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Call for bicycles to be licensed

ALL bicycles ridden by those over 16 should be licenced, Castletown Commissioners believe.

The local authority considered a letter from the Department of Transport regarding a series of draft pedal cycle regulations that will be submitted to Tynwald for approval.

They include the requirement that brakes must be in a good and efficient order, have suitable bells and safe tyres.

Commissioner Kevin Weir proposed at last week's board meeting that the department should go further with the requirements it wants to impose.

'They should make it statutory to wear safety helmets, fluorescent jackets, have lights front and back and have a road licence for riders over 16 years of age,' he said.

'They ride four in a row, they will not drop behind, a motorist gets annoyed and overtakes in a bad spot, they have an accident and the cyclists race on,' he added.

'Any professional driver would support this sort of action. I have a bike and at least I have road sense. I do not ride two, three or four abreast.

'They should have to have a licence. If I have a road licence to drive my car, why shouldn't they? It should be 10 a go.'

Commissioner Richard Ronan said: 'It will cost 30 to administer, but it is still worthwhile.'

Mr Ronan added: 'It's the bike that has the licence, it might lead to a little bit more care, it's the same as a dog licence, why have dog licences?'

Commissioner Andrew Thomas agreed with Mr Weir's suggestions, but thought the licence idea was impractical.

In defence of cyclists, commissioners' chairman Alwyn Collister said: 'Cyclists have brought a good deal of publicity to the Isle of Man, we have some very good cyclists. The Isle of Man is known throughout the cycling world.'

Mr Weir's proposals received support from the majority of the board and will be outlined in the board's reply to the DoT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Send your comments to newsviews@newsiom.co.im

YOUR COMMENTS

It might cost 30 to administer but how much is it going to cost to monitor. Having a license won't stop them riding 3 or 4 abreast.

MANX CITIZEN

I'm sorry but Kevin Weir has got the issue completely wrong. Regulating and taxing cyclists is not going to reduce any of the problems which he cites. First, if a motorist gets angry with a cyclist, or group of cyclists, and crashes, he is liable, not the cyclists. The law does not compensate for anger. Secondly, regulating the owning and use of bicycles for anyone over the age of 16 would be completely unworkable. As a society we have enough problems trying to get young motorists to pay tax and insurance on cars and motorbikes, let alone on push bikes. The government and local authorities have a lot more important issues to be dealing with than chasing young kids for 10 for a bicycle. Thridly, 10 tax for what could be a 50 push bike is ridiculously disproportionate, and if this was applied to the car driving population then there would be an uproar. If people were forced to pay 4000 tax for a 20000 car, plus the insurance and petrol costs, there would be outcry. Picking on cyclists because they are hated by the majority of the population is completely unfair. Fourth, we pay road tax because of the damage that motor vehicles do to the roads and the surrounding environment, which has to be met by the government. Can Mr Weir come up with any statistics, other than the anecdote of his rage towards cyclists, which proves that cyclists cause any damage to the road surface which must be recovered through taxation? Finally, in an age where we're constantly being warned of our damage to the environment and the need to move towards greener sources of energy and transport, this is moving in completely the wrong direction, and would only discourage people from taking up cycling as either a sport or a means of transport.

MATT, Peel

About time too. Maybe then cyclists wouldn't ride 3 or 4 abreast and drivers might not have to sit behind them while they chat to each other. I'm fairly sure the highway code says cyclists should ride in single file.

RAMSEY GIRL

Well done Mr Weir, At last somebody is taking the initiative against the senseless and selfish packs of cyclists who visit our island for their sport but ride around with total disregard for the Highway Code and for the road conditions. I'm sure many motorists have come across packs of cyclists, up to five across, impeding the progress of other road users. The Highway Code clearly lays out "advice" to cyclists but unfortunately as this is "advice" it is not enforceable. However the police have the power to prosecute for " riding without reasonable consideration for other road users", so why don't they? The cyclists argument is that they ride in "packs" for safety as motorists come too close. That may happen on occasions but it is not for the cyclists to police the roads. We have a system for that already and taking the law into their own hands is unacceptable. Maybe licensing isn't the correct answer but in the absence of any other form of control, the cyclists themselves can only be held to blame for this procedure to be invoked.

If they complied with the Highway Code then a problem wouldn't exist and this subject wouldn't be up for debate.

The rules are copied below for information

Rule 59 states

Clothing. You should wear

a cycle helmet which conforms to current regulations, is the correct size and securely fastened

appropriate clothes for cycling. Avoid clothes which may get tangled in the chain, or in a wheel or may obscure your lights

light-coloured or fluorescent clothing which helps other road users to see you in daylight and poor light

reflective clothing and/or accessories (belt, arm or ankle bands) in the dark

64

You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement.

Rule 66 states

You should

keep both hands on the handlebars except when signalling or changing gear

keep both feet on the pedals

never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends

not ride close behind another vehicle

not carry anything which will affect your balance or may get tangled up with your wheels or chain

be considerate of other road users, particularly blind and partially sighted pedestrians. Let them know you are there when necessary, for example, by ringing your bell if you have one. It is recommended that a bell be fitted

MICK

Instead of the daft idea of trying to license cyclists, why not just ensure that they are forced to abide by the highway code and fine any of them caught riding 3 and 4 abreast. I am sure I am not the only driver who has been inconvenienced by irresponsibility of cyclists. Why can't the police tour the local cycle clubs and lay the law down to them. They are quick enough to do it for every other category of road user/pedestrian.

PEEJAY

Whilst I sympathise with the frustration that some cyclists are inconsiderate road users (as are some motorists), I think that mandating fluorescent garb and safety helmets is daft. All it will achieve is to discourage people from cycling, meaning more car journeys and less healthy exercise. Similarly, raising the cost of cycling by requiring a "bicycle tax" will simply increase congestion. The Police already have powers to act against inconsiderate, reckless or dangerous road users, including cyclists, and can use those powers if they deem it appropriate. The ideas suggested seem over the top and designed to bring the Isle of Man into disrepute - Commissioner Kevin Weir "cannot be serious".

STEVE

May be we should have licensing for organised group rides. The highway code is very clear about how to ride on public roads and this is regularly flouted by organised ride outs and road races on open roads. High vis clothing should be made compulsory for road riding at all times by all riders. And lights at night – is it illegal to have lights on a bike at night on the Island? How about restrictions use of skate boards, push scooters and go karts on public roads (and after dark!)

LIZ

I have absolutely nothing against cyclists but I do think every bike should be able to be identified for those who do commit acts of dangerous riding (and it does happen]. I walk to work and my route includes coming up from Tromode Road on to the bottom of Bray Hill. There was a time last year when I was rounding the corner from Tromode Road and I was confronted by a cyclist speeding around the corner, on the pavement, going in the opposite direction to me. This happened every morning and was extremely dangerous as, had we collided, I could have been killed. I wanted to report the offending cyclist but what could I say to the police? I suppose I could have given them the time and place of the daily offence but they would have had to be there to catch the offender. As it stands a cyclist can do what he/she likes and get away with it. There are many responsible cyclists and, when I am driving, I do my utmost to be considerate towards them as I used to do quite a bit of cycling myself. I'm not sure about road tax as I don't think bikes do anywhere near as much damage to road surfaces as vehicles do so I would be happy with just a means of identification.

ZIGGY

Another scam for the government to get money from us the tax payer. The government want people to go green, cycling is better then using a car. I use my car at weekends and it is frustrating to have to over take the silly road cyclists who cycle 4 abreast. The law should just change to ensure they only cycle 2 abreast. I use my bike to get to and from work in the week and this saves me money time and effort and i get exercise from it too. There is no need for a cyclist to have a license. And don't even get me started on dog license's I also have a dog, he's licensed and I pick up his poo, why are horses insured and taxed they take up the road at times too and their owners do not have to pick up the mess they leave all over the roads!

