damage to the car coming from his direction. I gave him a tissue for his bloody nose and sent him on his way, telling him to be more carful in future.

Luckily, the work for the replacement tailgate was carried out on my insurance as a "no fault" claim, so didn't affect my no claims bonus. Especially lucky, as the new tailgate probably cost more than the car's worth. The lovely new tailgate now has a big dent in it though, as DH reversed too close to an SUV in a car park just two months later.

If you google Highway Code there is a whole section devoted to cyclists. Such things as "You must not cycle on the pavement", You must obey all traffic signs, You must stop at red lights. Now i see all of these rules broken on a daily basis by cyclists. Now the question is do cyclists not understand that the highway code applies to them or do they just not care? I'm going to qualify that statement by saying that I'm a firm believer in the 80-20 rule. 80% of road users (cyclists, motorists, pedestrians) are fine and considerate but 20% are total dicks, and until cyclists and pedestrians are treated in the same way as motorists for flouting the highway code then nothing much will change. Instead of squabbling, the reliable, considerate and responsible 80% of road users need to get together and lobby for change and enforcement of the law for the 20% who flout it.

Thing is, if you read the code, many road drivers flout the rules on a daily/weekly basis. Take going faster than 70 on a motorway - it's technically illegal (I do it), and how many are actually punished for this? 0.1%? How many drivers talk on their phone (non hands-free)? How many give cyclists as much space as a car?

To be honest, I think most road users ignore the highway code, and do what feels like common sense. The reason I don't jump red lights is not because I'm worried about being punished, I'm worried about being hit by a car going through on green from the other direction.

Id like to see car xrivers had up too. Talking ona mobile, speeding on thw motorway, running red lights etc. We have all seen it but how many tjmes do you see the buggers getting stopped?
If i was a traffic cop id have a field day just within a mile of where i live!

I honestly think this cyclist was an idiot and I mean him and him alone I don't put them all in that category I was just upset for SIL but she's been over today and she's alot better.

The Highway Code is a tricky cove. As has been said so much of it is flouted, but later used on occassion to 'prove a point'. Much like the Bible...

I ride on pavements, and go up one-way streets. Don't jump red lights for consideration of my safety, ditto lights at night. Never had an 'near miss' or anything remotely like it.

Agree it would be a good idea to have a registration plate so at least you could track down the lawbreakers and accident-causers.

Personally I wouldn't worry about charging them road-tax, but TP insurance as a minimum should be required. The same goes for those pavement buggies.

There are people on here who will not admit that any cyclist ever behaves badly, or is dangerous or reckless. Don't worry if they try to pretend that you are cyclist-bashing.

where would you put a reg. plate on a bike? you are all insane.

As I mentioned on the first page, for example Switzerland already has mandatory insurance for bikes. The sticker costs you 5 CHF (£ 3,50) per year and gives you 2 mil CHF 3rd party insurance coerage. Which means that the 3rd, damaged party will actually get the money to cover those damages from the insurance company - whereas suing a private person is often more trouble than it's worth. And if I happen to bike into some fancy Maserati, I won't be in debt for the rest of my life either.

So it is possible and not necessarily that expensive - I'm not complaining.

"PredictableDullard .. you are all insane"

No. We're not.

Decent home/contents insurance has public liability and it will cover any damage you do as a cyclist. I've claimed on mine for just such an incident. Not me BTW - my 14 year-old offspring.

but without a reg plate, the irresponsible cyclist (unless you deny there is one) or street buggy driver, can get away with it, as untraceable.

I don't deny there are iffy cyclists. Why would I?

Some people won't admit it.

So the reg plate wil be useful in tracking them down.

"where would you put a reg. plate on a bike? you are all insane."

Well, you could easily make it compulsory for the cyclist to wear a high vis vest with a personal ID number on it.

I do think they should be insured by law. Contents insurance is all very well if you have it.

I'm not sure how cycles could carry a number plate big enough to be seen if they ride off following an accident.

But I do think cyclists should be insured, because they can and do cause occasional accidents with pedestrians. No-one I know has a child who has been knocked down by a car - I know TWO children who have been knocked down at crossings by cyclists going through red lights. (not saying that bikes are more dangerous than cars).

I don't have a problem with it.

I have a problem with being treated like a 2nd class citizen when on a bike because I supposedly have no insurance/ don't pay vehicle tax/don't know or follow the highway code/haven't passed a test. I do all of those things but still get verbally abused and put at risk by random twats who think they own the road.

If I had a reg plate do you seriously think we'd be treated any better?

If someone injured you on a bike you could take them to the small claims court for compensation and sue them for assault the same as you would if you were assaulted with any other object. Insurance is irrelevent.
There is no such thing as "road tax" The roads are paid for out of general taxation so as a tax payer I pay more road tax if I cycle than an unemployed person would in a car.
Most people mean Vehicle excise duty when they talk about "road tax" and as that is based on how polluting your vehicle is it would cost more to administer this tax for bikes than you'd collect.
I agree that cyclists should obey the law but increasing the red tape involved before you can get on your bike will just make us all fatter and lazier.
I visualise cyclist haters as obese smug looking BMW drivers who see having to slow down to overtake safely as a major inconvenience in their lives.

That would be the case rebecca but he rode off so we will never know.

I disagree with more regulations for cyclists as the roads would be far safer and more pleasant if more people cycled and walked. There needs to be more incentive for people to cycle.

I am strongly of the opinion that if you use the road, you should be insured to do so. Yes, we all hear of drivers who drive uninsured, but that's just as wrong. Whether you are on a bike, motorbike or car, I feel you should be insured. I speak as both a cyclist and car driver.

Piglet, Is there anyone on this thread that has stated that no cyclist ever behaves badly? Seems like a bit of a strawman.

Anyway, I think we should almost be paying people to cycle

If a pedestrian had ran across a red light the same thing could have happened and he could have ran off.
Individual mishaps aren't a good reason for legislation for all cyclists.
Everyone taking more care at road junctions would help reduce accidents as that is where cyclists tend to be killed by lorry and car drivers as well as cyclists causing accidents by running red lights.
Cars often chance red lights too by either trying to cross just before or after the lights change.

2rebecca

How many cyclist haters do you think you can see? I can mostly see people who object to bad behaviour, whether it is by an inconsiderate cyclist or anyone else. Are you one of these people who won't admit that jumping red lights, threading through pedestrians on a zebra crossing, and cycling on the pavement are wrong?

Bennifer

there are people who are challenged to admit that cyclists sometimes behave badly, and won't. No straw man there.