Is there anything we can do about Ken?

mattgt · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Karma :

Ken, you are a twat. I read in this morning's free standard that he plans to officially extend the charging zone to bikes.

The reasons stated, to me, don't quite make sense. There is always going to be traffic in London, its a big busy city. Surely if you stop people coming to work then the city slows down etc? Personally I drive my bike into work because I refuse to pay the ridiculous prices of transport. Driving works out at about £15 A WEEK cheaper. This is not an invitation to take £5 a day from me because I'm trying to save. Another stated reason is that there are too many of us crashing. Ok, bikes crash as dicks / chavs drive like idiots around other idiots. Even though bike related deaths(it says) have dropped about 160 since last year, Mr Bigtwat says that his 'target' of less deaths can only be reached with bike charging. Nothing like more bike awareness programmes etc, twould be a silly idea.

Also, I enjoy riding my bike. And some fucking twat decides he wants more money (the charge is going up to £8 a day. This no doubt will coincide with higher public transport costs to trap more money) and I am fucking pissed.

After this no doubt in the future I will be approached by a copper:

"Excuse me sir, I have been informed by the chip in my brain / hand computer device which gets its energy from my heart, that you have not paid today's air congestion charge. I'm afraid you are contributing unnecessarily to central London pollution, without paying. I will be forced to escort you out of the country" - or words to that effect.

Is there anything we can do? I know if it does come into place then I'll have to sell my bike as I won't have enough time / money to keep my passion going. Do others feel as strongly as I do?

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Drive by shooting.
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Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

Anyone fancy moving to France with me???

Good country, nice roads Cool

and better weather.. only problem is all the french people but I'm sure we can put up with that for the nicer roads! Laughing

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mattgt · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Karma :

There must be a huge number of bikers in England. If we all moved to France, we could take over a large area and call it the new England. Thus we have nice roads, nicer weather and no twats telling us what to do.

Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Its already been done...

https://www.7blueseas.com/destinations/images/map_canadanewengland.jpg

New Britain though... that could work... Thinking

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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

yambabe · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Move yourself and/or your employment out of London. When it becomes a ghost town perhaps he'll realise........

No congestion charging oop norf! Thumbs Up

Also, join your local MAG/BMF group, and encourage your reps to lobby on your behalf.
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El_Bandido · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Karma :

Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

El_Bandido · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Karma :

yeah sh lived there for a bit. I wouldmove to new zealand. thats my favourite place Thumbs Up

but the mrs wants to be nearer to her familly Rolling Eyes

Also you can work anywhere in europe Thumbs Up

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The#Doctor# · Spanner Monkey Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Karma :

Does anyone know any more deatails about this bike congestion charge thing when he would plan to bring it in etc

Thought the whole point of the CONGESTION charge was to reduce congestion surely he is oposing the goverment inicitive to get more people on bikes and scooters?

tokarev · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Jan 2005 Karma :

How about peacefull protest;

Everyone in London who has a bike, park them across all the entrances to the congestion charge zones, until people start to see our point of view. Only letting emergency services through. It would bring London to a standstill. Twisted Evil

I am serious though, i will protest against it.

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Finglonga · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Karma :

Send him a e-mail if he gets enough he will take notice.

Ken Livingstone
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JonB · Afraid of Mileage Joined: 03 Jun 2004 Karma :

Damn, just as I decided today I will be likely to be studying at Westminster Uni. Doh!

Grrr at Ken. Mad

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Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

froggy128 · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Karma :

or set up a political party. Am sure its easy to do!

Then make all the roads bike friendly - make everyone whos trying to pass there car test have to have a month on a bike/scooter first

m99dws · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Jun 2004 Karma :

EuropeanNC30R... · Gay Hairdresser Joined: 20 Jun 2002 Karma :

Burn him

Aikman666 · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Dec 2004 Karma :

Ive seen a device that fits over your numberplate, that blurs your plate number when you hit the switch, best of all, its basicly invisible to passers by, and therefore the cameras cant record your numberplate
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The#Doctor# · Spanner Monkey Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Karma :

EuropeanNC30R... · Gay Hairdresser Joined: 20 Jun 2002 Karma :

It'd be a thoroughly enjoyable day out Smile

Git · Brolly Dolly Joined: 17 Dec 2003 Karma :

I think he needs a deluxe prostitute barbie.

musclebiker · Nova Slayer Joined: 21 Mar 2005 Karma :

Zoffo · Brolly Dolly Joined: 01 Feb 2005 Karma :

Kens doing an excellent job. Hope he continues in his present position till he retires.

Keep him the fuck out of Cumbria

Major_Grooves · The Doctor Joined: 10 May 2002 Karma :

I think some protesting/civil disobedience would help. Ride-slows, like what the farmers have done in the past. It would have to be sustained though. Would need a huge amount of organising and support from all bike quarters and the press. Wouldn't happen in this country though. People are too conformist and nice.

Anyway that report was in the Evening Standard which is notoriously anti-Ken so they are probably just twisting some rumour to turn another minority group (first the Jews, now us) against him.
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