I will pay for a bicycle license when they make car tax free, I pay that and the roads are in a state and this causes me more money getting my car suspension repaired because of DOT not fixing pot holes.

A MANX PERSON

Maybe we should tax the walkers as well who stroll the country roads 3 or 4 a breast. 5 a shoe! And check they have enough grip on them. What a load of poppycock!

MANX CYCLIST

I agree with Manx Citizen, this will prove to be expensive and almost impossible to regulate, how many new Civil Service positions will be required to administer the paperwork. Having a licence on a bike will not stop any bad or inconsiderate cyclist from continuing with their bad habits. With perhaps the exception of some young children who need formal training on how to ride a bike safely on the road (the old Cycling Proficiency Certificate), the vast majority of cyclist's conduct themselves correctly when on a public highway. I would suggest that Castletown Commissioners concentrate more on sorting out the many problems within the town, rather than get involved in whole Island traffic legislation.

CONCERNED CASTLETOWN RESIDENT

What a ridiculous waste of time and money. If motorists are too impatient to wait until a safe passing place to overtake bicycles, then there really is something amiss. What about the high volume of agricultural vehicles on the roads? They drive very slowly and most sensible motorists wait until there is a safe place to overtake. Have any of you actually looked at the condition of the roads on the island? They are full of pot holes, which pose a danger to cyclists. Cyclists ride in tandem to protect each other as other motorists are more likely to spot 2 or more cyclists together than just one individual cyclist. You have heard of safety in numbers? How many deaths have been caused on the island by speeding cyclists? None, I would wager. It's the dangerous drivers on the island which the police and DoT should be concentrating their efforts on. Dangerous motorists pose a threat to all road users, including cyclists.

L ARMSTRONG

If your going to tax Cyclist, then horse riders who decide to take the their horses on the roads should be taxed also. Why stop there. Tractor drivers too!

PAUL

Let's just ban fun now. Why delay the inevitable?

SIMON

Without prejudice: Another idiotic idea from the Isle Of Man Governing Body of Castletown. Although cyclist riding wrongly can be a nuisance, this is no reason for erratic driving by annoyed motorists who are responsible for their own actions whether or not someone else is doing something wrong. Ramsey Girl, the Highway code actually states "Do not ride more than two abreast. Ride in single file on busy or narrow roads". It goes on to say "do not ride close behind another vehicle - this on the Island must be almost impossible due to the inherent nature of motorists to speed. This all said, I agree that taxing the cyclist off the road or bogging them down in senseless "Elf and safety" red tape will do nothing for the improvement / reduction of motor traffic (perhaps there is a case for restricting each household to one motor vehicle each?). I am sure that if any contributor to this discussion really and truthfully examines their own vehicle of whatever type or how they use or drive it, every one of them will have at some time broken the law or infringed the highway code in some manner, those that claim they have never done anything wrong whilst driving I believe are showing such wonderful arrogance. I am by the way not a cyclist, I just believe in fair research on any topic.

LAMIA

Its good to see the Island is going backwards again and not forward, how silly and what a waste of time, I think Commissioner Kevin Weir, should wake up and see the light.

REFORMED CYCLE RIDER

A message for Paul: Tractors are licensed and insured. They have to be to drive on the Road!!

ZH

Surely there has been an error in the timing of this article - it screams April Fools! Given the global push for reducing CO2 emissions and congestion, such a tax is only going to reduce the appeal of cycling. Over the past few years the IoM has been very successful in establishing itself as a top cycling and mountain biking destination (partly due to the success of both Mark Cavendish and the End2End) which brings much needed tourism and money to the Island. Is this worth jeopardising in order to pander to the demands of a minority of drivers who should perhaps have more patience and respect for other road users. I am certainly not condoning 3/4 abrest cycling but surely there are other more measured ways of dealing with the small problem, such as communicating with the cycling clubs and policing etc. Instead of introducing this ridiculous tax that would not only cost more to run than it would generate but would also make the IoM a laughing-stock, why not plough the "let's go to war with cyclists" war chest (assuming it has any cash in it given the current state of Government finances...) into creating more designated cycle routes!

TH

I don't see what Mr Weir is trying to achieve with taxation/licensing of bicycles. Is it for the safety of the cyclist, road taxation or making cyclists ride with more consideration to other road users? Will licensing bicycles do anything to change the impression Mr Weir has about cyclists? I think not. I'd say that 80-90% of cyclists hold a driving license anyway. At the end of the day, licensing drivers does not stop them from speeding and driving dangerously. I am regular cyclist and I ride in 'packs' weekly. I can say we do not ride more than 2 abreast in accordance to the highway code and on the main roads if a tail back occurs we do go down to single file. For a cyclist it is actually safer to ride in a group as it forces other road users to drive correctly and to overtake when it is safe to do so. All cyclists on the road experience regularly motorist overtaking in an unsafe or dangerous manner, yet rarely complain even though it's their life which is ultimately threatened.

REGULAR CYCLIST

I rest my case. "REGULAR CYCLIST" has confirmed that cyclists take the law into their own hands. He states "For a cyclist it is actually safer to ride in a group as it forces other road users to drive correctly and to overtake when it is safe to do so.

Res ipsa loquitur

Regards,

MICK

I am a cyclist and would like to give a cycling opinion on this matter. When we ride as a group we will generally ride 2 abreast as this is allowed within the highway code, and makes a 3-4 hour ride into a pleasant sociable event. We do our best to take other road users into consideration. Never in my experience have I seen groups riding 3/4 abreast, this is illegal. Not an hour goes past in group riding without a driver shouting obscenities, beeping their horn, driving/overtaking aggressively. As a cycle club we often have kids 13/14 out with us and this kind of behavior is at best inappropriate, at worst dangerous. In reference to the potential regulations, I already pay road tax as I (and most cyclists) have a car. If it was the law I would pay, though I don't see this as a good way of encouraging a healthy island population. Why should I have to dress in a fluro jacket, no other road user has to? Why do I need lights if I don't ride at night? In respect of his example of the motorist getting annoyed, if there is an accident and the cyclist is involved they will probably be dead. The big problem we have on the isle of man is motorists getting annoyed, driving inappropriately and putting the lives of our cyclists at risk.

MANX CYCLIST

This proposal does not go far enough! I'm fed up trying to walk down the likes of Strand Street only to find my way blocked by pram pushers walking four abreast or a gang of people blocking the public right of way as they have their public meeting oblivious to the inconvenience of other pedestrians trying to walk from A to B in a straight line. How inconsiderate are these people? These prams should be licenced with lights, brakes and an annual MOT, and the pram pushers should wear fluorescent bibs and also pass a theory and practical test to demonstrate they know how to push their prams with due consideration to other pedestrians. Any persons contributing to a public meeting found to be blocking a pedestrian right of way should be fined on the spot 50 pence per minute, and more if there is a perfectly good cafe, tea shop or pub near by, as they should rightly hold their meeting there instead instead of in the street.

P.M.

What a brilliant idea Mr Weir!!! NOT! For goodness sake there are far more important things to worry about! Castletown commissioners once again prove they are out of touch with the local community and a waste of space! How about worrying about the white elephant that is Callows Junk Yard and the lack of affordable housing for young people in Castletown who want to buy their own house! These are some if the issues that the public care about, NOT a minor irritation that cyclists cause. The answer to this is tighten up the policing of the roads, and at the same time how about the vehicle drivers who don't seem to be able to use indicators on the Island's roads!!

