"You don't pay road tax" - How often?
Discussion
As another “don’t pay road tax” debate rolls on I was wondering how much time when out on your bike you’ve had to listen to that rubbish? I don’t do a huge amount of miles but I’ve still had it stuff shouted at me twice (that I've heard).
The one that will always stick in my mind was a girl in her early 20’s in a s
t heap of a Ford Ka shouted about not paying road tax as I filtered past her in slow traffic. I was extremely tempted to go back and explain that I paid significantly more VED for my Type R than she did in the pile of she was driving.
It was a strange encounter (we didn’t have an altercation before, I just overtook her) but what struck me was how someone young can feel that way, how many other people out there must feel the same.
The one that will always stick in my mind was a girl in her early 20’s in a s
t heap of a Ford Ka shouted about not paying road tax as I filtered past her in slow traffic. I was extremely tempted to go back and explain that I paid significantly more VED for my Type R than she did in the pile of she was driving.It was a strange encounter (we didn’t have an altercation before, I just overtook her) but what struck me was how someone young can feel that way, how many other people out there must feel the same.
Interestingly I had a big argument about this on Saturday, was the first time anyone had raised it with me, but I was pretty surprised that anyone truly believes that they have more rights because they pay "Road Tax"
Asking if i could drive my Porsche faster than they can drive their car because I pay more tax for that did not go down well
Asking if i could drive my Porsche faster than they can drive their car because I pay more tax for that did not go down well
I'm only just getting back into cycling. Took a road bike out at the local cycle centre on their closed of track. Great fun, great turn of speed. I really fancy getting out there on the actual roads with a road bike of my own, but I've seen far too many idiot motorists not give enough room to cyclists to put me off trying it.
Last time I went out the road on my mountain bike I had a guy cut across my path as the guy overtaking me flashed to let him turn right across us. I made eye contact with the oncoming driver and could see and expected him to do it. So was braking before he even done it. Then another accelerated past me and cut left across me to turn down a side road to my left. Not like I was hanging about. Then at crossings that act as width restrictions I had some people wait until we were through and others force their way through.
I guess it's about building up confidence. Sorry for derailing the thread, but it all seemed relevant to poor attitudes and I'm sure most of them don't like sharing "their" roads.
To be fair I have come across the cyclists that jump red lights etc. No one is perfect.
Last time I went out the road on my mountain bike I had a guy cut across my path as the guy overtaking me flashed to let him turn right across us. I made eye contact with the oncoming driver and could see and expected him to do it. So was braking before he even done it. Then another accelerated past me and cut left across me to turn down a side road to my left. Not like I was hanging about. Then at crossings that act as width restrictions I had some people wait until we were through and others force their way through.
I guess it's about building up confidence. Sorry for derailing the thread, but it all seemed relevant to poor attitudes and I'm sure most of them don't like sharing "their" roads.
To be fair I have come across the cyclists that jump red lights etc. No one is perfect.
Type R Tom said:
As another “don’t pay road tax” debate rolls on I was wondering how much time when out on your bike you’ve had to listen to that rubbish? I don’t do a huge amount of miles but I’ve still had it stuff shouted at me twice (that I've heard).
TBH, I can't recall that being shouted down here in Sunny Hampshire, but that's not to say it hasn't happened, I just tend to block it out. I had a bit of bike range whilst doing the manchester 100 at the weekend
usual horn beeping and swearing,
then the lights changed to red at the top of the road.
Usual gob st tennis, i asked him how much he'd raised for cristies this morning, and he said i was too fat for my bike, i told him to get his teeth done, and said "see you later" and rode off.
fellow cyclist were laughing as they rode past me.
usual horn beeping and swearing,
then the lights changed to red at the top of the road.
Usual gob s
t tennis, i asked him how much he'd raised for cristies this morning, and he said i was too fat for my bike, i told him to get his teeth done, and said "see you later" and rode off.fellow cyclist were laughing as they rode past me.
Another one here who has never had it although I'm generally cruising at 26mph so perhaps I don't irritate the drivers as much by not holding them up
I have to say though that when I moved up to North Yorkshire last year I experienced an unusual amount of head shaking and fist shaking, even when the roads were quiet, I was somewhat surprised given how friendly the folk usually are, thankfully that appears to have been a 'blip' and normal service of simply pulling/walking out has been resumed!
I have to say though that when I moved up to North Yorkshire last year I experienced an unusual amount of head shaking and fist shaking, even when the roads were quiet, I was somewhat surprised given how friendly the folk usually are, thankfully that appears to have been a 'blip' and normal service of simply pulling/walking out has been resumed!
daddy cool said:
Never had a road tax comment, but if anyone shouts anything at me on the road they just get the finger, i aint got time to bleed chat.
Sorry, went all Predator there.
Sorry, went all Predator there.
A man after my own heart.
I find the finger and riding off is very effective, as is mouthing 'you f
king ' with a wry smile okgo said:
daddy cool said:
Never had a road tax comment, but if anyone shouts anything at me on the road they just get the finger, i aint got time to bleed chat.
Sorry, went all Predator there.
Sorry, went all Predator there.
A man after my own heart.
I find the finger and riding off is very effective, as is mouthing 'you f
king ' with a wry smile I dont get it that often at all to be honest but I dont go out of my way to find confrontation, what is worse is the cars that squeeze past whilst overtaking despite the oncoming lane being empty like they are making a point... I think we are slowly winning the battle on pistonheads though and educating the masses as to what "road tax" actually is and what it doesnt pay for
On our last club run, there were 12 of us in a compact group riding 2 abreast on a long straight country road. A driver came past with horn blaring and shouting out of the window, then pulled in front and braked heavily. When questioned why, the driver said it's against the law to ride two abreast, but shut up when it was pointed out when there was a complete other lane to overtake otherwise they wouldn't have got past and would they preferred it we were spread out in single file taking up 100 yards of road forcing 12 individual overtakes
Generally, when riding alone I tend to just smile to myself and let it go. The driver could easily take offence to any flipping of the bird, come back and knock you off intentionally. It's not worth losing your life over.
Generally, when riding alone I tend to just smile to myself and let it go. The driver could easily take offence to any flipping of the bird, come back and knock you off intentionally. It's not worth losing your life over.
pablo said:
what is worse is the cars that squeeze past whilst overtaking despite the oncoming lane being empty like they are making a point
I'm sure in a lot of cases they just haven't even given it any thought at all rather trying to make a point. Like the idiots that overtake a cyclist and then immediately turn left.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff