License plates for bikes?

[Fourier]

I found this article very interesting:
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,767522,00.html

I basically agree with the need for more investment in infrastructure but the part about the requirement of license plates for bikes is just another example of overregulation by the german state.
I find it rather stupid that they want to push for license plates but deny enforcing a helmet rule citing mainly "vanity".

 

[brianf7]

Its been proposed time and again in Australia but the cost would be more than they will net out of it so governments are not in favor.

How are they going to keep up with school kids send them in the car with mother and let them get fat. or tell them to either walk or ride to school.

They need to build infrastructur to clear the roads of cyclists that sounds good we may be winning the war at last

 

[SteveT]

They need to build infrastructur to clear the roads of cyclists that sounds good we may be winning the war at last

hmmmmm why would you want to clear the road of cyclists? It is our right to ride on the roads and forcing us on to some second rate cycle routes is surely not the answer. Do you really think they will spend the money to make an effective cycle infrastructure.

Take a look how it works in New York http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzE-IMaegzQ

 

[krebs303]

Take a look how it works in New York

http://vimeo.com/24572222
Park Avenue and 28th Street. NYC

 

[brianf7]

hmmmmm why would you want to clear the road of cyclists? It is our right to ride on the roads and forcing us on to some second rate cycle routes is surely not the answer. Do you really think they will spend the money to make an effective cycle infrastructure.

Take a look how it works in New York http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzE-IMaegzQ

Governments are spending big money on bike specific paths

I would prefer to have a bike trail without cars any time especialy is big citys

Melbourne is getting better you can ride on bike specific paths almost crossing east west and north south that is a big advantage and less hassle with traffic.

 

[doxter]

not too hippy i hope but surely we can work with what we have - by getting along with motorists .
the main problem i can see is mixing coaches/trucks with biking - this is the safety challenge

 

[SteveT]

I'm not against bike lanes, quite the contrary. However in the UK my little experience of them is a half baked scheme.
Lanes where the priority is to traffic entering from the left so you have to give way at every side junction. Lanes just running out completely or having to use some pedestrian type traffic lights to cross, or bridges with 'cyclists dismount' signs. Traffic lanes full of gravel, broken glass etc.
Typical of the UK really, just paint a white line and thats the problem sorted.

Now we do have the start of a very good network of cycle tracks, but they are a different matter.

Admittedly I am not a cycle commuter so do not ride through Cities but out in the country be it main road or country lanes where cycle lanes are rare anyway

 

[Fourier]

One in four cyclists involved in accidents in Germany is either drunk or stoned

WTF, really?

 

[Orvieto]

I found this article very interesting:
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,767522,00.html

I basically agree with the need for more investment in infrastructure but the part about the requirement of license plates for bikes is just another example of overregulation by the german state.
I find it rather stupid that they want to push for license plates but deny enforcing a helmet rule citing mainly "vanity".

Every time I hear people trying to tie cycling infrastructure investment to licensing, I remind them that we build sidewalks down both sides of every street for pedestrians. It makes just as much sense to put license plates on bikes as it does to put them on shoes.
Automobile licensing revenue doesn't pay for roads. It barely pays for itself. Construction and maintenance is funded out of general revenues in most countries. Cycling specific infrastructure should be funded the same way.

 

[Notso Swift]

Every time I hear people trying to tie cycling infrastructure investment to licensing, I remind them that we build sidewalks down both sides of every street for pedestrians. It makes just as much sense to put license plates on bikes as it does to put them on shoes.
Automobile licensing revenue doesn't pay for roads. It barely pays for itself. Construction and maintenance is funded out of general revenues in most countries. Cycling specific infrastructure should be funded the same way.

BINGO!
The number of moron motorists who say "do you pay rego" as if it has anything to do with the money that goes into roads. (in AU Rego pays for Third Party Personal damage and an admin fee) My standard response is yes I do, AND that has nothing to do with roads

Sometime I WISH we paid a token rego just to shut the morons up, but lets be realistic this will not work especially for kids and will be an active deterrent to the propagation of the bicycle which every country in the world agrees is a good thing for about 100 reasons from environment ( in the broadest sense) through health and onwards

Make no mistake I am a BIG car guy, we have 4 registered vehicles (inc Vespa) a restoration project (1964 Cooper S) and a race car (nothing flash, just a 1993 Mazda)