Netwerk24 Cycling related News and Views - Should cyclists be allowed on the roads?

[Duane_Bosch]

Us cyclist should also pay a bicycle licence ( like we used to ). That way we would be seen as  contributing and therefore give us the right to use public roads............imho !!

When I had my motorbike I paid a license and the mommies in SUV's didn't get off their whatsapp and acknowledge my presence any more than they currently do with me on my bicycle.

[Fruity]

As a cyclist I fully support the notion of bicycles being allowed on the road. As a driver, I will admit that I sometimes get irritated with cyclists who at times, take up the road. With that said, why can't this country be like Denmark and the Netherlands?

[AdamA]

Truth be told we as cyclist have just as much right to use the road as cars. 

 

How much Right does a Drunk Driver have on the road?

How much Right does a Speeding Car have on the road?

How much Right does a Unlicensed Driver have on the road?

How much Right does an Un-roadworthy Taxi have on the road?

How much Right does an Un-roadworthy Car have on the road?

How much Right does an Un-roadworthy Bicycle have on the road?

 

The truth be Told... most bicycles are not roadworthy... in order for a bicycle to be roadworthy it needs:

• a red rear reflector
• a white front reflector
• a warning device
• tyre tread of atleast 1mm* (this is debatable)
• and Permission from the local authorities if you are cycling for sport 
• Lights if you are on the road before sunrise or after sunset

Once you comply with the Road Regulations then 'YES' you have as much right as car, but even then :

 

1. a 15kg bicycle will never beat a 2000kg car

2. Rights dont matter when you dead

[HDW]

The state of the Media in South Africa is shocking. What a circus.

[The Guy in Pink]

When I lived in Suriname the roads were a real pleasure, Pedestrians had absolute right of way, Bicycles had right of way over all but pedestrians, next in line were the Bromfietzen, and then came cars.

The pedestrians right was respected by all, so to cross a busy road anywhere you only need to stand on the pavement looking like you want to cross and all the cars will stop and wait for you.

Respect and courtesy prevailed. .

[Sven137]

South Africa drivers are crap. Plain and straight. Too many drunk drivers, too many people texting or selfing while driving. Speeding, ignoring road signs and markings. Too many without training or an inkling of common sense. Truck drivers who shouldn't be in charge of a wheelbarrow let alone a great big fully loaded lorry....

 

In a world that is rapidly exhausting resources we should be encouraging riders to make an effort to get out there and ride to where they need to go. Saves resources, keeps you fit and generally makes for a happy person...

 

Sadly in this lawless land anytime you take to the roads, on a bike or in a car, it may well be your last trip....

 

 

Most Saffa drivers are the worst i have ever seen in the world.... they just do not give a ****

[Patchelicious]

That's one argument against cyclists.

Then there are the - listen carefully - eleventy five hundred and ninety thousand one hundred and sixty one million others.

Not going to happen.

When I’m out cycling, the cars that I do pay licensing for and road tax for, are not out on the roads damaging them, contributing to congestion, pollution etc. So a cyclist actually had a positive net impact of the licensing financials. Or can I claim a rebate for cars not driven as regularly as other motorists?

 

It’s an argument against cyclist, but it’s s very lazy and superficial one.

[Sven137]

One thing i learnt in South Africa... NEVER EVER use the Primary road position when cycling... the car drivers don't give a damn about you, your life and your rights..... they will flatten you and curse you while you lay injured...

[Eldron]

An interesting observation in this thread - it is always someone's problem. The motorists, the media, the mommies in their SUVs etc.

 

"They" seem to be at fault for everything...

[GaryvdM]

Us cyclists should also pay a bicycle licence ( like we used to ). That way we would be seen as  contributing and therefore give us the right to use public roads............imho !!

 

Hi Coppi.

 

So the cost of vehicle licencing just covers the cost of running the vehicle licencing dept. It does not contribute to the cost of road building and maintenance at all.

 

The reason for having vehicle licencing and the associated roadworthy checks is because vehicle have the ability, wether accidentally or intentionally, to kill or do serious body harm, and get away quickly when having done so. Hence the need to have good records on who is responsible for a vehicle, and to make sure the vehicles are in a state that is safe to operate.

 

The licencing also helps with prevention of vehicle theft.

 

Bicycles are not nearly as dangerous as motor vehicles. Yes, a bit more dangerous than pedestrians. Number of people killed by motor vehicles last year: 12,944. Number of people killed by cyclists last year: 0 (Struggled to find hard data on this, so I stand to be corrected on this)

 

This is why we don't need licencing for bicycles. The only thing it would do is create a few more jobs for lazy bureaucrats.

 

Edit: I do stand to be corrected on the number of people killed/injured by cyclists. Apparently the number is growing in the uk. But these number are still tiny compared to the damage done by motor vehicles.

[GaryvdM]

1. a 15kg bicycle will never beat a 2000kg car

2. Rights dont matter when you dead

 

Lets extend that logic:

 

1. A human body will never beat a chain saw

2. Rights don't mater when you dead

 

So you better get out of the way when someone comes at you with a chainsaw?

 

When you are operating a 2000kg car, you need to careful with it. We live in a society..

[GaryvdM]

I know it's from the US, but I love this perspective: 19th century cyclists paved the way for modern motorists' roads

[gogo@]

It’s an argument against cyclist, but it’s s very lazy and superficial one.

Gets my... goat, that one.

[Dirkitech]

Should Netwerk 24 be allowed to publish stupid idiotic surveys?

 

1. No

 

2. Hell no

 

fixed it:

[thisismyotherbike]

As a cyclist I fully support the notion of bicycles being allowed on the road. As a driver, I will admit that I sometimes get irritated with cyclists who at times, take up the road. With that said, why can't this country be like Denmark and the Netherlands?

 

And as a human being I swallow that irritation for the sake of society

[AdamA]

 

Hi Coppi.

 

So the cost of vehicle licencing just covers the cost of running the vehicle licencing dept. It does not contribute to the cost of road building and maintenance at all.

 

The reason for having vehicle licencing and the associated roadworthy checks is because vehicle have the ability, wether accidentally or intentionally, to kill or do serious body harm, and get away quickly when having done so. Hence the need to have good records on who is responsible for a vehicle, and to make sure the vehicles are in a state that is safe to operate.

 

The licencing also helps with prevention of vehicle theft.

 

Bicycles are not nearly as dangerous as motor vehicles. Yes, a bit more dangerous than pedestrians. Number of people killed by motor vehicles last year: 12,944. Number of people killed by cyclists last year: 0 (Struggled to find hard data on this, so I stand to be corrected on this)

 

This is why we don't need licencing for bicycles. The only thing it would do is create a few more jobs for lazy bureaucrats.

 

Edit: I do stand to be corrected on the number of people killed/injured by cyclists. Apparently the number is growing in the uk. But these number are still tiny compared to the damage done by motor vehicles.

 

Hi Gary, 

 

Licensing Bicycles would raise awareness in the cycling community that bicycles 'actually' have to be roadworthy and we (cyclists) also have to abide by the rules of the road.

 

I think the problem is that people don't know the rules

• Car drivers don't know the rules pertaining to bicycles and they're un-aware that they are breaking them
• Cyclists don't know the rules pertaining to bicycles and they're un-aware that they are breaking them.

I don't know the rules pertaining to Trucks, Taxis or Caravans (Apparently the rule for caravans changed a few years ago)