THE PRESIDENT OF FOXDALE

It will cost 30 to administer a 10 licence at a time when the government is looking at trying to recoup 90 million and more? What an absolutely ridiculous waste of time, Mr. Weir you obviously having nothing to do other than find pathetic ways to try to justify your seat as a Commissioner.

AMAZED CASTLETOWN RESIDENT

Manx Cyclist – you sound like a nice, regular road user. However, try riding along the TT course on a Saturday morning (especially through Greeba bends around 10/11am) and look out for the 'pod' of about 18 cyclists taking up the entire road. They come through St Johns too, and I was out on my horse one morning and they all flew past me, giving him a heck of a fright, and then made some snotty comments about me taking up space on the road! I would be very happy if some action could be taken against groups like this. The other thing that I wonder about with these 'pods' is what happens if one of them falls over – the whole lot will go scattering into the road like skittles and more than likely under a car, which would be horrid for everyone. PS – I'd be happy to pay road tax for my horse if it meant I didn't actually have to ride on the roads and the money could be invested in good bridle ways – a winner for everyone, I think.

HORSE-RIDING GAL

HORSE-RIDING GAL – you sound like a nice, regular road user. However, try riding along the TT course on a Saturday morning (especially through Greeba bends around 10/11am) and look out for the many cars driving at 40+ mph taking up the entire road. They come through St Johns too, and I was out on my bike one morning with about 17 of my friends and they all flew past me, giving him a heck of a fright, and then made some snotty comments about me taking up space on the road! I would be very happy if some action could be taken against groups like this. The other thing that I wonder about with these fast moving 'cars' is what happens if one of them hits our group – the whole lot will be seriously injured, which would be horrid for everyone. PS – I'd be happy to pay road tax for my bike if it meant I didn't actually have to ride on the roads and the money could be invested in good cycle ways – a winner for everyone, I think.

SIMON

Having only taken up cycling in the past few years, I too have been guilty in the past of making "annoying cyclists" comments - mostly caused by impatience and having to wait an extra couple of minutes for a safe place to pass. Now, as a regular cyclist I have far more respect for cyclists and can state from experience that the vast majority of cyclists are law abiding and considerate. It tends to be only the occasional cyclist that jumps lights, doesn't wear fluoro clothing in the dark or use lights to the annoyance of other cyclists. I often ride in a group and have never seen cyclists riding more than 2 abreast - certainly our club rules and riders wouldn't permit this. Initially reluctant myself to ride 2 abreast I now do so in a group as otherwise cars tend to drive very close to cyclists and can force them into the gutter and potholes which is very dangerous. We are also road users and equally entitled to use the road. In the 4 years I've been riding I've been cut up by many drivers who think it fun to "play" with cyclists and it's extremely frightening. I imagine that the vast majority of bikes owned by club cyclists are better maintained than most cars, and certainly better maintained than bikes owned by the general public, in particular children who use them for recreational use. If a tax and/or rules were imposed they would have to apply to all bike users and would heavily impact families owning 3 or 4 bikes. It would be very difficult to discriminate between the 2. Perhaps if the Government were to use any money raised in this way to incorporate cycling lanes throughout the island the cycling community might be more accepting.

FEMALE CYCLIST, Douglas.

Well done Sir!! About time these so called "professional" cycling clubs were made to follow the Highway Code. Yes Ramsey girl the Highway Code does indeed state cyclists must ride in single file. I have also been out many times when cyclists ride three or four abreast and refuse to filter into single file. They hold up traffic, often make it dangerous to overtake, often unnecessarily so, and have appalling sense of community for other road users. I am against tax for cycles but am fully supportive of making the inconsiderate cyclists follow the Highway Code and ride single file.

ANDY

It's all well and good trying to ensure bicycles are in a road worthy condition, however this is very hypocritical considering there is no such legislation for cars to do the same. This still won't prevent riders from being 3-4 abreast on the road, also, once road registered, why would they not then be allowed to ride wherever they want on said public road? On a more general note, drivers of motor vehicles have a far greater responsibility than cyclists/pedestrians for the safety of ALL road users considering who would come off worst in a collision. If the road ahead isn't clear then they should not overtake.

JP

I think this is ridiculous I ride my bike every so often in a safe and precautious manner, if I had to pay 10 for a licence and had to then purchase high vis, bells and everything else you have asked for there is no chance I would ever get out on my bike. Its common sense not to go out on your bike in the dark without high vis and its also common sense to ride somewhere safe. If someone is riding a bike in an unsafe manner and causing inconvenience to drivers then fair enough they should be stopped but if you have common sense this shouldn't happen. Ride safely if you are going to ride your bike and don't be irresponsible then there would be no need for licences at a cost!!

CHARLOTTE, Douglas

I think we all need to have a ride out in Castletown this weekend.... anybody care to join me?

ANDY, Onchan

And people wonder why there are so many Manxies living in countries around the world – its quite an easy explanation – they have moved to a country which has some level of sense amongst councils and the greater population. With ideas like this its quite easy to see why the island's logo was "take a step back in time" – absolutely laughable!!!!

AM

I would like to see or hear the evidence of actual complaints that Mr. Weir has had in relation to this problem, also any research/evidence into how a licence would reduce or increase safety to all road users, if safety is the issue here. Is there any where else where a system like this has been used and, if so what are the cost implications of administering it would be. More general awareness by all road users for other peoples safety should be the message, just because someone is in a car does not mean they are more important than someone on foot or a bike likewise just because a road user is in a lorry they don't get preferential treatment over car users.

ROAD USER

Andy, I like your idea!! I say everyone who enjoys cycling should go for a jolly good cycle around Castletown and see what Mr. Weir thinks of that!!

PLEB

As a keen cyclist and a car owner. I think this whole situation is being blown out of complete proportion . All you can sense in all of the above comments is anger freely flowing between the two Camps. I cycle to and from work most days Peel to Onchan and Back again. I take as much care to keep in as is safe to do so this means keeping out a bit to stay out of all the pot holes and road debris that gets pushed to the sides. I ride at the weekend with a group and we keep tightly packed two a breast.When there are say 20 of us that causes a space of about 2 car lengths that needs to be overtaken, if we rode in single file that would increase to about 4-5 car lengths and as the Highway code states, to overtake you must cross the white lines into the opposite carriageway when safe to do so. Riding in a smaller group does in fact help. I understand that some cyclists might not be the best road users but that could be said of some motorists. What people need to remember is that on the bikes it is other people and we wouldn't fair very well against a car/van/lorry. Is any journey that important that you would willingly endanger another persons life and if you think it is then you shouldn't be driving as having to overtake at "a dangerous spot on the road because of anger" is just not a good enough excuse for me. Believe me a critical injury or a death to a cyclist is coming on our roads because a lack of patience. The sad thing is the majority of people will automatically blame the poor person this has happened too.

WARY CYCLIST/PATIENT DRIVER

There would be more chance of Osama Bin Laden standing for Legco than taxing bicyles being passed. Evidence to back up claims, Mr Weir.

Kind Regards,

DAVE

I think Mr Weir's idea isnt practical nor benficial but I am happy that there is recognisation for this potenially dangerous issue. I dont drive nor cycle however while out with my partner and young child in the recent lovely weather we have come acroos groups of cyclists riding 4 a-breast and horse riders 2 a breast. I appreciate that part of this hobby is to socialise and I'm sure that it makes it far more enjoyable, however I do think that they should try to be more aware of drivers backing up behind them. Twice over the weekend we were behind groups that wouldnt file down. If anything it made me more anxious when we past espeically as this is usually in the lower foxdale, ballacraine to kirk micheal area on windy narrow roads. I think all should be more considerate of road users and walkers. Maybe Mr Weir should propose that all cycling club. horse riding clubs, MCC's are ask to remind thier members of the highway code and awareness of respect for all users. If all had a little more consideration this would not be an issue.

