Cycle route calls rapped by councillor

“Cyclists need to get real. More and more people are forced to find work further afield than normal. Where the car is the ONLY viable means of transport.

I am sure the majority of car drivers would switch to public transport if it were a viable alternative, or would gladly cycle to work if they were lucky enough to work locally.

More cars use the roads than cyclists. Therefore you are in a minority. Stop whinging and whining about the nasty evil car driving monsters who obviously use you as target practice to make their journeys more interesting.

Its the same old boring arguments, time after time. You're cycles are not taxed, 99% of them not insured or registered and you do not pay your way towards the UKs road networks.

A cyclist argued previously that they already pay car tax, therefore they DO pay their way. NO, that tax is specific to that vehicle, which is why when you own more than one car you have to have them individually taxed. If you want to cycle on public roads, then pay road tax for the priveledge.”

“Although I live 2700 miles away, I have had the chance to visit your area back in 2008 and am returning in a few weeks.

One thing that surprised me, being from the states is just how much many people in the UK rely on their bikes to get to and from work, shopping, & recreation, far more than we do here.

By adding more bike lanes you will definitly reduce congestion and at the same time promote a healthier lifestyle.

This concillor needs to get with the 21st century. He reminds me of the shortsighted mentality over here that has kept people fat and lazy. His reasoning of the potential injuries that might be caused by a collision between a pedestrian & a bike is ludicrous at best and would be laughable if he were not in such a strong position to help shape and form his community. Yes, injuries occur, but like someone has pointed out in that article look at how many injuries and deaths have occurred in the same time frame with cars. So, if his reasoning is to be followed than I would say he wants to suggest that cars be removed from the road as well?

And yes, there are bike riders who ignore the law, it's an issue all over the world, not just in Sevenoaks. Enforcement and management..and the addition of my cycle paths will alleviate that condition.

Someone please buy this Gent a bike and educate him a little. Once he gets out there and rides he may see things from a different perspective.

Kevin at Plains Bike
Plains, Pa USA”

“Oh i'm glad that it all makes sense to you now. Not sure where you have got the class war from, i never said anything about people with money. We just want cars to pass us with a little extra space.”

“Oh I see its a socialist class war type thing is it.Because cyclists cant afford a car they deserve a cycle lane paid for by the rich people who can afford to run a car.
It all makes sense now.”

“If someone cycles to work and home, not sure that can be called a hobby. Not everyone can afford to run a car and there only way of travel is by bicycle.Also if car drivers were to learn how to pass cyclists safety, we wouldn't need separate lanes to ride in.”

“I am with the councillor on this one.
Cycling is just a hobby so why should
cyclists get a dedicated infrastructure paid for by the tax paying public.
If you want to cycle then thats your choice but dont try and convince people that its a viable alternative to a car because it isnt.If cyclists want cycle lanes then perhaps they should pay for it themselves by way of a tax to raise the revenue concerned.Most cycle lanes I have seen are empty most of the time apart from the occassional disabled scooter user so why exactly do we need more just to appease the rabid pro cyclists.”

“Cyclists more dangerous than any car he has ever seen!! haha does the guy drive around with his eyes closed. I've lost count of the times i've nearly been knocked off my bike just because some fool in a car won't wait for five seconds. I'd love to stay off the road and use a cycle path, only if there were more.If this councillor can't talk any sense, he shouldn't say anything at all.”

“Incidentally - if the councillors in question knew their stuff - they would know that there is plenty of outside funding available for cycle path provision that comes in the form of European Grants. Perish the thought that they should admit to the EU having any advantage for them.

The cycle path provision would not cost them a penny. My City has benefited from thousands of pounds of European funding for precisely this.”

“Wow! I'm so pleased I left W.Kent when I did. I'm now in an area of the country which has been a Cycling Demonstration Town for a number of years (It's actually a City). We were chosen because we already have over 30 miles of traffic free cycle routes in our area. Of course, there are still congestion problems - but nowhere near as bad as the South East is becoming. With the mentality of those councillors is it any wonder that the top headlines in the Chronicle is about the seizing up of the road system!!! Relatives of mine who have lived most of their life in Australia have visited a couple of times in the past five years or so - the first thing they've noticed is how horrendous the traffic has become in just a short period between visits.

I should imagine that like I read is happening in Tunbridge Wells - the traffic is a direct result of short sighted planning where areas of land once used for commercial and office premises have been turned over to housing developments - and of course with the lousy bus services in the West Kent Area it's no wonder that all the extra traffic has been generated.

Of course, those who continually vote for the same old councillors only have themselves to blame. The same councillors who have destroyed Sevenoaks over the years through neglect and incompetence. It's about time some folk let the fog of their tunnel vision clear.”

“What a loon.

I'm a cyclist, pay road tax on three vehicles and also have insurance for when I'm on my bike. Lots of other cyclists also pay road tax and anyone who is a member of the CTC has insurance.

Far from being more dangerous than cars, there's only 1 record of someone dying in the last 10 years as a result of being hit by a bike. Compare that to over 15,000 in the same period for people killed by cars and it's easy to see that Mr Abraham is dangerously ill-informed.”