In the UK, owners of vehicles that produce poisonous emissions are required to pay Vehicle Excise Duty. Bicycles do not, and are hence exempt. Motor vehicles ca

In the UK, owners of vehicles that produce poisonous emissions are required to pay Vehicle Excise Duty. Bicycles do not, and are hence exempt. Motor vehicles causing crashes, being stolen, damaged etc., cause a significant cost. A crash on the motorway can result in over GBP10,000 costs just to the carriageway, let alone if five cars and a truck are involved. A bicycle involved in a crash very rarely causes such damage. In the UK cyclists have an equal voice because the highways exist for them to use just as they exist for pedestrians, horse riders and motorists. This is enshrined in law so is a statutory right. Trivia fact: The cost of construction and upkeep of "motorways" (roads dedicated to motor vehicle traffic) outstrips the total income from VED year-on-year. In the UK, if you use a bicycle but never a car, you are subsidising motor travel.