EMMA W

What a sad state of affairs this is. I am a regular commuter cyclist, if a cyclist breaks the law then he/she deserves to be punished. Frustrating a car driver is not an offence although riding without consideration for other road users may well be. Likerwise riding two abreast is usually safer as it stops a driver taking an unnecessary risk whereas riding 3 or 4 abreast is just plain stupid and asking for trouble. I don't think there needs to be new legislation. If the problem with cyclists exist on the scale suggested by the motorists responses to this article why aren't the police out there pulling cyclists for inconsiderate or dangerous riding? If a cyclist is pulled over and fined enough then they will soon stop riding so stupidly. However, I strongly suspect it isn't as big an issue as this story makes out.

Regards,

JOHN

This whole issue is completely out of proportion. Bad driving by car and van owners is far more of a risk to individuals than any threat or annoyance caused by cyclists. If I am wrong about this please show me the statistics. As for having a bell on every bike and all cyclists to wear 'hi viz' gear, it never ceases to amaze me how naive some of our 'representatives' are. I will wear 'hi viz' when cycling when all cars are painted 'hi viz' too!

CONCERNED CAR OWNER AND CYCLIST

Just to add that this quote... "a motorist gets annoyed and overtakes in a bad spot, they have an accident....." says it all really as obviously if they were competent drivers they wouldn't be overtaking in a bad spot! Reports like this lead me to feel that perhaps we have too many people representing us as commissioners and MHKs - if there were fewer of them perhaps the intellectual quality would be higher.

CONCERNED CAR OWNER AND CYCLIST

So is Mr angry calling for the 3 a breast cyclists to be licensed or is he proposing to punish everyone? From the elderly gent off to the shops to the young man off to see his mates. I guess he would rather see the islands youth locked up and on drugs so he has more room for his precious car. What a selfish man we have here. Says a lot about HIS driving.

Just another attempt by the manx bureaucracy to ruin this island.

I suspect the Manx people are waking up now to the sort of people attempting to run this place. Waking up to the fact that THEIR money is being wasted AGAIN on these ridiculous issues when the big issues (reciprocal health) are fudged.

Wake up Manx people!

CONCERNED FATHER OF MANX CHILDREN

What a load of rubbish, Mr Weir. There are so many more important things to deal with and all you can think about is forcing cyclists to dress up in obligatory fluorescent clothing and approved hats, for their own good of course. What about the bloke who just wants to dress as he's always done, put on his trouser clips and his flat cap and go to work on his bike– are you going to chuck him in Jurby jail for committing one of your new "offences"? Or the kids that just get on their bikes to go round and see their pals without a hat on? This is the sort of NuLabour intrusion into the minutae of private life that many people come to this island to get away from and the bulk of those who are native hope not to see imported. It is sad to see elected representatives feeling that they have to ape such idiocies in order to garner a few headlines. And I don't even ride a bike and I get as irritated as anyone by a bunch of them stuck in the middle of the road with their backsides in the air, but more legislation as the answer? I don't think so. Laws like this have no hope of ever being enforced because they are inherently ridiculous and there aren't enough policemen even if the law was sane, therefore such laws should not be made in the first place. So please, common sense and no more legislation around things like this.

Yrs etc,

THE RALEIGH BIKE

Lol some of you motorists should get yourself on a bike and get a bit of exercise for starters. The dot should think about fixing some of the roads on the isle of man other than the so called TT course, you want to try and ride on some of the roads without riding in the middle of the road. The police can't even stop you so called "safe" motorists for using your mobile phones whilst driving. Yes let's have a license for cycles I will pay as long as we have an MOT test for the motor cars on the isle of man. That will get rid of some of the old bangers around the roads pumping out fumes. Like you may or may not know it most of the cycle ridden by these people cost about 2000 and up to 6000 so I can assure you they are in very good mechanical order. Remember this how many legs of the tour de France did Manxman Mark Cavendish win? And you want to put an end to cycling on the Isle of Man. That says it all. First of all Get an island speed limit for the so called safe motorists. Also is it ok for 2 weeks of the year for visiting motorcyclist to come to the island where I was born and tear around the roads at whatever speed they like? How "safe" is that?

RQ

I've been a competitive cyclist for nearly 25 years, using the manx roads. I also own 3 vehicles, which I think I drive responsibly.

Some of these statements Mr Weir has made regarding cyclists are new to me. In the time I've been riding a bike, I've never been in a group which rides more than 2 abreast. In fact if anyone moves out a bit too far in the road they are quickly told to keep in. An explanation for the two abreast is for rider safety, and to keep the group as a shorter line to pass. Most of the time I ride alone, and it's a weekly occurrence that I get horns beeped for no reason, other than the fact that I'm on the road I guess. I've also had things thrown out of car windows at me, but the way I see it, those people are never going to change. If I'm driving and come across a slow moving vehicle like a DOT road sweeper, or hedge cutter, or even a horse I don't get in a rage and start blaring the horn, I just wait and pass it when it's safe. Why? Because it's not a major issue. I might have added 30 seconds to a minute onto my journey. If someone can't wait that long to get past a group of cyclists who are riding sensibly, then maybe they should seek anger management. As per usual we are all tarred with the same brush, if a group of bike riders are causing a nuisance, everyone who rides a bike bike is slammed for it. Does everyone who drives a car get slammed for the few bad motorists out there? Road tax, should everyone who uses the road be taxed, this would include walkers, horses, livestock, skate boarders, etc, Why just target cyclists? As for the fluorescent clothing, does this apply to slow moving tractors, and walkers, etc.

There are a lot of cyclist on the island who are employed as professional cyclists, and the clothing they wear is a requirement by their sponsors. Sponsorship is extremely hard to come by at the moment, so to cover up the sponsors name with fluorescent clothing could lead to sponsors pulling out. Surely it's a good thing to get people involved in a sport, even if it is cycling. Lets keep it easy to get out on a bike, not scare people away with legislation. The alternative for a lot of teenagers is hanging out on a street corner at night, Add a bunch of rules and regulations to detract them, and that's where they will go back to. Maybe a few educational messages would be the answer in the local press, or in schools, not radical ideas. I challenge Mr Weir to go for a bike ride on the roads, and see for himself how the very few angry motorists act towards cyclists. Who knows he might even like the sport.

ANDREW ROCHE (cyclist and car driver)

Licensing and taxing bicycles and cyclists doesn't work. When costs are taken into consideration, it's just not worth it, and solves pretty much nothing. There's a comprehensive 'pros and cons of bicycle registration'

article here: http://ipayroadtax.com/?p=85

So the facts - riding bicycles is a very healthy, green pastime, enjoyed by young and old a like ... so let's tax it? This guy must be bonkers. The most dangerous things on the roads, are idiot car drivers. I was overtaken by one today as I travelled in my car at 45mph (slowing) into a 40mph speed limit, looking over his shoulder and mouthing something at me. So I followed him up the Ballamodha knowing he would probably get stopped at the Foxdale roadworks, and he did, I got out and knocked on his window and asked him if he had something to say to me. Funnily enough, now realising the 6 foot tall, 15 stone, mid 30's man was now a potential health hazard to his bespectaled 60 yr old body, he had nothing to say and refused to wind down his window. Surprising really as he had seemed quite chatty a few miles earlier.

