AIBU to think that cyclists and drivers

[helloclitty]

might be a lot more civil to each other if it was mandatory to pass tests in both cycling and driving if using the road, whether you are a cyclist or vehicle driver.

Of course there would have to be exclusions for people unable to cycle or drive for any reason (a simulator perhaps). However, with the focus on green living and the sheer increase in road traffic on our narrow city roads something has to be done. We cannot divide up the roads there is simply not enough space, we need to be able to share them and understand all road users needs as well as our own.

I think YABabitU - at what point do people have to take a test to cycle? When they get their first trike?

That said, you do have a point - we can't divide up the roads, so we do need to learn to share them. I know I became a much better driver once I started cycling on busy roads, and I'm probably a better (though more assertive) cyclist because I drive. I'd rather see some form of cycling proficiency included in the driving test, tbh, so people are more aware of how exposed you are on a bike and how defensively you have to ride all the time, and still you are exposed to thoughtless driving.

Even those with higher driving qualifications - namely London Bus Drivers - seem to think that cyclists are scum and do what they can to cause them trouble. A few weeks ago I was overtaken by a bus who stopped about 10 feet ahead of me in a bus stop, causing me to take evasive measures, when she could have waited all of five seconds for me to be out of her way. Not impressed.

They should at least know the highway code if they are cycling on a city road surely. Maybe children should not cycle on roads unaccompanied until they do a simulator test in their teens or something?
Just throwing ideas out there.

YABU. Lots of people might not be able to afford to drive / want to drive / be old enough to drive or have some other reason why they are not eligible. Would you stop them from cycling then?

I take your point though that until you have tried both you do not fully understand the other persons point of view. As a student I cycled everywhere and didn't think twice about going up the inside on queues of traffic. Later I became a driver and came to realise that atually there is an awful lot to keep your eye on when you drive and cyclists doing some of the things I used to do are really making it harder. On the occasions since then when I cycled I was much more nervous and cautious because i could see things fron the driver's POV.

and a test does what? Most drivers have passed the test but many still speed, run red lights, road hog plus minor faults. A test shows that on a particular day you followed the rules.
We need more tolerance shown to slower road users and more tolerance to the fact our cities are now hideoulsy congested.

It doesn't have to be a test, maybe all drivers (who can) should have to spend a week in the saddle riding on busy roads and junctions so they get to see it from the other side.
And cyclist should at least know the highway code, many don't.
Of course you will always get some who choose not to care BUT there are many who just don't understand and actually are misinformed on the code of conduct on the road. It is these people with a knowledge gap I'm talking about.
People who think cyclists are meant to cycle only in the gutter for example.

Vehicle drivers who think they have more right on the road because "I pay road tax"!! Wrong!

A lot of cyclists could do with learning what a red light means and that they should slow down and stop at pedestrian crossings. If the 4 or 5 cars in front of them manage it then they clearly have time to stop.

Agreed TotemPole
And sadly in the main these people are part of the don't give a shit group. Bit like drivers who speed, most know they shouldn't.
I am really talking about both drivers and cyclist who have no clue about the others basic needs on the road.

YABU. I'm all for cyclists having to do a test, and have a licence and insurance, but car drivers already do all of that as well as paying road tax and being ripped off for fuel, so I don't think you can expect any more from them.

I do think that cyclists should have to take a test before being allowed to cycle on the road. There do appear to be some who have no idea how to use a road or how to obey road signs.

I don't think motor cyclists should be allowed to ride without having passed a test either, not even those little bikes that sound like wasps.

Outraged

"car drivers already do all of that as well as paying road tax and being ripped off for fuel"

CAR DRIVERS DO NOT PAY ROAD TAX!!!

ipayroadtax.com/

Outraged

Read my post at 17:18

Maybe you need to have a bit more knowledge?

Outraged

Do you not think you would be a more considerate driver if you had to ride a bike for a week in a city?

There's really no need to shout, Bennifer.

Everyone knows what is meant by "road tax".

Not all do, as some seem to think it's a tax that pays for roads

There's already a test. The driving test. It covers people in cars and people on bikes.
Now feck off, learn it. and apply it.

The point is that everyone knows it is a tax paid by motor vehicle users.

Oh yes the old road tax issue - people want to pay a 70 year old tax that was abolished before the last war it is an omissions tax and if you polute then you pay on a sliding scale that is why large 4x4 pays over 200 quid and a small fiat pays a very much smaller amount and why cycles are not required to pay a penny as they don't produce emissions other than the odd fart

FeckArse

Have you ever cycled in a city like London? I have driven in London for 25 years, cycled in London for 15 years (as well as driving) and feel qualified to say that you cannot possibly understand the others needs unless you have actually done both.

I was just countering the point that is made that somehow road tax / vehicle excise duty is an unfair burden on the motorist, and that it somehow gives them more rights. We can at least agree that paying vehicle excise duty is irrelevant to this debate.

Going back to the OP, it's a nice idea, but in practice it would be very difficult to police, and I think in practice, it is motorists who should burden the responsibility to making the roads a safer place

I'm a cyclist, and a motorist. There are cyclists who disregard the law, as there are drivers, but while hundreds of cyclists are killed each year by dangerous / reckless drivers I've yet to hear of a motorist being killed by an inconsiderate cyclist!

You have to drive, and ride, defensively, but assertively too, nowadays if you are to see your old age I'm afraid. And I do have public liability insurance as a cyclist via the CTC - I see it as a necessary evil in our litigious society .
Cyclists, use your eyes and ears, and assume everyone is an idiot (!), motorists, look twice, and for heavens sake pull put early to pass - its no good pulling out as you pass and then ostentatiously driving on the wrong side of the road for 100 yds afterward if you've just nearly hit my rear wheel pulling out late!!
Here endeth the lecture!

I don't get how cyclists want to be treated fair and with respect when they then choose which red lights they do and don't go through, most seem to make up their own rules of the road most of the time.

Just because the government changed what it was called to suit themselves, does not mean that it's no longer road tax IMO. The only thing that changed was the name.

Outraged, just to check, would you want cyclists to be billed £0.001 annually for their emissions?