Perhaps it's all part of a much bigger conspiracy? 
If 25% to 50% of bikers can be coerced into giving up biking and revert to taking unreliable but oh-so-expensive public transport, or worse still, rely totally on a cage, guess who's quids in? (Hint - Obscene Fuel Taxation by you know who). Never mind public transport, in a car, you pay more road tax, use far more petrol (depending on engine capacity) and are always at the mercy of "extra local government taxation" - via any of the newly created road traffic contraventions, or parking contraventions. Yes, all those CCTV cameras ARE out to get you, not protect you. These days, you get accused of some bogus road traffic contravention on a whim, then you spend months trying to prove your innocence (personal experience twice, PCN was thrown out) - or just give in and hand over the readies. With the UK having the most expensive fuel in europe, I guess our legislators will do anything to disuade those of us who are getting from A to B for 10 quid a month on a bike (freedom to go pretty much where you please), instead of 80 quid a month for the same journey (just much slower, stuck in traffic jams, using up even MORE fuel and paying through the nose for it). A bike = freedom.
I also suspect someone out there doesn't really like the idea of guys and gals in helmets (largely unidentifiable) riding around Westminster everyday (with percieved impunity) - perhaps they think it's a security risk? Of course, most of the conspiracy theory stuff above is pure speculation, though, i'm sure some governmental bean counter wishes all bikers were in cars - just for the extra fuel tax and road tax revenue.
Or it could just be one very greedy council with a grudge against bikers (or, just see's us as cash cows to be ruthlessly exploited).
Don't blame me 
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Living in this country DOES make one rather paranoid these days. 
Posted: 18/07/2009 at 22:11