AB

In response to the cyclists that think this is a bad idea - can you explain the need to use both sides of the road instead of just the side they should be on. I recently had a situation where i became involved in a game of chicken with a group of cyclists. As it was a small county road why would they still be 3 or 4 abreast not allowing vehicles to travel in the opposite direction. It wouldn't have been too bad if they had gone into single file when i approached them, but no, they just carried on chatting and laughing that i couldn't safely get past. In the Manx driving test you would be given a fail if you drive too slow as this causes accidents, it therefore doesn't make me an impatient driver for not wanting to be stuck behind a load of cyclists - it makes me a safe driver! Lets hope that if licensing does go ahead each bicycle will have a license plate so dangerous cyclists who feel they can use all the road can be reported to the police as you would with any other dangerous vehicle driving. Why have cycling proficiency tests for school children to ride safely on the roads i.e. single file when adults feel they immune to this rule and thus set a bad example to our children.

A KEEN SINGLE FILE CYCLIST/MOTORIST

What a fantastic idea, Im sure itll raise a huge amount of revenue for the government; however they look to have missed at trick, the 130 million that the MEA peddled off with in to the sun set, never mind with this kind of blue sky thinking were obviously in good hands, perhaps a tax could be levied on roller skates, pogo sticks, skate boards and space hoppers.

BYRON

What utter rubbish and a waste of time! If this gets approved it'll undo any good work that cycling has brought to the Island in encouraging people to improve their fitness and have a massive amount of enjoyment. There are always slow moving vehicles on the road. If motorists are having a go a cyclists for slowing them down, might I remind people of farm vehicles, horses, tractors, caravans, etc. Gosh! Let's up their taxes for holding up the impatient motorists by 30 seconds! What ever happened to the highway code? Motorists should wait until it is safe to pass and pass with care. It doesn't take that long to check your mirrors and the road ahead. Tell you what, while you're at it, let's make those pesky runners pay too for daring to hold up the traffic when there's no pavement. My goodness what is the world coming to? In a climate such as this we should be encouraging families and individuals to get on their bikes, not adhere to the whims of the impatient motorist. Think of the costs involved if a family who are on benefits has to pay even more for the simple bicycle. Over 16s still attend school and college and up until I was 27, the bicycle & public transport was my ticket to freedom. If poorer families have to fork out per bicycle we are taking away young people's rights to travel without being reliant on a parent and car or the appalling timing of the bus service on the Island which seems to please itself not its cutomer's needs - another argument there I feel. I won't pay it. I won't support this ridiculous notion. If anything, Tynwald should police the trials bikers that I come across on the beautiful hills of the Island, tearing up the 'road closed' tracks and blaming others for the damage they cause. No one does anything about this, yet the effects are stark, dangerous, and an eyesore to any visitor who dares to brave the tracks above Sky Hill & elsewhere. Do something about these people first please and not be petty about the few who get off their backsides to get fit and be sociable. If anything Tynwald should pay cyclists to use their bikes more, not penalise them. If this gets approved, I'm moving off this island. Nowhere that I am aware of has implemented a law like this. If it happens it will upset a huge community of Islanders and the consequences will be dire.

from

A KEEN CYCLIST and motorist who has patience & is happy to wait and pass cyclists, horses, tractors, caravans & farm vehicles safely.

Tolerance.......... a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, practices, race, religion, nationality, etc., differ from one's own; freedom from bigotry. I think everyone needs to give each other some consideration, I have met nice and not so nice car drivers, cyclists, motorbikers, horse riders – no one group is perfect. Tax doesn't make the car and motorbike drivers perfect, nor are all dog owners perfect so why will it make the cyclists perfect? In addition it will cost the government 20 per cyclist – if 25% of the adult population own a bike then that's nearly 500,000 !!!!

RUTH

Why doesn't the Isle of Man look at fining the persons at fault... the drivers of motorized vehicles! as opposed to making an attempt to make money from cyclists. Maybe you should take a closer look at how many vehicles you allow on the Island in order to keep other individuals (who travel in a method more environmentally friendly and more healthy for ones body) safe! What the hell is wrong with the Isle of Man governing officials? Are you aware a bicycle is not a motorized vehicle If you attempt to charge a registration fee for individuals riding a bicycle are you also going to charge a person who walks on the street or travels down the road on their skateboard, and how about charging the elderly who ride their motorized scooters, or a person in a wheel chair? Wake-up! This is an obvious attack on cyclists no matter how you try to cover it up!

TINA ROCHE

In the case of motor vehicles, is it a) the road tax that's designed to deter drivers and motorcyclists from following unsafe motoring practices, or is it b) the penalties for violating Road Safety Acts? It's b) because road taxes wouldn't work. Why, then, should they work with bicycles? We pay road taxes for the externalities that car driving causes. Cycling doesn't cause them, so why pay a road tax in disguise for it? Yet, enforceable, reasonable pedal cycle regulations could be a good idea – they don't make a difference to responsible cyclists but deter unsafe behaviour. Such regulations have been in place all across Europe for ages. In France, you pay 35 Euro for not wearing a reflective bib, and not waiting at a pedestrian crossing in Germany would cost a cyclist 40 Euro.

AN

How about this site for a fair argument?

http://ipayroadtax.com/?p=85

ES

It concerns me not the views of car drivers regarding cyclists and other road users that slow them down but how so many of them can go through their whole life failing to appreciate how beautiful and refreshing such things as cycling, horse riding and walking can be for them! If they did any of these things regularly they would be a lot healthier and learn to appreciate other road users whilst they are in their cars! So it is clear to me that the failure in society in this instance actually has nothing to do with how cyclists ride on the roads but in fact how we fail to instill in our young people the virtues and benefits to their health and the environment as a whole by encouraging them to partake in these pastimes. For example, if the collective mentality of society was such that no parents were to pay for their kids to learn to drive at least until they had learnt to properly understand and appreciate getting around by foot and by bicycle then you could guarantee that our roads would become a safer and friendlier environment to be in. Obviously young people aren't to blame for the attitude of all car drivers but I believe that if we were all taught to appreciate other road users during our teenage years and before being allowed to drive the loaded weapon that is a motor vehicle then as the years moved on we would eventually see a positive change in driver attitude where all types of road users would be respected. But anyway, the one thing I don't get in all this is that in recent years the island has been quick to pioneer and embrace some exciting new technologies and ideas, so why, with the global battle against climate change now being high up on the international political agenda and at a time when the best crop of young cyclists in Britain are coming from these shores, are our local politicians not seizing on this fantastic opportunity to put the Isle of Man on the map as a World leader in climate change initiatives? I mean the councillor in Castletown should be coming up with ways to take cars off his streets not pushbikes!

PHIL, Ramsey.

What a complete waste of time at a time when there are more challenging issues for our local law makers to consider. I cant beleive Mr weir has come up with such an idea. At a time when we should be promoting environmentally freindly modes of transport he is only trying to hinder this. Good job electric cars have not taken off in the island, tax would be extortionate and with the 7% increase in energy prices. If i was to run for politician then i would tax anyone who did not keep up with the speed limits thus causing congestion also those boy racers who decide to drift around every bend causin wear to the surface and unnecessary polution.

ANNOYED, the Eairy

As far as I know, this idea was tried in England in the mid 80's as an optional trial type thing – it was quickly shelved because it didn't work, cost far more than they thought it would, and everyone saw it for what it was – a complete joke. Get some perspective Mr Weir, please. Unless this licence fee is going to be used to make more cycleways and SAFE routes (any at all would be good!), it would be a complete waste of everyone's time, and the end result would probably be car tax going up to cover the deficit.

