So cylcists should pay £10 a year in Vehicle exise duty? Hmm, supposing we then adjust the duty to cars to be proportionate to this figure with regards to their damage to the road and gaseous emissions?

However I don't think many motorists would be able to afford the probable billion pound annual fees.

However it is ridiculous that with the numbers of deaths caused by motor vehicles as well as their contribution to global warming, that people would suggest disproportionate red tape and cost which would obvously reduce the number of cyclists dramatically and increase the number of motor vehicles on our roads.

It's also worrying that some people attribute respect to road users depending on how much they pay in Vehicle Excise duty. Does that mean they only have respect for high emmission vehicles and little for hybrids and none for electric cars?

C Lester, Milton Keynes,

Alison Steed got it right. Matthew Parris got it wrong. As for those who accuse cyclists of lacking a sense of humour (and this includes readers as well as Times staff) and being 'too PC', well...

Jorge, Manchester,

With respect to Mr. Thomas Goodey's comments - I have taken a cycling test (cycling proficiency), I have lights, I have insurance (courtesy London Cycling Campaign), I pay tax and I have my bike checked regularly.

As such, when do I start getthing this respect that he suggests would be extended under these circumstances? I've seen precious little of it so far!

Correspondingly, I would actually appreciate seeing police in London take a bit more responsibility for upholding the traffic laws that are blatantly ignored by many cyclists who end up giving me a bad name. I suspect that a brief period of well enforced £50 on-the-spot fines for jumping red lights would have a near miraculous effect on the level of this sort of behaviour. Why not try it?

J.L., London, UK

Since starting to cycle again, to get fit for a charity ride, I have been driven at whilst going through a green traffic light and had a metal pole swung at my head as I negotiated a roundabout. During both these instances I was obeying The Highway Code and I find the comments by Mr Parrish inexcusable as they will only give the mindless amongst us more ammunition to carryout more of the same.
With regards to the comments on litter I am afraid the Mr Parrish talks rubbish as there aren’t enough cyclists in the county to drop the amount of litter on Cambridgeshire’s roadsides and does he really think that all high energy drinks are used by cyclists?

AD, Cambridge,

Will Matthew Parris also show his sorrow for offending “so many cyclists” by pulling on his lycra and taking to the country lanes with other cyclists as an act of repentance?

Laura Ferguson, Wendover, Buckinghamshire

I am concerned with the trend in otherwise respectable newspapers, by influential journalists, to actively promote a message of hate against cyclists. People who ride bikes are extremely vunerable - the point has been well made in an earlier post. Would your editor allow a similar rant against religious minorities, or women?
I drive 30000 miles per year. I cycle at weekends - in bright lycra - to relax and for exercise. Because I live in the South East, I only feel comfortable riding early in the morning. At any other times I feel unduly threatened by cars and vans that pass too close - in one instance, striking my elbow as they rushed to get past - only to brake heavily to avoid an on coming vehicle, causing me to brake to avoid an accident.
Drivers do not understand cyclists. They can't gauge my speed, my width or my ability. All they see is an obstacle.
As a cyclist, I regard vehicles and drivers as a threat and will continue to ride assertively to maintain my safety.

andrew whelan, Reading,

Absolutly typical response of humourless cyclists. You're as bad certain religions when it comes to laughing at yourselves... it's just more pc nonsense.

I thought MP's article was a hoot, as many of the cyclists I have come into contact with are the disgracful stereotypes he described. They shoot along, lycra clad warriors, refusing to slow down for me to collar my dog. Then verbally abuse me when he chases them!

I don't for one moment believe anyone could take the origional article seriously, and if they did, it certainly isn't Matthew Paris' fault.

Why don't you all just lighten up and get a grip of yourselves?

Tom, Cardiff, Wales

A well- written piece.

In the last 5 years a whole Community of BikeBloggers has evolved, worldwide, to spread the word about the joys of recreational cycling, and educate the non-cycling majority about our recreational and commuting activity of choice.

We also do what we can to educate, and inform our fellow cyclists, especially those new to the activity, about the best and safest ways to go about it.

Just as not all Motorists, Joggers, and Pedestrians are a menace to us cyclists, neither are all cyclists a menace.

To call for violence as a solution to the problems caused by a few is seriously irresponsible.

Sadly Tim is right, some opinions regarding cycling and the behavior of cyclists get more of a rise out of people than others, and it sometimes works both ways.

