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).

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.

Fetishism about traffic rules needs to be put in context with safety. Sometimes I am much safer if a break a rule.

Oh, and like most adult cyclists I have a car so I’m paying for the road even when I ride my bike.

Dad used to give me all his empty pressurised cans as an incentive to rake the yard and burn the leaves.

Our street was treated to a dirty mushroom cloud of half burnt leaves every week.

Regardless of what the legality of it is, the speed limit posted on most roads represents the optimal speed for allowing the most traffic without unncessary risk.

Vehicles or bicycles that go 20km/h in a 70km/h zone are a massive inconvenience to the remainder of road users and should not be allowed on major roads.

In fact such vehicles are already banned from freeways (anything that can’t go 80km/h or more basically)

I suggest Peter Garrett be placed in charge of this new project.

Sinclair Davidson as a benevolent dictator? Yes, that could work but I worry whether the absolute power would corrupt him absolutely. But better still – a golden retriever as the dictator. That would lead to small and effective government.