CONCERNED CYCLIST

I am a cyclist and ride regularly. As with anything it is the few who cause the problem-- the roads are getting busier and thoughtful cyclists will drop into single file when they realise there is a car trying to get past.Some drivers expect cyclists to ride in single file all the time just in case they come along and wish to pass. There are also a great many inexperienced motorists who are frightened to overtake even when there is plenty of room and when they do so they pass so close it is frightening. I don't think the answer is any more regulation ( we already have to suffer too much) but a little more consideration from both cyclists and drivers.

DANNY

This is the kind of "Stupid Logic" we see everyday in the UK, a country apparently run by lawyers who think every problem can be solved by creating new laws and regulations but which cannot seem to solve any kind of problem in its society. Yes, of course cyclists must follow safety rules but that does not mean we need more licenses, expense and red tape. How about actually enforcing the existing rules and laws and applying some common sense for a change? This is how it was done in the past.

RON, Douglas

I am staggered that cyclists feel it is unreasonable to expect them to wear hi vis clothing and especially at the attitude of the professional cyclists who should be setting an example. Is it really necessary that their sponsors name should be visible when they are training on public roads? Hi vis is available in many forms. The black clothing favoured by many is particularly difficult to spot at any time of day as it blends with the colour of the road. Cyclists in France are required to wear high visibility jackets when outside towns, as well as during the night or when visibility is poor. All cars in France and most other European countries are required to carry a high visibility jacket which must be used in the event of breakdown. Ireland has been running a campaign to get walkers to make themselves visible due to the number of fatalities on country lanes.

LIZ

Liz, the french law isn't high viz all the time, it's "At night, or during the day if the visibility is poor, all cyclists must wear a hi-viz jacket outside built-up areas ", which pretty much matches what we already have in the highway code. I don't think any cyclist would disagree that this is a good idea, and they can already be stopped for not being visible at night. French law also states that cars must carry a reflective triangle and a high vis jacket for every passenger, and that cars are assumed liability for accidents involving cycles, do you agree with that too?

SIMON

Ridiculous. Having road tax does not stop some car drivers from driving and behaving like idiots and it will not any cyclists from doing idiotic things as well. I am a car driver, use the mountain road everyday and like nothing more that to have a 'good blast' to work and back every day. But, if there is a slower moving car on the road, doing whatever speed (lets say 50) and I want to overtake, I wait until it is safe to do so! If I decided to overtake whilst going round the veranda and hit a car coming the other way, that would be my fault, not the slower moving car. I am also a cyclist and think some of the ideas put forward by Mr Ronan are absurd. I can understand the ones about condition and operation of the bikes but the hi-vis thing…no. Does that mean that the drivers of other slow moving vehicles should have to re-paint their cars luminous yellow? Making helmets compulsory…no! I always wear one but that is my choice. Are we going to make all pedestrians wear steel toe-cap shoes just in case something falls on their feet? It is all about consideration and I'm afraid that a lot of drivers no not have consideration for cyclists. I spent 8 years of my life in Birmingham, cycling 20 miles a day through the city to work and back and I lost count of the number of near misses that I had with other road users. Busses were the worst, giving you no room to manoeuvre at all and I don't think it was coincidence that their air brakes used to go off just at the point where they overtook me. I also have known cyclists that have been seriously injured and one who was killed whilst on the road. The inquest into the death put the truck driver at fault after he said that he 'couldn't wait any longer and had to get a move on'. Then turned left and crushed the cyclist under his wheels. As far as I know, no car driver has ever been killed because some cyclists were going slowly and riding more than 2 abreast.

Lets get a bit of perspective and stop jumping on the 'all cyclists are bad' bandwagon. From a cyclist, ex-cycle shop worker and mechanic, car driver......road user.

RICH

The outline ideas seem fairly sound - They include the requirement that brakes must be in a good and efficient order, have suitable bells and safe tyres. Any decent cyclist will keep their bike in good order, the bell is a bit of an odd one given that most cyclists have a voice box to be able to warn other road users of their presence. I believe that Kevin Weir has probably never cycled on the roads at all. His comments : 'They should make it statutory to wear safety helmets, fluorescent jackets, have lights front and back and have a road licence for riders over 16 years of age,' he said. Safety helmets have absolutely no effect in the event of a collision with a motor vehicle, whilst I myself wear a cycle helmet it is more for my safety if i come off my bike and my head hits the road or kerb, it is not for the possibility of a collision with a motor vehicle. Fluorescent jackets - I have a fluorescent cover for my backpack and this is an advantage in low light conditions but it is no different to other brightly coloured clothing during daylight hours. Lights front and back again is fine for low light/night time conditions but are no use during daytime, if you are planning to cycle when it starts getting dark then obviously they are needed. Road licencing is stupid really unless it is also used in crime prevention - a licenced bike with some kind of licence markings may be easier to trace/recover but I doubt it. Most schools I believe still teach cycling proficiency - but the majority of older cyclists (80%) have a car licence so should know the highway code etc. 'They ride four in a row, they will not drop behind, a motorist gets annoyed and overtakes in a bad spot, they have an accident and the cyclists race on,' he added. I haven't seen many cyclists riding more than two abreast and if a motorist 'gets annoyed and overtakes in a bad spot' it is their OWN FAULT for overtaking in a bad spot, maybe they should have some patience?! If it was a car travelling at 15-20 mph they would have to wait wouldn't they? I also highly doubt that a cyclist would 'race on' past an accident without stopping to ask if people are ok/need help. 'Any professional driver would support this sort of action. I have a bike and at least I have road sense. I do not ride two, three or four abreast.' Commenting that he has a bike does not ascertain if he uses it at all, this is a vain attempt to say that he has some cycling insight. I would also say that there are quite a few motorists who don't have road sense either ! Whilst I am all for improving cyclists attitude and adherance to the highway code this seems more of a thinly veiled attack on cyclists to just 'GET THEM OFF MY ROADS' ! 'They should have to have a licence. If I have a road licence to drive my car, why shouldn't they? It should be 10 a go.' You have a road licence to drive your car BECAUSE IT IS A LETHAL MACHINE!!! It is extremely rare for a bicycle to cause a death and licencing is there to make sure that car drivers are competent to be in control of a lethal motor vehicle. Commissioner Richard Ronan said: 'It will cost 30 to administer, but it is still worthwhile.' Maybe Mr Ronan needs to check some of the info posted already about other European countries who have tried this and found that IT IS NOT WORTHWHILE AT ALL. The administration costs vs the amounts received from licencing make it a stupid venture. Plus factor in all the people who may not want to get licenced - given that we have vehicle licencing there are still many out there who are not licenced. The people who break the rules now are the ones more likely to break the rules if licencing is introduced. If the licencing paid for better cycling facilities / properly maintained cycle paths etc then maybe I would be interested.

ADAM THE CYLING COMMUTER (ALSO A CAR DRIVER AND WARY OF OTHER ROAD USERS ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE ONES)

License fee, Great idea! This way it will prove they have passed the Highway Code tests the same way as drivers do. We all need to know the rules of the road so why are cyclists getting away with not knowing these the same way as drivers? Please don't bore me with the Mickey Mouse Cycling Proficiency test we all get at Primary School, this isn't enforced! Identity on the bikes also another great idea so then the law breakers or nuisance riders can be identified and reported! I have no problem with cyclists so long as they are riding single file, know the Road Safety Rules / Regulations just the same way as drivers do then there will be no problem! 10 fee isn't asking too much, I think too many of you are getting too carried away with this one! We only pay a vehicle license fee once every 10 years so Im sure the same will apply to Cycle Licenses. Its not another scam to get money out of us as far as I can see, they are just trying to make the roads a safe place for everyone! I for one commend those cyclists who brave the many roads of the island in favour of polluting the atmosphere with more Carbon Emmissions but please ride with care and courtesy of other road users, some of you cyclists frighten the life out of us drivers when you are wobbling all over the road!

