[Gllug] Cyclists (off topic)

[Jason Clifford]

On Mon, 11 Aug 2003, David Damerell wrote:

> That is not true; the TV license fee is hypothecated. However, one's
> right to use the road is in no way related to the taxes one pays -

That is simply not true. 

I own a car that I've not paid road tax for and it is illegal for me to 
have that car anywhere on the highway - my right to use the road with my 
car is predecated upon my paying the relevant tax.

> this is fortunate for motorists, because cyclists on average pay
> considerably more tax per mile travelled (remembering that Vehicle
> Excise Duty is no more special here than income tax), 

Again I strongly disagree. Vehicles pay a LOT more - in addition to 
vehicle excise duty there are enormous taxes on fuel, driving license 
renewals (driving licenses are now valid for only 10 years), insurance 
(which includes a tax element) and the taxes on the vehicle itself.

A cyclist by comparison pays to buy his/her bike.

No other taxes are particularly relevant as a cyclist will be paying no 
moer for them than a driver.

> in spite of
> requiring less space, enormously cheaper special provision (bicycle
> lanes versus motorways), and causing orders of magnitude less damage
> to the road.

Yet cyclists choose to take significant risks leading to injury to 
themselves.

Jason Clifford
-- 
UKFSN.ORG		Finance Free Software while you surf the 'net
http://www.ukfsn.org/		ADSL Broadband available now


-- 
Gllug mailing list  -  Gllug at linux.co.uk
http://list.ftech.net/mailman/listinfo/gllug