A councillor in Galway is looking for a curtailment or ban on large groups of cyclists on the roads of Connemara.
“I have nothing against those who go out individually – or three or four cyclists together,” Councillor Joe Folan told the Connacht Tribune, “but the large groups and throngs that are regularly swamping the narrow roads of Connemara in recent years is a serious hindrance to local people and a potential safety risk.”
Councillor Folan referred to an event last week in South Connemara which had over 2,000 participants taking part. “This causes long delays to motorists, many of them local people who have business, work and other commitments to attend to,” he said.
“I encountered a group of about fifty cyclists last weekend in south Connemara and drivers had a very difficult time negotiating their way.”
“Motorists pay up their road tax and contribute to the upkeep of our infrastructure, bad and all as it is,” he explained. “There is no tax on bicycles”.
You might as well tax runners and walkers too
unreal ! It’s safer in a large group drivers have to slowdown @cyclingweekly
Another Dick!! We all pay for the roads with our tax the tax you pay on your car is vehicle duty Depending on its omissions bikes do not give off omissions
Council tax pays for the road tax. Silly billy.
this is exactly the type of buffoon that makes you think elected councillors should be done away with
What a tit
Ian Clark safety is paramount & always comes first with me mate, some right cavemen in trucks and cars, I’ll be wrapping my helmet around someone’s head before long way they come past us haha
Ian Clark safety is paramount & always comes first with me mate, some right cavemen in trucks and cars, I’ll be wrapping my helmet around someone’s head before long way they come past us haha
Balloon head.
What a gobshite. Saying that you pay road tax on your car should incur a penalty of immediate sterilisation in case you pass the stupid on.
Because owning a bike and a car are 100% mutually exclusive.
How do these people tie their shoes?
It’s not road tax!!!!!its motor tax!!!!
Given the way you’ve failed to maintain the infrastructure despite all that ‘road tax’, councillor, maybe you should consider limiting the number of cars and lorries that are damaging it.
Nice, honest, title.
Tool!
Nobody pays a road tax
What about pedestrians on the road then? Shouldn’t there be a walking tax?
Would I be correct in saying that most cyclists own cars as well,hence cyclists pay motor tax.
Would someone put that lad on a bike on a downhill and let him off at full speed
Pat Whitney I didn’t like to say that lol
Pat Whitney I didn’t like to say that lol
Pat Whitney I didn’t like to say that lol
Most cyclists also pay car tax. Monday through Friday, hundreds of cars are left at the front door fully taxed, while they cycle in, around and across the city, reducing traffic, carbon emissions and wear and tear to our roads. Cyclists are getting fresh air in their lungs and keeping fit, which in turn makes them more productive in the work force and over a life time more healthy physical and mentally. Then at the weekend cyclists are out training, sipping coffee and scones in small businesses premises that are only two delighted to welcome them. Post work out cyclists are bringing their bikes into small family run bike shops for maintenance and up grades in preparation for big event, were they pay small, local and national charities a registration fee to provide services that our government fall too. And lastly don’t forget the MAMILS who have to been seen sporting the coolest, gear from head to toe….Cyclists are paying more than enough tax.
Very well said Jennifier best summary I have seen in a long time well done. I will is that in the future
Too bloody right, well said!
Another fuckin nob get off your lazy holes and try cyclin for a bit and you too will find out how enjoyable it is yee stupid c.,t
He forgot to mention the very large amount of money the cycle brought into connemara
There is no such thing as road tax. http://ipayroadtax.com/
sack the council and elect new ones. people don’t have to put up with that bullshit
Obviously another graduate from the school of gobshytery like Healy Raes. Very sad.
Correct right Eoin
Another moron looking for press time and unfortunately getting it!
I’m cycling here in Connemara for nearly 30 years this fella is a disgrace. On behalf of the lads and ladies cycling in the area ‘you all are always welcome. Don’t give any heed to this shite
I don’t normally comment but this is the biggest load of bollox I have ever heard.