Several times over the last 5 years I've been a BikeBlogger I've written posts taking to task cyclists for their behavior on the road (Not to mention for riding on the sidewalk where we do not belong), and offended more than a few folks, but safety on the road is a 2 way street.

Just as we expect Motorists to act responsibly on the road, we should expect it of ourselves as well.

Mr. Parris's accusations are uninformed generalizations and his call for violence is extremely irresponsible, but will generate far more discussion than a debate about educating those who share the road on how to better do so.

What this says about our society I leave to others.

The Cycling Dude: http://www.cyclingdude.com

Kirl, The Cycling Dude, Santa Ana, Ca., USA

In response to Thomas Goodey's comments... I love it when people make this argument because the buffoons obviously haven't thought it through.

Do you assume Thomas that just because we ride a bike that we don't own a car? Of course we do (or the vast majority of us do anyway). And in owning a car we do of course pay road tax.

In fact by using our bikes instead of our cars for some journeys we are actually saving you money. Think about it (I'm sure you can if you try). A bike has negligible impact on road surfaces compared to cars and so we're not causing any damage. If 50% of all car users suddenly changed to using bikes how would that impact the cost of road surface upkeep (and therefore the cost of road tax)?

So Thomas - next time you see a cyclist at a pub why not buy him/her a drink? You owe him one after all.

Allan Blackburn, Manchester, England

I cycle nearly everywhere. I am smug about it (cyclists are after all better people than motorists) but even my wife (a motorist) who detests cycling thought the Parris article was a bit over the top and not nearly funny enough. Jeremy Clarkson does the 'mow them down' riff better.

Simon Baddeley, Birmingham, UK

for too long motorised vehicles have dominated our towns and cities.

they should be phased out over a couple of generations.

we can start now by announcing 20 mph for all towns and cities to take effect say in 4 years i.e. 20 in 2012. that way everyone gets time to prepare and adjust.

that way all the people that are scared to cycle can start doing so and we can then acheive a critical mass.

phil, london, england

my wife was bought off her bike as she cycled on a bike path by a washing line put across the path. Youths on a bridge then threw cans and sticks at her. These things happen. We have a car we pay taxes we commute by bike

warren sanders, EDINBURGH,

I'll quite happily pay 'road tax'. You can go by my carbon emissions, or perhaps the weight of my bike compared to that of a car? Wouldn't be much at the end of the day, just give me a tax disc (ideally lightweight) i can fix to my handlebars, i'll put it between my twin front lights. Maybe then the other traffic will actually deign to see me?

russ, plymouth,

Thomas, are you going to suggest MOTs, licences, tests and taxation on pedestrians too before motorists show them any respect as well?

And how is £10 'road tax' (I presume you mean VED) fair when so-called green cars have a zero rate of VED and cycling is far far greener than those?

There's a clue in the above question. 'road tax' doesn't fund roads - income tax does, which we all pay.

Shaun, Todmorden,

A friend of mine was cycling, and stopped at lights beside a van. Unsure whether the van driver was aware of him, he knocked on the side of the van. The van driver then deliberately turned into him, knocking him over.
I don't believe that this attempted murder was committed by an inherently evil person. It is that motorised transport creates a certain psychology that is selfish and destructive, and which we must break by banning private cars from our roads.

Malcolm McLean, Bradford, UK

Thomas Goodey, why should cyclist pay road tax when noone else does?. As a cyclist and tax payer I subsidse the cost of the road network for motorists like yourself.
As for cycle helmet, these are useless in an accident, and more lives would be saved if motorists and pedestrians wore them.

Martin, Bristol, England

Whilst it's good to see a more balanced article, what is required, at the very least, is a full apology from Matthew Parris with all the prominence that his original hate-filled rant has been given.

Helen Simmons, Norfolk,

Thomas Goodey- I have a car. Which is taxed and MOT'ed just like yours. However I choose to commute to work by bicycle thereby reducing the amount of pollution my car produces. In my opinion this should entitle me to paying LESS tax than you because I use the road less.