ANON

ANON, I would love to find out what car you have that you only have to pay for it once every 10 years!

RICH

The solution is a simple one, don't force a group of people who are simply trying to get from A to B in an environmentally friendly manner to share their path with impatient commissioners whizzing around our roads blasting CO2 from their exhausts. The Castletown Commissioners have missed the point, you don't want to discourage people from getting on their bike rather than jumping into the car, the IOM weather and inconsiderate motorists do a good enough job of that, you need to positively encourage more people to cycle. We know that the planet faces major problems due to global warming a considerable part of this problem being caused by the CO2 we pump daily from our car exhaust pipes. The solution is to develop a network of cycle paths to allow people to travel by bicycle/horse/foot without having to venture on to the road network and run the risk of being mashed by inconsiderate motorists. We actually already have a potential network in place; the obvious candidate for such a path would be the old railway network. Perhaps its time to put our ancient polluting trains in the museum where they belong and convert the tracks for the exclusive use of cyclists, pedestrians, joggers, dog walkers and horse riders. Advertising the existence of such a unique and safe travel network would hugely encourage families and visitors to the IOM to enjoy walking, riding, and cycling holidays in a completely safe environment surrounded by the fantastic Manx countryside. We could at one stroke, create a huge boost for our tourist industry, provide a safe travel route for residents, help save the planet, keep our impatient commissioners happy, and present the IOM as a forward thinking nation rather than a retarded one! Problem solved. In the interim probably a good idea for cyclists who do travel around in packs to be more considerate to other road users, I'm a keen cyclist and you drive me nuts when I get stuck behind you either in my car or on my bike (you are a bit slow!).

KEEN CYCLIST

Another stealth tax. I would like to be able to cycle to work but I can't because there are so many thousands of cars on the road with 1 person in each of them, all ruining our roads quicker that a greener method. I use the train when I can and absolutely do not take my van on the roads unless I have to. I even cycle to the shops where I can. In an age where we are trying to be green, I think it is disgusting that the government are out to charge yet another tax. I take the bus to work and for eg this morning I sat on it for 1 hour to travel 11 miles as the Highways Board decided to have Peel Road and Richmond Hill up at the same time! The road into Port Erin and the Promenade Douglas are a disgusting state and I appreciate work needs to be done but why do they take so long to fix over here when Motorways can be done in no time at all on the Mainland. I'm sorry, but these are bigger issues than worrying about a few cyclists on the roads. There are more and more of us enjoying the scenery this way in the Summer. We have to put up with inconsiderate drivers who do not give room and pass too quickly.. I for one am going to get all the fresh air I can on my bicycle before they tax that too!

VN

At the end of the day this is a load of sh*te I actually do have a licence and insurance for my bike which is more the adiquite as I race for the island on a regualar basis my bike is not just a form of transport or for a good old jolly it is my sporting equipment.. So if we are going to go along these lines let's register and tax everyone who does sport this should help our countries and world obese problam?

Surly hmmm some how not!! I don't get the reason for a bell either (here's somthing for everyone to try out all you need is a car and a bell get one person to sitin the car and the other to ring the bell..

Do you reckon the person in the car will hear the bell??) another question is this national pick on cycle week we don't have 3 professional cyclists and another 3 potential pros for no reason cyclingis clearly the top sport on the island so why are we trying to discorage people from the sport rather then encouraging them? How much is it even costing the iom just to think up this stupid idea were at the end of one of the biggest credit cruches and we are trying to reduce fuel emissions what class idea let's get everyone back in cars... And don't get me on to safety regualtions for all you people who army clued up there is regulations for cyclistand the condition of there bikes including tyre tread etc and there is regulations for motor vehicles aswell but it doesn't stop them from being broken as proved when a motorist failed to have his hgv serviced properly resulting in a fatal accident to a cyclist on a general training ride who happened to be a very good friend of mine and he was only 13 not even old enough to drive a car and you complain about 30 seconds added on to you journy time atleast you will get there!! so let's just say no one is perfect everyone makes mistakes so why punish everyone for a manorities mistakes and opinions. There is far to much talk on the island about making new legislations and speed limits that are no use to anyone and not enough talk about problams on the island and time taken about these probloms!!

COLUM O'SHEA

Ok motorists get me a picture of cyclists riding 3-4 abreast. 2 abreast is legal, its in the highway code. It also makes us a more noteable road user and less vunerable to the inconsiderate vehicle driver. As for your fustration at large groups , we try to keep groups down to small numbers. But normally if your patient one of the group near the back will see you and will shout forward to go into single file to let you past. I don't know why the cyclist are getting penialised for all maner of things at the moment, when we are consistantly produced top level cyclists. The government should look at the huge sum of money it pours into sports like football, and what acheivments has that had? We are world beaters at cycling, the government should be looking at protecting and aiding us instead of trying to punish and penalise us.

JACK W

Abd what about the likes of myself who have a mountain bike and 99% of its use is off road, or the kids with their racing BMX who only use it at Ramsey BMX track, or the downhillers who only use it to race downhill. Would they have to pay the same or would they get a discounted price. Who would monitor that?

RICH

I am also a keen cyclist, and I'm surprised the Castletown Commissioners have nothing better to do. I mainly ride on my own, and I wear a fluorescent yellow cycling jacket. Last summer in the middle of the day, I was hit from behind, by a car driver in Castletown, who then apologised and said he hadn't seen me!! Luckily I wasn't injured, but I so easily could have been seriously injured, or worse. What would Mr Weir have done to this gentleman, given that I was complying with all of his suggested measures? You can introduce all the legislation you want, but accidents will happen. Roads are busy these days, with various people wishing to use them, and we should all be more tolerant of the different forms of transport. Horses rarely travel at more than 3 or 4 mph on the roads, but there does not seem to be any call to licence them!! As for paying to use my bike on the roads, I have a car, and pay my annual road tax of over 300. I think this should cover any damage my (lightweight) bicycle causes to the pot-hole ridden Manx roads. There are a lot of drivers on here abusing cyclists, but I can guarantee if we all cycled instead of driving, there would be far fewer accidents on our roads.

ABS

I think its absolute non sense. All this bell stuff, reflectors, lights and licensing bicycles. As a competitive cyclist myself and Level 1I do not take my bike out on the road with making sure it is road worthy and I make sure I can handle it to. I am always fully in control of the machine I am riding. In Reply to Mick @ the top of the page do you seriously think we go out with helmets on that dont meet the standard. Where clothes which are baggy and could cause accidents. I train as I am chasing a possible career in the sport. I set my self goals which must be achieved otherwise I look at it as something has gone wrong and I wouldn't continue to do what is such a lovely and enjoyable sport. When riding along the roads in groups we always keep to 2 a breast and have a rolling formation where the rider on the outside moves up takes a place on the inside. Communication is the key to anything like this out on the rides and we particularly note when motorists are behind waiting to pass. We cannot always single out straight away but do communicate between the group and wave the motorists on if the road ahead is clear. Let me ask? Aren't I do something healthy and protecting the environment. As an everyday cyclist I have to plan my routes to avoid angry motorists in the mornings on many roads around the Island. Most of them are just impatient will beep and sign and then 100 meters down the road you'll meet them at the traffic lights. Bells ! Well they will not solve any issue. Traveling @ 10mph + and then something happens so yes quickly ring your bell does not happen.

