Now, I'm sure this has been blogged about many hundreds of times already, but I shall still BOB it anyway.

Yes, this is the headline news that a scheme to introduce a tuk-tuk taxi service to the England capital, London, has been announced.

This idea was greeted with different viewpoints. Mainly from a certain Bob Oddy, who happens to be the general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Driver Association, and Steve Hounsham, of the Transport 2000 research group.

For a while now, tuk-tuks have been used as a delivery vehicle for Chinese restaurants and a patron-transport system for paying customers by a Cumbrian pub landlord.

The main argument is that they aren't safe. According to Mr. Oddy, "these vehicles are very dangerous - all they need is a wee touch to tip over. [Transport for London] shouldn't even consider licensing them."

But what gets me is the secondary argument, by Steve Hounsham: "Tuk-tuks are just a novelty, something out of James Bond."

...

What a stupid thing to say! It's almost like saying "Yes, OK, erm... I don't care! I'm still going to think of a film I've seen these things in... JAMES BOND!"

However, they may be a slight novelty, but aren't novelties where the money is? Look at laser guided melon rockets. A pure novelty! Yet they make millions every year! Novelties are big sellers. Believe me!

Steve Webb, the mastermind behind this company, Tukshop, stated his opinion on Oddy's objections. "When I talk to cabbies, they see me as a competitor. They're not happy because they've seen the future." And that's why Oddy will do "whatever it takes" to get tuk-tuks off the road.

So he sees Oddy to be scared of his 15-strong fleet? I don't think so. That many couldn't even scratch the surface of the amount cabs make each year, it's not possible.

When Bob Oddy heard what Webb had to say, he countered "I won't have to [do whatever it takes.] He can't get [tuk-tuks] on the road. London's not a theme-park [no s#!t!] We don't need Third World transport, thank you very much." Oh! Handbags! He got a bit stroppy towards the end, didn't he?

Personally, I've ridden a tuk-tuk, and they're great. I would just love to see them on British roads!

So far, there's been no decision as to whether to allow Tukshop a license. I say do it! Who cares if a few fares get injured; they're fun to look at!

My, this post was awful! I promise a better one next week. Please don't leave me...