Simon Neuhoff, Tadowrth, Surrey

Dear Mr. Goodey

Cyclists, pedestrian, and horse-riders have a automatic right to use the roads. Motor vehicle drivers need to pass a test to show that they are fit to drive, and their car needs to pass a test to show that it is safe. The car also needs to be licensed. The driver's license is also conditional upon good behaviour and observing the rules of the road.
Cyclists contribute to the upkeep of the roads through council tax, like everyone else. Road Tax is a myth - the tax does not go to the upkeep of the roads. And as the license is based on CO2 output, cyclists would pay exactly nothing under the current system. As far as your respect is concerned, I'll forego that so long as you drive safely and with consideration for all road users, as I do.

Oscar Franklin, Chatham, Kent

Thomas Goodey, you are completely wrong about cyclists not having the right to use the road. That is exactly what cyclists, along with pedestrians and horse riders, DO have. Drivers do not, and are permitted onto the road only by licence. That is the law, either get used to it or complain via standard means such as writing to your MP or non-violent protests.

Please do not voice your objections by treating vulnerable road users with disrespect, you will regret it when your disregard results in serious injury or death. Your opinions are not worth anybody's life, and it is not your place as a car driver to judge how other road users should be treated, no matter how much tax you pay. Happy new year and please drive safely.

H, UK,

"Although Matthew was (probably) joking" Was he? If so could Mr Parris please explain the joke , or if not could he apologise?

Trevor Phillips, Rayleigh, Essex

Sam, whether or not the decapitation remark was meant seriously is beside the point. What is relevant is that there have been many serious incidents of decapitation in the UK recently, as well as routine violence offered to cyclists on a daily basis. In these circumstances, joking about such a subject normalises it, as does ridiculing complaints about such invitations to murder. What have you got against people who object to being threatened with violence?
If cyclists seem smug, it's because they generally a) arrive on time and waste less money; and b) know more than motorists about both motoring and cycling. More cyclists drive regularly than motorists cycle. Many cyclists also 'look' annoying because motorists don't know the rules (e.g. that cyclists are allowed to occupy the middle of the highway, that cycle lanes are not just 'for the rush hour' (as a motorist once tried to tell me)). Goodey's ignorance is a case in point.

Alex, Prenton,

I seem to remember that a few years ago, there was a child who died after having his neck cut with a stretched wire. Not very funny.
The only irritating thing about cyclists is that when trying to overtake them, instead of slightly slowing down to make it a safe operation, they speed up. Not to the speed of the car following them, but just enough to make the manoeuvre dangerous. One therefore holds back causing a train of vehicles. This in turn makes some in the following column frustrated and careless.
About one third of cyclists in London are injured every year, this will clearly delight David in Miami. Especially if they, not necessarily having the money to buy insurance, are then unable to buy a new bike and forced to walk
In France if a cyclist is injured by a moving car, the fault always lies with the driver - and a good thing too!

Jan, Tavistock, UK

If you strip away the "cyclist", "motorist" and in my case "motorcyclist" you are left with just a person who hopefully means an awfull lot to some other person and perhaps with that in mind we should all maybe take a little more care of each other.

andrew, northampton,

Firstly, any motorists complaining about tax should be aware that all 'road taxes' are taken from income tax and VAT. Car tax is actually tax for running a CO2 producing combustion engine. Cyclists and horse riders (in some cases pedestrians) are the only people allowed by default to use highways, car drivers pay for the privilege.

Secondly any motorist who complains that cyclists are dangerous (and somehow use this as an excuse to pass at speed too close), consider you are inside a couple of tonnes of metal, whereas we are not. Also riding 2 abreast is recommended by the highway code, you should be capable of overtaking another car, 2 cyclists are a similar width to this.

Thomas Goodey - you say you don't currently treat cyclists with any respect, remember it is a two way scenario, I'm more than courteous to most other road users when cycling, but I can't say I've been that courteous to the ones who've felt it reasonable to almost clip my elbow at 65mph because I ride a bike.

George May, Cheddar, Somerset

Well, good to see that article has been taken in the good humour with which it was intended...

Of course it is an over-generalisiation to say that all cyclists are rude, careless and filled with contempt for other road users. But the fact remains that many cyclists are like this - the fact that some (not all, but some) cyclists ride on the pavement when they should be on the road and ring their bells and get angry with pedestrians who are in their way; the fact that many (not all, but many) who are on the road hardly ever wait at traffic lights like any other road user has to; the fact that some will even ride the wrong way down a one way road and get angry at any motorist who honks their horn at them; etc etc

So yes, decapitation may be a bit far (though if you honestly think that was meant seriously then I think you're beyond help) and so is throwing things out of car windows at them - but you can see why non-cyclists sometimes get just a tiny bit annoyed with two-wheeled fools

sam, farnham, uk

Dear ed.
I believe the article written by Alison Steed although accurate, balanced & well written, (although snippets seemed to include bits from my and others previous responses to the original piece)i feel it is mearly a make peace with the cycling fraternity in hope the whole sorry mess will dissapear article.. The said article written by Alison should have been written by Mr Parris himself with a grovelling apollogy.

