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

 

[Retro]

The camera technology is getting better at nailing drivers over more things so it pays to be aware of them.

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[Hitcore]

You also can get nailed, even if you haven't been speeding, as it turns out.

Thousands of drivers wrongly fined for speeding since 2021

An anomaly identified by National Highways caused thousands of incorrect speed camera activations.

www.bbc.com

 

[Retro]

North Somerset council wants to milk motorists for more money by introducing parking charges which will hurt local businesses too. Nothing new there, then.

The street’s colourful shops, along with the town’s Victorian pier, are among Clevedon’s best-known landmarks, making Hill Road popular with locals and visitors. It even stood in for the high street in the ITV drama Broadchurch.

However, Hill Road’s traders are looking ahead to the new year with concern after proposals by North Somerset council to introduce car parking charges on local streets.

They fear customers will be deterred if they have to pay to park, which could reduce footfall, hit trade and even threaten their livelihoods.

Sign the petition by clicking the link or scanning the QR code.

Sign the Petition

STOP PARKING CHARGES ON CLEVEDON'S SHOPPING STREETS

www.change.org

‘We’ve seen it decimate areas’: Somerset town’s traders oppose parking charges

Traders on Clevedon’s Hill Road say they fear the proposals could hasten the decline of independent retail as councils across Britain look to raise income by forcing shoppers to pay to park

www.theguardian.com

 

[Retro]

For once, they want to do something that I'm not opposed to as these are all sensible suggestions such as points for driving without an MoT and not wearing a seatbelt. This second one I especially agree with.

btw did you know that there's this existing offense?

Drink, such as being "in charge" (i.e. behind the wheel but not driving) of a vehicle while above the alcohol limit

I can see where they're coming from as one has the potential to drive the car, but it seems a bit much to me.

7 proposed changes to penalty points for drivers

The government is considering new penalty point punishments for drivers.

uk.yahoo.com

 

[Retro]

This anti-car attitude is become ever more dystopian - and of course, all these measures are being sold to us as a "benefit".

New housing will no longer be "car-dominated", the government has promised after it released its newest planning guidelines for builders.

Instead, builders and architects will be told to ensure key services such as shops and doctors’ surgeries are within walking distance.

As a result, designers will be told to put "motor vehicles" at the bottom of their list of priorities, behind pedestrians, cyclists and public transport.

Meanwhile, don't you worry, all the VIPs and ultra rich will continue to drive in their expensive cars and be able to park where they like. The hypocrisy stinks.

There was a new housing estate built not too far from me a few years ago which I looked into. There were something like 1000 flats, but only 500 spaces, quite deliberately to discourage car ownership, and none were reserved, so it's quite likely that you get home after a long day at work and be unable to park. Of course, the streets outside all have restricted parking so what do you do, just keep driving round endlessly? They've deliberately made it impossible to live there and have a car.

This stuff should be a scandal, not the prevailing view.

How we park our cars at home is going to change, here's how it will affect you

The government has outlined new guidelines for house builders on cars - here's what it could mean for you.

uk.yahoo.com

 

[Hitcore]

In the RAM thread we have established that commoners won't have access to affordable superior tech, eventually.
Here we can establish that commoners won't have access to affordable superior transportation, eventually.
The same will apply for food, housing, traveling/vacations (especially by plane), and more. Eventually.

In time, commoners will have access to only the most barebones version of these things. You will eat the bug protein paste. You will live in the pod. You will primarily move around by local public transportation.
All these things are connected. All part of the same plan.
You will own nothing, and you will be happy. Do you see it?

 

[Retro]

@Hitcore Yes, I do indeed see it. Alas, we're sliding into a dystopian future of restrictions. It's actually been going on for decades, but has taken on real momentum in the last 10-15 years or so, helped by advances in computer technology that makes imposing these restrictions more efficient and changes in politics, especially "green" politics which are giving a boost to this.

Where's that cosy matrix when you need it?!