Obviously I'll be lying (again) or getting it 'out of context' (again) if I say I heard Jon Snow say in that programme, of folk new to cycling, that they won't be aware "...of quite how dangerous it is." Or if I say I heard him say that motorists are absolutely right to feel frustrated about cyclists as we're extremely badly behaved, or that of cars and bikes on roads, cars are "not a good mix with the bicycle" or that London streets are not designed for cycling as they are normal streets; how cyclists need to be cautious and aggressive (note, aggressive, not assertive). The thing was a picture of how dangerous cycling is and how badly behaved cyclists are and how we need to be separated from cars and able to jump red lights.
So there we have it, the president of the CTC publicly stating how dangerous cycling is and how bikes and cars should be separated (cars and bikes not a good mix) and how we should be able to jump red lights to turn left. Well, thanks. I've never felt the need to be aggressive when cycling. I'm assertive, yes, but never aggressive, which hints at being badly behaved rather than simply being confident about cycling. Nor do I cycle in a way that's badly behaved in I've never felt the need to jump a red light (on a left turn or any other) and if it was so damn dangerous as made out, I wouldn't want to get on a bike in the first place. Yes it can be hazardous, but there are ways to deal with the hazards, and there are a lot of benefits which outweigh said hazards, and how a new cyclist can pick up the skills to do this, and how there are reasons why cyclists might be cycling in the middle of the lane, and how most of the time, motorists aren't actually out to get us etc. etc. So how about putting across cycling in a positive light instead of emphasising how 'dangerous' it is? How about mentioning driver education? Adult cycle training? Health benefits? Fun? Yes, cycling usually is enjoyable! Yes, there's the odd hairy moment, but there's the odd hairy moment in life when not cycling too. Why on earth would a member of the public want to consider taking up cycling when the president of the CTC is telling them it's dangerous?
When Mr Snow came out with similar comments to what he's made in this programme, prior to taking up the presidency of the CTC and I queried this, I was made out to be a liar and a fool and of course he'd never have said such things... from various people and the bastards know who they are who made me out to be a liar back then. But I wasn't lying. And in this programme he is saying similar theme to what was said back then.