‘Not reasonable’ to ask cyclists to pay for cycle paths

Letter from: John Wren, Marine Drive, West Wittering
A cycle path signA cycle path sign
A cycle path sign

Mavis Thompson, aged 82.5 see her letter here will be flattered and I hope pleased to discover she is too young to remember the ending of ‘road tax’ as a tax to pay for roads.

In 1937 the tax became just an excise duty into government funds, roads being paid for from central or local funds raised by all forms of taxation paid by all taxpayers. To ask cyclists to pay directly for cycle paths is therefore not reasonable as motorists do not pay directly for roads.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It is, thankfully, a reducing perception that ‘road tax’ pays for the roads. The correct title is VED (Vehicle Excise Duty) and since 2001 is simply based on the level of pollution produced by the vehicle.

Ms Thompson would appear to be a very fit lady and I am sure would enjoy a little potter round some quiet lanes on a bike and add another skill to her swimming and walking. Even try an electric bike – they are not fast as such, mechanically limited to a maximum of 15mph. She will enjoy it,

I promise.