Opinion: The Roads Are For Everyone But We Must Consider Others

Published on: 2 Nov, 2013
Updated on: 3 Nov, 2013

A too rare example of special provision for Surrey cyclists.

By Martin Giles

Well, well, well, it seems The Dragon has inadvertently opened the flood gates to pent-up feelings about cycling on our local roads.

The coverage originated with a press release from the Lib Dems at County Hall. The Lib Dem leader Hazel Watson claimed that the decision to allow the Prudential RideLondon race through Surrey was taken ‘in private’, i.e. by the Cabinet, without reference to the full council. No one has denied that.

Here is my view as someone who has driven since the age of 17 (and in quite a few countries), cycles, sometimes recreationally, but mostly to go short distances to various parts of Guildford, and walks regularly as a pedestrian.

Firstly the roads belong to everyone. They were not originally built for motor cars as one commentator stated: the North Downs might be a primeval route and the Romans definitely built roads, including some through Surrey.

During the middle ages and up until the 1700s the roads that existed were often in terrible shape, frequently impassable in winter. Turnpiking, (charging tolls), improved maintenance standards no end, especially for horse-drawn coaches.

Tour of Britain cyclists on a Guildford road, closed for the duration.

But then, a century later, trains quickly killed the coaching businesses and the roads, still good, were used mainly for local journeys, including driving livestock to markets. In the late 19th century the invention of the safety bicycle and the empty roads led to a craze in cycling with large groups riding on excursions, especially from London, into leafier parts like nearby Surrey.

From the early 20th century cars began to proliferate. Ownership was initially limited to the wealthier classes, perhaps that is the reason that pedestrians are expected to give way to cars.

Motorists quickly forgot the debt they owed to preceding road builders, including bicyclists (the Cyclists’ Touring Club and National Cyclists’ Union had created the Roads Improvement Association in 1886).

Anyway, before even one road had been built with motorcars in mind, motorists assumed the mantle of overlords of the road. They were encouraged by the creation of the ‘Road Fund’ administered by the ‘Road Board’ (they named things simply in those days, good for them).

The Road Fund was been set up in the 1909-10 Finance Act. In his ‘People’s Budget’ speech Lloyd George said: “The brunt of the expense at the beginning must be borne by motorists, and to do them justice they are willing, and even anxious, to subscribe handsomely towards such a purpose, so long as a guarantee is given in the method and control of the expenditure that the fund so raised will not merely be devoted exclusively to the improvement of the roads, but that they will be well and wisely spent for that end.”

But ring-fencing of any tax was heretical then, and it’s still heretical now (the TV licence fee, ring-fenced to pay for the BBC, is the exception that proves the rule).

“… motorists are to be privileged for all time to have the whole yield of the tax on motors devoted to roads? Such contentions are absurd…” Winston Churchill

By November 1925, the then Chancellor, Winston Churchill, was fed up with it. In a note he wrote: “Entertainments may be taxed; public houses may be taxed; racehorses may be taxed…and the yield devoted to the general revenue. But motorists are to be privileged for all time to have the whole yield of the tax on motors devoted to roads. Obviously this is all nonsense…Such contentions are absurd, and constitute…an outrage upon the sovereignty of Parliament and upon common sense.”

But the myth that the Road Fund Licence as some persist in calling Vehicle Excise Duty is used for road building and repairs continues in some people’s minds. It seems to have encouraged a feeing of exclusive ownership.

The cyclist v. motorist conflict is nothing new as this early 20th century cartoon shows.

Let me say it straight, motorists don’t own the roads. Everyone has a right to use the highways within the law. So cyclists do have as much right on the roads as lorry drivers, horse riders and motor-bikers.

But we must all use them with consideration for others. It is a moral if not a legal imperative. If we don’t the consequences can be devastating. Using the roads is, for most of us, our riskiest activity.

So drivers must tolerate cyclists and cyclists must consider motorists.

Most of us, cyclists and motorists do but it only takes a few to taint opinions of groups as a whole.

I heard of one cycling club or group echo have set their own rules on their behaviour. They never ride more than two abreast or in groups bigger than six. That is one sensible approach. I am sure also that they don’t shout or gesticulate without proper cause either.

But if large groups of cyclists do remain a problem the police might need to step in. If only to keep the peace.

One of these does not bestow ownership.

There is no doubt that some motorists are a real danger, not just to cyclists but to other motorists and pedestrians too. Any cause of delay to their journey, often taken at excessive speed, seems to make them lose all reason and can cause them to behave despicably, even violently. They deserve all they get from the law but too often it is too little.

As for the road closures to allow major cycling events, I live on a road that has been closed for three major cycling events in the county. I have been impressed at how little disruption has been caused and enjoyed joining neighbours in going and cheering on some of our national sporting heroes.

However, if stories are true that some have been imprisoned for many hours, without even pedestrian access, then the event planning and organisation has gone seriously wrong somewhere and county councillors should investigate.

One thing is certain, in our overpopulated part of the world with relentless demands for more houses and yet more people with more vehicles we can only expect more road congestion.

It is in all our interests to keep calm and carry on with even more patience and tolerance.

See also: Lib Dems Criticise Cycle Event Decision Taken ‘In Private’ and comments

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