Yep, totally agree
The stupid ideas that some people come up with, unbelievable. As Jennifer pointed out, most cyclists are paying tax on their cars anyway. Besides, road tax is supposed to go towards upkeep etc. Not to be used to discourage or punish. He has no clue and I’m sure this is not the first “brilliant” idea he has had. Makes me proud to be Irish, not.
Build a bicycle specific road and I’ll pay a tax on it…
Motor Tax goes to Irish water anyway it’s the property tax that pays for roads so we all pay
Seems to be a misconception worldwide that cyclist don’t pay taxes –what a joke!
Stubborn ignorance, garbage in, garbage lid shut, anaerobic smelly minds. Vomitous poo the only info out.
Stubborn ignorance, garbage in, garbage lid shut, anaerobic smelly minds. Vomitous poo the only info out.
I pay road tax on two cars and I ride bikes. Isn’t the tax based on size of car?
Right on, and road taxes are supposedly based on the west and read the vechicle causes on a road, ergo, repair costs. I’d have no problem paying for the damage my carbon Nike does!
Right on, and road taxes are supposedly based on the west and read the vechicle causes on a road, ergo, repair costs. I’d have no problem paying for the damage my carbon bike does!
Nice try Pietsch. I thought the new laws that allow vehicles to pass bicycles and even briefly cross a solid line if it is safe would stop a lot of moaning and groaning. What’s tax got to do with it?
Nice try Pietsch. I thought the new laws that allow vehicles to pass bicycles and even briefly cross a solid line if it is safe would stop a lot of moaning and groaning. What’s tax got to do with it?
This is typical bullshit, ban everything, have taken part in many sportives, charity cycles Tour de Connemara etc, and all marshalled and controlled, all responsible cyclists on these cycles know the law and adhere to it, dont listen to this ignorant person who would probably ban everything if he couldnt’n make money from it.
Its not road tax. It’s Irish Water funds
Make him cycle it and at least know what he’s talking about
Horse riders need taxing! I suppose the electorate who put him there don’t want the money the cyclists spend in the local economy
Bell end !
How did a dickhead like this get elected ?
If there was a tax on ignorance he would not have any money
there’s a picture of his car and it clamped somewhere doing the rounds. He parks wherever he likes, apparently.
A lot of cars are zero tax anyway
Write to him, let him know exactly what you think of his “economic policy”. You hardly think he sits up at night reading Facebook?
Ask him to explain hybrid car tax. He’ll probably have a stroke.
True but most cyclists also drive and they pay road tax, you ignorant fuck
Motor tax even
He is looking for a brown evelope , Arse hole
Just shows how stupid and ilinformed our so called leaders and public figures are. Getting paid big money for being dumb.
I don’t know how Ireland distributes tax revenue, but in the UK local roads are maintained by council tax payers, I believe most cyclists live in houses – ergo they pay their taxes.
Every study I’ve seen in North America on roads and costs shows that cars and commercial trucks are actually subsidized by general revenues…ie taxpayers in general. Taxpayers include cyclists.
Time for cyclists to ask for a tax refund. If cyclists don’t pay taxes, the ones that mistakenly paid should get all their money back.
Maybe they are forgetting the hotel rooms and meals and beer all those cyclist will consume
Yes, there is no tax on bicycles (well there is sales tax actually when you buy one), but cyclists pay just as much tax as everyone else and most own motor vehicles too yet use them less because they cycle. One could argue that most cyclists pay more tax (per drive) than non-cyclists because they pay the same rego, etc. yet drive less and cause less wear and tear on the roads. If the roads really are that narrow, I do think it’s a safety issue. I wouldn’t want to go on a bunch ride on a narrow winding road like that, but if it’s only for special events like gran fondos, that’s different. We all have to put up with inconveniences from time to time for special events.
Hahahahahahahahahah . What a fool. Well said Jennifer Rabe.
most cyclists are also car drivers/owners….so they DO pay tax
FFS its vehicle excise duty and is calculated on emissions, a bike is zero, i rest my case.
I am sure all these cycling drive and pay taxes.
