Bike riders subsidise drivers

CYCLING

THAT old bugbear of bicycle registration: why bicycles should contribute to infrastructure costs via a small registration fee (Letters, October 17). A large component of car registration pays for third party personal injury insurance (which I have via home and contents insurance whilst cycling). The cost of transport infrastructure is mainly funded by GST revenue, council rates and other taxes. As a taxpaying employee, homeowner and consumer, I contribute to all these forms of taxation. Given the huge sums spent on roads for cars versus the minuscule amount on bicycle-specific infrastructure, dare I say taxpaying cyclists have been subsidising car owners for many years.

What about me

IF cyclists aren’t compelled to ride on cycleways created for them and wish to continue to ride on the road and demand motorists pass no less than 1.5m from them, then surely I as a pedestrian can assume the same principle and walk along the road instead of the provided footpath. ty levy used to prevent motor vehicle crashes. Where does the bulk of the money come from to make and repair our roads? The answer is the tax on petrol which comes in at a whopping 40c/litre and the GST on the total price of petrol. Our governments only use a portion of this tax take for roads, the remainder goes into consolidated revenue.

It follows there is no need to register bicycles to pay for roads, because bicycles do not use petrol, diesel or gas and most of the cost of motor registration is tax and the cost of insurance to remedy the cost of medical insurance for crash victims. Given bicycle wear and tear on roads is minuscule compared to motor vehicles, and bicycles rarely cause injury to vehicle drivers (the reverse is unfortunately too true), registering bicycles is about as sensible as registering pedestrians.

Bike track answer

THERE has been considerable correspondence about ferries across the Derwent. One of the people with the greatest know- A new way to have your say themercury.com.au readers have a new way to have their say. It’s free to use, just register and have your say. For more details and to register, visit the website. ledge is Bob Clifford who has pointed out it is unlikely to be a financial success if it relies on commuters (Talking Point, October 21).

Visitors are the answer, says Bob. I should like to propose another group, the burgeoning number of cyclists. In Bob’s article there is a picture of a small ferry with bicycles on the front. If there were cycle tracks on both sides of the river connecting to jetties, this would enable cyclists to enjoy the other side of the river without having to cross the Tasman Bridge.

Battery Point marvel

THOSE against the Battery Point cycleway now hold the keys to the development of the cycleway. The River Derwent scenery perceived at Battery Point is too magnificent for the common eye, a true treasure is always locked away. It will require courage, tenacity and valour to use their key to unlock the court order barring the construction of the walkway.

When it is completed, young children and parents, cyclists, tourists and Sunday strollers will be able to bathe their senses with panoramic views while cycling in gentle sea breezes. Of course the perceived hardships and impositions of the walkway in the minds of those opposed to the construction will fade.

Even their families and future families will benefit and so will all in the cycling community. To sit still and allow nothing defiles the nobleness of the human spirit. Life is an adventure, so let the adventure continue.

Parking solution

WANT to get people using ferries? Put space for 10 bikes on each vessel. Solves the issue of parking on either end.

Peaceful pets

REFUGEES and asylum seekers now have to go via the immigration minister and department to seek permission to buy a pet. Want to break the law? Purchase a goldfish or guinea pig. Pets allow people relief from trauma and provide a sense of peace. To deny them this is deplorable.

Korean understanding

THANKS to Peter Jones, I have a better understanding of the relationship between Korea, Japan and the US, particularly the Korean War (Talking Point, October 20). This understanding is critical to understanding the stand-off between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un. Kim made a decision to develop nuclear weapons to guarantee his survival.

Real power cost

YOUR power bill for 2020: IMF calculates coal industry subsidies for every man, woman and child at $1700, times mum, dad and two kids equals $6800, plus $2000 annual power bill equals $8800 minus $115 equals $8685.