Also as previously mentioned above all modern racing bicycles will not fit Bells onto the handlebars as they are often oversized and made of aluminum or carbon fiber.All manufactures bring warnings with there bars which say Attaching these types of items will void warranty. Just a question to the ministers etc.. What do they think this is going to solve ? Aren't we doing something good for are Island ? We are putting the isle of man on top of the sporting world. What's going to happen to Horses ? Surely being on the road aren't they @ further risk. Oh and Walkers and Skateboarders that come hurdling down your road.

Absolute Non- sense

TB

It is so sad that there are people and politcians who think they know best and do there very best to kill the fun and enjoyment that people have from an activity like Cycling. Cycling as a sport has done more for this Island than any Commissioner and politcian could ever hope to achieve. I am a very keen cyclist, but also as part of my job I do a lot of driving. I can tell you right now as a driver, I see more bad driving on the roads of the Isle of Man in One day than I have seen bad Cyclists in Ten years of driving Cars and Works Vehicles. Wearing Hi-vis vests won't make a single bit of difference to how Motorists will treat Cyclists. And I'm fairly sure that if I used a bell on my bike to warn a Motorist, he/she won't hear it.

TOMMY

Welcome to the Road Rage Capital of the World. So long as you have an engine you take priority over anyone that doesn't. On a beautiful island such as this, which is essentially rural in nature, it is virtually impossible to walk on the hills and open areas without having to compete with the noise and pollution of scrambler bikes. Are our cyclists now to be forced off the road? How are we to encourage children to leave their computer games and get out in the fresh air, and partake in sport, when we start discriminating against those who do? Our cyclists have put the Isle of Man on the world sporting map - let's celebrate that instead of idolising the motor car as king of the road. I do own a bicycle, but it comes out rarely, as I don't have the nerves of steel needed to compete on the roads with motorists.

SOS

As this topic is currently the most debated on iomtoday.co.im, with the groundswell of opinion pouring scorn over the Castletown councillers ideas can we now have a proactive campaign of consultation and action between our MHK's/councillors, local press and cycling fraternity about how we can promote and encourage cycling and respect for cyclists on the island? It seems to me that if we want to show the wider World that we are a forward-thinking island and not some little place still stuck in the dark ages then we need to embrace more-environmentally friendly modes of transport as quickly as possible! Maybe the island should send a delegation down to meet with Boris Johnson and his colleagues in the city of London to see some of the ideas that Transport for London are currently putting in place to "revolutionise" their city and make it a more environmentally-friendly place as I'm sure the same could be done for at least the Douglas/Onchan area! This would surely then help alleviate the regular traffic jams that regularly occur due to the many closures, works and traffic light failures on our roads!

PC.

Due to the current news item on the issues regarding cyclists I have been in contact with the Cyclists Touring Club. It has become apparent that the Isle of Man does not have a voluntary local CTC representative to help voice the opinions of the cycling community. (see http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/Call-for-bicycles-to-be.6132083.jp )

Alas, I have enough on my plate but it seems there is strong opinion out there to support the cyclists' cause. Perhaps we need someone to keep an over all tab and bring various cycling groups on the Island together to form a united voice and become proactive in local campaigns.

If anyone is interested please see here:

http://www.ctc.org.uk/

EMMA SKUSE

The department must have it all wrong. Stepping out of the trees and looking at the forest we are seeing further erosion of civil liberies and freedoms, giving more power to the Government to regulate our lives based on emotive and one sided views based on poor or non existant or poor statistics. Kevin, Because some people have to pay for licensing/ road taxes and other taxes, taxes on fuel then why should other groups eg cyclists have to follow suit? They shouldn't. Any money into Government coppers should be fully justified based on statistics. You have no argument. Yes it is fairly commonplace for groups of riders to ride 2+ abreast, yes it may be irresponsible on their part and are hazard to themselves, agreed, but road safety is all our responsibility.. So what is the answer - Road Safety education.. education its a simple solution! The highway code!! Why not recommend (only) roads and times for riders to go out eg not around peak traffic times? and to ensure that they follow the highway code, its there already to educate, we should all read it again, especially the vulnerable/ new drivers speeders etc Perhaps horse riders should have high viz jackets, but licenses - no point. Mr Ronan, A license solves nothing- its a piece of paper recording our personal details yet again, wake up! Do licenses stop dangerous dogs biting? No its a piece of paper - Muzzles might stop dogs biting!

R

http://www.criticalmasslondon.org.uk/main.html

Critical Mass Isle of Man anyone? Also it's Vehicle Excise Duty, not road Tax. All people who pay tax pay for the upkeep of the carriageways; this includes those that do not use cars or bikes. As usual with these debates it just becomes a slagging match between the various sides, mainly due to the lazy journalism that accompanies them. Why not go all the way and have a pointless and ill informed helmet debate. Is there anywhere you can get cycle training on the IoM? Do I need a licence for all my bikes? Will cyclists get adequate facilities (bike racks)? It would make more sense to encourage cycling through education than to think of extra ways to waste tax payers money. Let's hope people make their feelings known at the polling stations.

BRAKELESS FIXED

RICH The topic here was Licenses not road tax! And licenses renew every 10 years! As usual people don't read the actual issue/topic and go off on one!

ANON!

Oh, and Keen Cyclist Cycle lanes are not the answer, cyclists are part of traffic and should feel/be safe amongst other road users. http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/11901.aspx?lid=switcher Check out what cyclists and the LCC think about them.

BRAKELESS FIXED

Really sorry ANON (with an exclamation mark this time, you really are angry aren't you) how could I make the mistake between License and Road Tax. I fall on my sword for my stupidity. And as I already have a driving license, would I need another one to ride my bike? If so, can you give me any reason. I would be pleased to know if there would be any reason why, if I have a license to pilot a vehicle @ 100mph (if I want to) should I need another one to pilot one at 20mph (can't go any faster, I'm not that fit). And the big issue on this subject for me is the fact that people like yourself are constantly grouping everyone together. The deeds of the one (or few) damn the many. I am all in favor of punishing those that do break the law but don't assume that because I am on my bike that I will do the same. And if you are frightened by the cyclists wobbling all over the road, how do you thing we feel when being passed by some drivers only giving us enough space between their wing mirror and our handlebars that you would struggle to get a copy of the Highway code between. That does not make me feel angry against all drivers, just the inconsiderate ones.

RICH

Absolute tosh. Haven't the IOM representatives got better things to do with their time? At the same time can no-see that certain peolple have an axe to grind when it comes to bike riders.

JA FRANKLIN, Orpington Kent. GS Avanti Cycling Club.

We get bombarded with press about how 'green' we should be, yet arguably the most green form of transport is being considered for taxation! Completely daft retard idea! 20% of cars in the UK are aparently not insured, as to the % in the IOM is anyones guess but I would consider 10% not unreasonable. To tax push bikes is un-policable and should this get to the national press brand us 'Anti green' , 'anti fitness' etc. Car tax has gone up on average 10%, Motorcycle tax a disgracefull 50%+ and classic and veteran car tax an astounding 300%, on the latter two there is no option as in the UK to purchase 6 months tax either. In some cases it is now cheaper to own and tax a car in the UK! We are going backwards! What would push bike tax cost 5, 10? It would cost more to administer the process when we should be looking for savings. ps; I agree also that some cyclists seem to have an opinion that red lights dont apply to them, and yes, 4 abreast on the mountain road on a sunday with cars and R1s shooting by is an accident waiting to happen.

TTTASH

I think its insane as many comments below! RAMSEYGIRL, I think you will find its 2 abreast. Although I do believe they shouldn't do this when people are queuing up behind them!

TONY, Douglas

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