Comments on: Register bicycles – license riders

By: Michael Sutcliffe

Michael Sutcliffe — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 08:16:38 +0000

Perhaps I should clarify, I’m primarily still in Australia because I’m finishing off a career in the Australian military. I probably wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for that, (although the resources industry may have its merits).

By: Michael Sutcliffe

Michael Sutcliffe — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 08:14:09 +0000

FDB, I don’t think I’m doing that. We’re past the point of showing moral fibre and fighting the good fight; Australia is on a slow way down to more statism, lower quality of life and less global influence (IMHO) (not that we were significant players anyway except in quality of life). Australia will need to go through significant rebirth to get back on path, kind of like what is happening in the US, so I say bring it on.

By: FDB

FDB — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 06:59:08 +0000

Michael, cutting off your nose to spite your face may be a great hobby, but I wouldn’t found a political philosophy on it.

By: .

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 05:57:47 +0000

John Humphreys was right. ‘Headers” cause brain damage.

Ban Soccer! Anything more than Tennis is violent.

By: Michael Sutcliffe

Michael Sutcliffe — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 05:51:00 +0000

I support this wholeheartedly. You want a nanny state, bitches?
Then let’s have a proper one with sufficient inconvenience and expense to go round. Cycling is a dangerous activity – just as dangerous as any other number of activities that the whingers want to regulate – so let’s have some regulation. Also, there should be compulsory third party property insurance. And a charge to cover bike paths.

By: .

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 05:45:54 +0000

Bike riders?

Um you mean a six year old kid riding to school?

Yep, they’re a menace to public safety. We ought to nurture the police state to curb their anti social ills.

By: FDB

FDB — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 05:42:34 +0000

What a stupid, anti-libertarian idea.

By: motoboy

motoboy — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 04:56:20 +0000

Any bike riding on the road should display a number plate. Bike riders need to be more identifiable and accountable.

By: Samuel J

Samuel J — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 02:54:20 +0000

Note that VECCI is now running with this debate http://www.news.com.au/business/victorian-employers-chamber-of-commerce-calls-for-bike-licenses/story-e6frfm1i-1225849400870

The argument that most bicycle riders already have a car license is irrelevant. You need a separate motorcycle license – perhaps that should also qualify you for a bicycle permit (ie: have several grades: car, truck (which entitles use of a car), bicycle and motorcycle (which entitles you to ride a bicycle).

By: Frank

Frank — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 23:28:22 +0000

Following is a response to some of the comments from the post at the top of this page;

So why should cyclists enjoy the benefits of our roads without making a contribution? – This is a stupid presumption, most cyclists I know have a vehicle which they pay registration for. However this is a stupid argument, mainly because vehicle registartion costs do not go directly to road costs, and bicycles do not create a need for expenditure on roads. Most cyclists I know pay tax of some kind which in the end does contribute to the funds that pay for road costs.

Why shouldn’t cyclists have their bicycles registered (at a relatively modest cost) with a number plate? – Another stupid argument, how does a seven year old child – who obviously doesn’t drive a car – pay for some form of registration given that a bike will be what they use to get around??? People who make these comments are narrow minded. Further, motorised vehicles are registered for a number of reasons, not just for the ability to “nail someone for doing the wrong thing”. This is a dangerous mentality tp get into.

Why shouldn’t cyclists undertake competency tests and be licensed? – I actually agree that there should be a competency test done through our education system at both primary and secondary school level. However, this shouldn’t just be a focus on telling people how to ride bicycles properly it should be a ‘road use’ class where students actually learn how to behave, not just how to reverse park.

I have always said that most cyclists drive cars also and therefore have the experience of both uses. However, most motorists are limited in their experience of road uses and also in their knowledge of the law. Education is the only option.