Shaun Crowther, st ouen, Jersey

Mr Goodey - Motorists do not pay 'Road Tax' they pay vehicle excise duty. Roads are maintained with Council Tax, which cyclists pay as well as 'you motorists'.

Gareth Penn, Horsham, Sussex

Thomas Goodey you are plain wrong
Cyclists Horse Riders and pedestrians all have a right to use the road, everybody else needs permission, and it is therefore not a right.
Vehicle users pay vehicle excise duty and tax on fuel.
Cyclists (and everybody else) pay taxes some of which are used to maintain the highway.

szegerely, Reading,

Judging by the number of 'outraged' responses to Mr Parris' original 'article', the only qualification one needs to get astride a bicycle these days is to have ones humour chip removed.

He wasn't wrong when he said; 'nor the self-righteousness, though a small band of sports cyclists on winter’s morning emits more of that than a cathedral at evensong'.

Rand Hobart, Blackpool, Lancashire

Thank you, Alison, for a well balanced view. Those less well informed ( Mr Goodley) should be told that club cyclists pay membership fees to the CTC which includes insurance for third parties, and that's on top of extra insurance that some take out to cover accidents caused by others, ie car drivers!. They should also know that most of us are car owners, and therefore pay all those taxes and insurance too. Some of us go to a great deal trouble to be seen by car drivers, who even so dangerously close even though I look like a Christmas tree on speed.

And any way this does not justify Mr Parris attack on cyclist and irresponsible suggestion of piano wire across roads.

Darren, Frodsham, Cheshire

Thank you, Alison, for a well balanced, accurate and responsible response to the outlandish tripe written by Matthew Parris. Sadly, I fear that because this is accurate, balanced and well written, it will get less attention than Mr Parris' column, which is a sad reflection of sensationalist jouranilsm today.

Tim Burnett, Wrexham, North Wales

You say you pay taxes too and have a right to use the roads, but, _as cyclists_, that' exactly what you don't do. If cyclists had to have cycling licences (the test might be quite easy to pass) and insurance (which wouldn't be very expensive) and MOTs (which would be a basic safety check, including lights which many cyclists never bother with) and paid road tax for each cycle (ten pounds a year would be about right) and wore helmets .... then we car drivers might start according them a bit of respect - corresponding to the contribution they made.

Thomas Goodey, Cuxton-upon-Medway, UK

If the idea of piano wire is published in the USA expect a rash of justifiable homicides. In the England I remember many a successful criminal career started with the heinous crimes of riding a bicycle without lights or worse still riding on the pavement. In the USA you will find many drivers who would consider the wire too good for the Lycra louts who consider themselves beyond the law, actively searching for the moment that will render them rich - and disabled.

David, Miami,

How about being shoved from behind from pedestrians while walking my bike on the footpath. And I'm sure we've all been spat at and verbally abused.

Yet the motorists continue to cry foul; we're making the world a dangerous place for drivers everywhere by wearing lycra, riding two abreast (in accordance with road rules!), cheerfully avoiding traffic jams and other heinous crimes.

Well, perhaps we deserve the hit and runs after all.

Jo, Sydney, Australia

Oh pull your neck in, for goodness sake.

Geoffers, Lancs,

Alison well said. Whilst I don't think we should be apportioning blame here regards who actually does drops the litter this is really about journalistic perspective.

Mr Parris would do well to actually take part in a club run on a bike and actually see the other side. Then perhaps he may be able to write a balanced article. I appreciate the he was once an MP and seeing both sides may be somewhat difficult for a politican. I would be happy for him to come out with my club and I on the Wirral, Merseyside. Birkenhead North End Cycling Club.

Barry Jones, Wirral, Merseyside

I think nearly every regular cyclist can tell you tales about how they've been hit or at least seriously endangered by motorists :-( I've been knocked off my bike 3 times, and had many near misses.

Simon Barnes, Lancaster, Lancs