The Anti-Car Thread

[Retro]

Now an anti-car Lib Dem council has installed "killer kerbs" which appear to be deliberately designed to do significant damage to cars.

If you think it's just to discourage two wheel "kerb parking" and hence the perpetrator "deserves" it, then think again. Turns out that it's all too easy to hit it by accident, say to allow a lorry through coming the other way by pulling to the side to give it room as they can't be seen.

I'm surprised that there isn't a class action lawsuit against this yet.

A pro-pedestrian council has installed a “killer kerb” that has caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to cars

The Lib Dem-led Wiltshire Council installed the 13-inch high construction near Salisbury train station to create a “more welcoming environment for pedestrians”

But the kerb, which was built in October 2024 as part of a £3.2 million project, has since become so notorious that it has been listed as a tourist attraction on Google Maps.

‘Killer kerb’ that wrecks cars installed by pro-pedestrian council

A pro-pedestrian council has installed a “killer kerb” that has caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to cars

uk.news.yahoo.com

 

[Geffers]

So many motorists will mount a kerb to give an emergency vehicle room. The problem with kerbs is the sidewall of the tyre is the bit that usually contacts and that is the vulnerable part.

 

[Retro]

Best to be clued up on the different types of scameras out there waiting to catch you out on UK roads.

I remember driving during the good old days before these monstrosities were first installed in 1992 and it was such a breath of fresh air compared to today where there are all sorts of anti-car measures in place that didn't exist back then. Sometimes the old days really are the good old days and in this respect the era before these really was.

5 different types of traffic cameras and how to spot them

There are many types of cameras aiming to catch motorists speeding, texting or driving without wearing a seatbelt.

uk.yahoo.com

 

[Retro]

Parking fines are such a profitable racket for councils, with 1.6 million of them meted out in 2024.

UK motorists were hit with 1.6 million fines for illegally parking on yellow lines in 2024, according to new data.

The AA, which uncovered these figures, argues that while drivers are “willing to follow the rules”, they require “practical parking solutions”.

Parking on double yellow lines is prohibited at all times, with rare exceptions like Blue Badge holders. Single yellow lines allow parking only during specific hours, indicated by nearby signs.

Call for action on yellow line parking fines as huge number handed out

More than half a million fines were handed out in just 10 council areas

uk.news.yahoo.com

 

[live627]

Convince me that you're not a police state. Eh, maybe save it to keep that brain from burning up.

Do they look at the totalitarian state that is China with envy?

 

[Retro]

Oh, look at that, the congestion charge scam is gonna charge more and will now start clobbering electric vehicles too. What a total and complete surprise. It's not like I predicted this over a decade ago or anything.

London congestion charge to rise 20% and apply to electric vehicles

Electric cars will get a 25% discount and electric vans and HGVs 50% in changes to be introduced in January

www.theguardian.com

 

[Hitcore]

Some are really team car, others are team bicycle. My usual mode of transportation is mix of the two: I'm with team moped. Cars are too much of a hassle to me, as they are expensive and there is so much rules bullocks around them. Plenty of posts in this thread that attest to that.

Mopeds have the flexibility of bicycles, but with much more speed, especially if you tune them a bit. I've always been very much into mopeds/scooters. I own two right now: a slightly beefed up Kymco Agility 50, and my lastest addition which I have purchased only a few months ago, a VGA GEV1000.

The Kymco has a 4-stroke engine, a classic GY6 motor block. As it has decent speed and durability, this is my choice for longer distances, out on the country roads. The VGA is electric. Great if you quickly need to hop on to get around in town. Also almost zero maintenance.

The Kymco does come with some fuel costs, but they're quite low. And a full charge with the VGA costs virtually nothing (especially since I tend to charge at work, lol). Between the two I think I've got the best of both worlds. Furthermore I don't deal with bs like "congestion charges", I don't get flashed even if speeding, and I don't get taxed up the ass (I pay zero taxes). The insurance fee is only a fraction of that of a car.

A moped/scooter is a good alternative to a car for short to medium distances. For long distance travel I take the train. Get some thick gloves and thermal coveralls and even in cold/wet conditions you're good to go!

 

[Retro]

TFL goes even more anti-car, what a surprise. That Sadiq Khan is a nightmare. Get him out at the next election this time ffs.

Drivers are being slapped with 500,000 fines from London tolls as Labour Party Mayor Sadiq Khan is accused of launching a "war on motorists'".

About 500,000 penalty tickets have been issued to motorists for failing to pay the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnel tolls. Khan introduced the charges on April 7 – meaning drivers had to pay to use the nearby Blackwall tunnel for the first time in more than 120 years.

It's not even clear why they're levying this charge other than they can. Another big demonstration of how TFL's using motorists as cash cows.

Susan Hall, leader of the City Hall Conservative Party, told The Standard: “The war on motorists is not dead – certainly not in Sadiq Khan’s London.

“To make more than £400m from motorists at a time when the cost of living is sky-high is shameful. The signage could be so much better.

And then she said:

“Sadiq Khan will not be happy until all cars and vehicles are off London’s roads.”

Yeah, you don't say. I think she means all private vehicles, leaving only public service vehicles and company vehicles, ie no personal transport for anyone. Of course, Khan and the filthy rich would continue to have their own private transport, let's be clear about this.

500,000 drivers wake up to fine after April rule change

Khan introduced the charges on April 7

uk.news.yahoo.com