On 02/07/2020 11:29, Simon Mason wrote:

Sadly, there has been an increase lately in aggression by drivers
towards cyclists, both verbal and by driving that puts cyclists in
real danger. Drivers complain that cyclists are in their way, and
that cyclists don't pay 'road tax'. But 87% of cyclists are also car
owners, so they do pay 'road tax' (actually Vehicle Excise Duty,
which goes into general government funds, not specifically for roads;
Road Tax was abolished in 1937.) Besides, road maintenance is funded
mainly from council tax, which cyclists are as likely to pay as
drivers.

This year 168 council get nothing from the government. In those areas it
is irrelevant whether a cyclist has a car.

There is one authority in the north-west that gets something like £450
for every resident.

A pity that in areas where the residents pay for their roads, councils
can't put toll stations on all roads not Highways Agency maintained
(unlikely to be used by cyclists) crossing into their boundary and
charge the freeloaders for bringing their car in.