Licenses for Bicycles? Seriously?

[custowncowboy]

I still do not see where additional taxes would make them safer. I guess we could tax ammunition and guns as well since they can be dangerous to others.

The EPA wants to heavily tax any ammo that had lead in it. Then your day at the range or dove hunting would double or triple taxed. Any neew taxes just justifies MORE taxes. Why should my kid's bike be taxed just to ride in rural south GA? Other states make it a county option tax to support their bike lanes, etc. I will be damned if I am gonna pay for my kid to ride on my own land.

 

[Bobo]

And this bill changes that... to....

Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall ride no more than four riders per single file line, and at least four feet shall separate each​

bicycle. At least 50 feet shall be maintained between each line of four riders at all times.

Doing the math, a group of 20 bikes riding legally, would stretch out the length of a football field, including endzones.

No point in a paceline if you have to be 4 ft behind the bike in front of you.

I have been on both sides of the fence. I have seen many stupid cyclist and many stupid drivers.

I always tried to be courteous to the cars, looking ahead of curves to wave them by, etc. But I have seen some drivers do the dumbest stuff. A bike going 20mph on a country road shouldn't cause you to lose your mind.

Seen my fair share of asshole drivers and cyclists, every group has bad apples.

 

[Aegis]

I do not know about licensing but people riding bicycles should sure as hell be punished if they break the law. Try driving over the mountains on Highway 60 or any other twisty mountain road where the speed limit is 35 to 55 and come around a blind corner only to find 4 people riding 5 mph on a bicycle in the middle of the road. Those laws about staying as far to the right, 2 abreast or whatever other ones they are supposed to follow are never followed. What they will do is force you out into the other lane (blind corner) and if you are closer than 4 feet they will call the cops.

This keeps popping up. This law WILL NOT suddenly cause enforcement of existing laws.

just as Gun Control will not cause CRIMINALS to suddenly stop murdering people.


Its the exact same logical fallacy they try to use against gun owners.
punish only those breaking the law. not everyone else.

 

[Proximal]

Amazing to see how so many people are eager to accept yet another tax. First off if we were actually demanding our tax dollars were spent AS THEY SHOULD BE instead of wasted through fraud, every road would be free of potholes, bridges would be fixed, and we would have bike lanes.

I am a cyclist (both road and mountain), and I always obey the rules of the road because I do not want to killed. What some of you do not understand is the reason cyclists spread out is because car owners do not follow the rules of the road and go 3 feet around the cyclist. I cannot tell you how many times I have had a car blow past me by a few inches at 50+ mph. Or when the rednecks in the trucks decide to "mess" with me when I am alone on a country road.

If I could get a 100% guarantee my money would go to add cycling lanes to all roads, then I would gladly pay some tax, but I am not paying yet another tax so some useless politicians can waste it.

Just to clarify, I'm not for or against it. I don't ride a bike, I ride a motorcycle. I'm just pointing out the reasons why this isn't a totally ridiculous tax. Either way it doesn't impact me at all.

 

[Aegis]

This is why I just stick to mountain biking now

View attachment 228444

tax and license those bikers and they wont get in the cars way.

 

[Aegis]

Amazing to see how so many people are eager to accept yet another tax. First off if we were actually demanding our tax dollars were spent AS THEY SHOULD BE instead of wasted through fraud, every road would be free of potholes, bridges would be fixed, and we would have bike lanes.

THIS. They're ok with it, because its not a tax on them...yet.

 

[GeauxLSU]

Sidewalks in Atlanta and most major cities are paid for by the city. ....
But taxing people for taking a 30 minute leisurely ride on a country road or a kid for riding his bike in his neighborhood so as to not "subsidize" their hobby sounds like a stretch in logical reasoning.

I know, that's why I said it. "The city" IS the property owners. I know you don't think like this but "the government pays" (apparently with 'magic dollars') has become all too common a reflex response and has polluted the thinking of too many Americans. It may be a stretch to you, but show/collector car hobbyist who put little or ZERO miles on their cars still have to register them. Unless you are a proponent of the building move to tax miles driven?