As Dell boy would say “Plonker”
Oh Dear… It’s vehicle exise duty which is calculated on the emissions on your car. As a bike doesn’t actually produce carbon dioxide emissions then its VED is £0.00
I seriously think Councillor Foran needs to be shot with a ball of his own shit
Total cockwomble
Hang on the tax paid by motorists is an emissions tax not road tax….a car giving out low emissions pays as much tax as a cyclist…sod all. What a load of bollocks.
It’s a motor tax. People are retarded
Anyone know her email address? Think it should be pointed out that if she is going to go on record as a councilor she should at least know the facts!
I used my cycle this morning for work and my taxed car is parked on my private driveway.
So apparently the roads are ours. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2011/aug/15/cyclists-paved-way-for-roads?CMP=share_btn_link
Most cyclis drive cars also go way and get a life. You would be alot better if you looked into cycle lanes and green ways
A lot of cars do not pay tax since their emissions are zero. So feel free to add bikes to the current rules.. Oh look, still no tax due.. Idiot!
Should have some form of insurance. Be it directly or through house insurance. Don’t know if they’re covered that way or not currently. As they a zero emissions, shouldn’t pay road tax. Not for the reason they already pay enough though. You pay both for your car and your motorbike i guess.
Well, they are publically liable, so if the rider is at fault and causes damage, you can take them to court/make them pay. I have bike insurance, as my bikes rather expensive, so i want it covered. The reason, insurance is not forced, is that the level of damage should not reach an amount that is unmanageable by the rider.. They are not going to go through the wall of a house if they come off the road at 90 for example.
Thanks mate. Wasn’t sure as I’m not really a cyclist.
Matthew Ryder-Jarvis its the same as if they chucked a brick at your car, its damage, and they are liable.
Gonna be harder to claim with no insurance. Through the courts isn’t going to be an easy route
Matthew Ryder-Jarvis Well, you have 2 options, involve your own insurance company and get them to proceed, as you have legal cover. They will pursue for the cover of the cost, then take action to go to claims. (or at least they should) The other option, is to take them to court yourself, which is costly, as its about £2k to go to small claims, but if you win you claim the money back from the other side, they then have to pay. (normally, if the dont have the funds, there is some kind of government fund that will pay you and then the 3rd party will pay that back as a debt on a low interest) Its hard, but then its hard with Car Vs Car insurance, my current claim is now 2 years old as the other driver is just telling lies.. 🙂
All hail our legal system making things harder… ah well least things are covered.
Matthew Ryder-Jarvis I think, it was about £400 to open a small claim, but the Tories made it £2k and lowered the amount of legal aid you can get, you know, cos legal support and Justice is only of the rich!
If they give me a rebate for not using my car on the road when I’m using my bike , il pay my bike tax out of that
Am I right in saying that what he means is as we, the cyclists, do not pay a ‘road’ tax, that we’ve no right to be on the road, in a large group? Yes, down with that type of thing (sarcasm). You ignoramus. How dare you…..I literally take my LIFE into my hands cycling on these SHIT Irish roads every weekend, doing, I might add, a charity cycle raising money for various establishments. Take your cock and bull SHITE elsewhere. So disgusted at this suggestion.
And also, surely everyone has the right to use the roads, cycling, walking, running, horseriding, having paid motor tax or not?
How about restricting large groups of motor vehicles?
I’m happy to pay vehicle tax on my bicycle as I do for both my cars. What is it for a zero emissions vehicle? Ah yes £0. Sorted.
Nobody pays road tax. Its vehicle tax and its based on emissions so even if it applied to cycles it would be free.
Hes not worth the hassle…
He later retracted his “dont pay roadtax” on a radio show after.
This moron also wanted to limit people to owning no more than 2 dogs !!!!! Gobshite
Encourage people to be healthy and productive then do things like this. This government is actually the definition of retarded.
What a complete gombeen fuckwit ! T
In case people aren’t aware, this councillor is a retired Garda sergeant. He served in the Dublin Metropolitian Area before transfering to Oughterard. For me, his attitude is all the more unreal knowing that.
And he also wants to restrict dog ownership:http://rsvpmagazine.ie/galway-councillor-suggests-two-dog-limit-per-house/.
To think that people in county Galway elected this guy …