A load of old Bull Week 7 - Anything but a taxing issue
I've been reliably informed by a trendy friend that there is a page on a leading social networking site which is rather negative towards cyclists. A quick glance reveals the true extent of their anger; the normal tiresome comments about how we do not pay road tax, describing us as a menace on the road and the new favourite claim suggesting all cyclists are continuously breaking the highway code. I will not even address the second and third allegations mentioned above, as they can be applied to those rather dangerous vehicle owners as well as cyclists. Some will argue more so. That's by and by here, as I want to address the thorny issue of how us on bikes do not pay any levy for using the tarmacked highways � and why that should remain so. He who notified me of said Facebook group works in the financial district of London. Friend told me of this page over a pint or two in our local, to which he attended straight from his commute, thus wearing a suit showing his unique style that combines outlandish colours with designer brands. Man also came clutching several brochures for a company car which he is now entitled to. Regardless of make or model listed in each guide, they all featured worthless claims about how �our car is the perfect embodiment of the modern man� and that �driving this model is more than a statement. It's a claim about being the best�. I hope I am not alone in saying this: I absolutely despise this modern business talk. Phrases like �blue sky thinking� and �I will action this� remain the speak of morons and pretentious imbeciles. It got worse as soon as I looked at the brochure for the Aston Martin V8 Vantage, which has been �engineered for poise, balance and grace, expressed aesthetically by the flowing, muscular bodywork�. My suspicions that the car world had gone completely insane were rendered accurate following a whole page being devoted to a photograph of a male and female, kissing. The car was in the background.......on a beach. A picture of eggnog arguably has more in common with the product being advertised.
My heart rate increases just looking at this.... Perhaps I shouldn't be surprised. The modern man is vastly different to that of a few years back, a time when we all ate pies, drank ale and the internet was used for research and educational purposes. These days, the aspiring gentleman has to be able to cook, drink decaf and wear Ralph Lauren socks. Therefore, instead of selling the benefits of a car (top speed, engine size, levels of torque), the manufacturers have to appeal to he who wants to drive a poncy car to show off his status and the fact he's got a coffee blender in his kitchen. I remain unconvinced. Any young man who drives an expensive car is probably not blessed in the penal department, and those aged over 40 who drive a Porsche will have a receding hairline and a divorce to their name. For all the pretension that comes with cars, many owners deserve to pay a fee for trying to be a flash git. This is where the bike comes in. While some owners may be pretentious (read my comments towards the end of last week's musings), I am yet to find a maker who is keen to promote such artificialities. A quick launch on the Bianchi website describes how their models combine �technology with soul�, yet luckily stops short of describing how a �celeste colour scheme conveys a thoughtful presence within the owner�, or something along those lines. And, there's not a heterosexual embrace insight. Nor is there a desire to appeal to a certain demographic. Money aside, almost anyone can have a fine Italian bike and not have to worry about its Ipod connectivity or if it supports Blueteeth. Furthermore, while friend and his chums will go around in their vehicles clad in expensive suits and leather driving gloves, us two-wheeled types ride around in lycra, which remains the least endearing of materials. While someone works on finding a replacement that has the feel of wool and the lightness of lycra, the fact that our clothing will cause amusement to outsiders (god knows why, it just does) is another reason why we shouldn't have to pay tax. The recent snow and ice we've had in England has caused a lot of damage to roads. Car owners are up in arms about the possible damage to their vehicles that this could cause. They should try driving solely in gutter, along with all the cracks in the road, stones and all sorts of dirt. Should those who hog the road (I'm yet to see a vehicle that takes up as little space as a bike, which is another valid argument) not like us or the money they pay, buy some land and drive off road. Simple. To change that old saying, hate the game not the player. It is clear to me, then, that the role that too many cars now take in the modern world is bordering on ridiculous. Bikes continue to be a medium for the sensible. And therefore should not be punished. Link your site or blog to� www.dailypeloton.com
No comments:
Post a Comment