 

[shaneadams90]

Was trying to stay out of this one but I can't....so here goes....

I am a cyclist of 30 years....AND A bike shop owner. I have been hit by cars 4 times, all times I was obeying traffic laws and it was not my fault....ONLY 1 DRIVER STOPPED...

I will not debate my rights to the road nor the ignorant stereotypes here....I will try to provide is a DIFFERENT PERSPECITVE.....one from the Lycra Clad Moron..


I often hear people argue about cyclist taking up the WHOLE ROAD
....so here is a different PERSPECTIVE if you care:

I try to ride about a Foot off the fog line when the road conditions support it. HOWEVER, if I am approaching a BLIND hill or curve I will move toward the oil line, thus taking up more road and slowing down motorist a few seconds. THE REASON I do this is because I have had cars try to pass me on a blind curve or hill only to be forced off the road when they meet an on coming car. If I am on the fog line, I have NO WHERE to go...so I ride "out" a bit for everyones safety... Between a cyclist, a car, and a ditch....The cyclist ALWAYS looses....always....

I do this to protect myself and ALSO the motorist behind me as well the motorist the may meet in oncoming traffic.....I've seen TOO many close calls and near misses.

Bike Lanes:
I was on a committee here locally and lobbied AGAINST bike lanes...primarily because they do cyclist NO good if they are not swept or maintained. Currently, our bikes lanes are littered with Gravel, glass, trash, and dead animals...so I ride in the roadway for my own "safety" and suffer the wrath of the denim clad morons trying to turn me gay by calling me names...

"You don't pay taxes you should be on the road"
Contrary to what seems to be popular belief, we do. I own 3 vehicles, 2 trailers, and own my own business. I pay a SH!7 Load of taxes...this argument does not deserve any more effort....just ignorance.


Admission of guilt
Will I, a cyclist occasionally hold you up? Yes, I can't go as fast as you. But damn, is a few seconds gonna break your day? I never get the animosity from motorist (which I also happen to be) but the fact is, road bikes are made to be ridden on the road. MOST of us avoid heavy traffic areas but there are times when we have to get through one congested area so we can get out ..... If I lived in the ATL area I would not ride road bikes..but I am blessed up here in God's Country and have lots of rural roads to ride.

Are there douchenozzles...absolutely, just like there are D!ck head gun owners....some people suck....there are some $hitty motorists out there as well...

Current law say's you have to yield to a cyclist. I live on Fort Mountain, and many times it take along time to pass these, groups riding on the road. With all the turns it is challenging to pass due to safety concerns. Seems most riders don't care about holding up traffic. They could just pull over and let vehicles go past, but don't often..I have to tag my harley's and trailers that have no motor. Since they have the right away why not have to pay for a tag? I have to pay for my trailer tags! Just my opinion..DD

I own Bear Creek Bikes in Dalton and most of those people ride out of my shop. I will talk with my riding community about giving as much room as safely possible...most people won't pull over...as we would be constantly pulling over to let cars by and never get any where...but I will relay your concerns onto them in a public format...in hopes of better public relations.

 

[batoncolle]

Just to clarify, I'm not for or against it. I don't ride a bike, I ride a motorcycle. I'm just pointing out the reasons why this isn't a totally ridiculous tax. Either way it doesn't impact me at all.

Although I do not ride a motorcycle anymore, I am licensed. Cars, motorcycles, etc., do damage to roads and therefore should be taxed - somehow. There should be NO tax on owning a car, house, etc. That is asinine. How can you possibly be taxed on something you own??? Anyway off the rant.

As I said if were guaranteed a bike lane, I would gladly pay a tax. I do not want to be out in that road next to some of the idiots that pass me on a car. But I ain't sitting at home on the couch either because I have no desire to be some fat lazy azz ranting about the guys in spandex - not referring to you of course.

 

[BIKER13]

Keep the damn government out of my business.Tax this, tax that,taxed to ****ing death.