Myths about cycling, busted

1. Cyclist don't pay road tax ----- Road Tax doesn't exist roads paid for by all kinds of general taxation
   
2. Riding a bike is dangerous ---- Everything carries a risk, accidents per cyclist km are very low
   
3. All cyclists jump red lights ---- Some cyclists are just as annoyed as you about RLJing
   
4. Pavement cycling is dangerous and evil ---- it might not be but it is illegal
   
5. Cyclists must use cycle lanes where they're safer ---- Recent CTC campaign stopped this becoming law
   
6. The best way to be safe is to wear a helmet ---- lots of preventative steps you can take also see 2
   
7. Cycle training is only for n00bs ;) ---- Actually can be enlightening, i'm sure someone has some stats on this too
   
8. Cyclists should keep to the left out of the path of cars ----- no, take the primary position.
   
9. It's OK for motorists to stop in a cyclist ASL -----
   
10. Cyclists should get registration plates, insurance and licenses ---- No (cost and lost health benefit outweigh gain)
    
11. Cyclists should be made to wear lycra and day glo jackets ---- drivers should look where they are going
    
12. Most bike accidents are the cyclists' fault ----
    
13. Badly ridden bicycles present the same threat as badly driven cars ---- Force = mass x acceleration
    
14. Cyclists should be segregated from traffic ----
    
15. red light jumping on a bike is really dangerous ----
    
16. Speed limits apply to cyclists ---- they don't but there are offences such as cycling furiously etc
    17 Cyclists should obey all rules that pertain to car drivers (e.g. one way streets) ----
    18 bikes should have a bell ---- only need a audible alert and most of us can shout
    
17. you can be arrested for being drunk in charge of a bike ----
    

18. On a bike it's best to filter to the front of the queue at lights down the left ---- filtering can be dangerous / legally overtaking is done on the right in most situations.

19. flashing bike lights are not legal ---- that used to be the case until 21st October 2005, at which point the law changed to allow them.

20. wearing a helmet is a good idea ---- ooh, controversial!

21. It's difficult to find a place to park your bike in central London

(I've found 23 is a surprisingly common reason given when people are explaining why they don't cycle)