Cyclists on BBC R5live

[gaz]

- Infrastructure. The guy said he wanted more money spend on infrastructure. I suspect he means segregated cycle paths to free up the roads for cars, but it'd be interesting to clarify this with him.

He did mean that, he said that it should be like oil and water, they don't mix.

 

[As Easy As Riding A Bike]

He did mean that, he said that it should be like oil and water, they don't mix.

I rather suspect that is because he is more preoccupied about his progress on the road being uninterrupted (or perceived to be so), rather than out of any concern for the conditions for cyclists. But I could be wrong.

 

[As Easy As Riding A Bike]

- "heated debate" - really? I thought it was quite disappointingly calm.

That is the heading the BBC have given the video - I mentioned it purely because it is suggestive of what is being aimed for, namely the "confrontational" style that so much of the media thinks will draw in viewers.

But I agree that it was not really that "heated" at all.

 

[mgarl10024]

I rather suspect that is because he is more preoccupied about his progress on the road being uninterrupted (or perceived to be so), rather than out of any concern for the conditions for cyclists.

I suspect that you're right. But, perhaps surprisingly, I also suspect that he's (half) right.

The trouble is that nowadays (sounding old!) life is so busy and time so precious, that people are rushing around and are likely only focused on their progress. This is where drivers get impatient quickly with a slower moving vehicles that imped them - cyclists, or even elderly drivers.
While this continues, I often feel that whilst I have a right to be on them, that some main roads are too quick and too dangerous, and so see his oil/water part.

Instead, it would be nicer if the roads were more empty, life was slower, and people would therefore have more patience behind the wheel. Until that happens, we need to find a solution to sharing the roads better - and that brings me back to education again (of both the driver and the cyclist).

 

[skudupnorth]

Do they still do cycling proficiency at school ? My kids do dancing,music ect but i have not seen anything about cycling which we did in the 70's (i still have my badge in a box somewhere ! ) I know that i would be very wary of letting my kids on the road on a bike from my experiences commuting every day which i feel sometimes is a constant battle..hence defensive riding.

The guy on the show tarred all cyclists with the same brush with stupid comments about red light jumping ect,that was just rubbish ! He never mentioned any bad behaviour by his fellow motorists that run red lights,drive so close to cyclists that you feel the draft before they pass you and of course kill and maime other road users.He was blinkered in his views the same way a lot (not all) motorists are that we should not be allowed to be on "their" roads.....not our roads !

 

[As Easy As Riding A Bike]

He is half right. However, I notice that Rayner is contradicting himself.

He wants more infrastructure for cyclists (this is something I want to see too, principally because it does make conditions safer for cyclists, especially those who are new to cycling, and also because, in urban areas, it should, properly conceived, actually take physical space away from motor vehicles).

But at the same time, he is banging on about the problem being "accountability". Well, if cyclists are away from the road, surely there is no need for accountability?

Frankly, it looks like he is just throwing a load of arguments up in the air and seeing which ones will fly.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Sustrans is not and never will be a campaigning organisation, but the CTC has a campaigning wing, which could do with more support from the grass roots membership around the country. Are you doing your bit?
Unfortunately a lot of hard work over a long period is required, a walk down a London street would be the easy bit.

CTC gives naff all support to local groups, its right to ride volunteer network has been badly run and it is so overly dependent on government contracts that one might suggest it is not going to rock the boat much and certainly will not be mobilising a whole bunch of local campaigners who, experience suggests, will insist on singing from a different hymn sheet to HQ. Add to that, the CTC's largely vehicular agenda which alienates a load of segregationist cyclists and if Bob was your uncle he'd have no balls. Besides the CTC leadership is far too busy concentrating on the charity debate to actual do anything much worthwhile.

Has the CTC fighting fund written one single letter, or launched a petition, or organised a rally, to pressure the DoPP to carry out a review of sentencing policy? If they have why hasn't it been highlighted in the magazine or email newsletter?

 

[dellzeqq]

STOP! STOP RIGHT NOW!

click this link

http://www.metacafe....r_on_the_shore/

2 minutes and fifty seconds later.....

1. Cycling is a great bringer of joy. Those that don't cycle, like Mr. Rayner, are missing out.
2. We get around town faster and in better shape than car drivers.
3. We're prettier than car drivers
4. We're more intelligent than car drivers
5. We're more sexually active than car drivers
6. We're fitter than car drivers
7. We make far less of a mess of the planet than car drivers
8. (it has to be said) Mr. Rayner is not long for this world unless he gets a hold of that body soon.
9. Repeat item 1

and if you feel that strongly about motorists, get a muvi camera and send the videos of errant drivers to the police. They'll get the hang of it eventually.

 

[Vikeonabike]

It would appear that Rayners motoring journer credentials are more of the Boy Racer type. Fast Lane and Max Power. Seems he is more of an ICE expert than a motoring expert too!
So the BBC didn't actually bring in a motoring expert after all!

 

[perplexed]

Did anyone else notice the body language?

She leans away from him all the time.

The usual rubbish from an ill informed "motoring journalist".

 

[mark barker]

Do they still do cycling proficiency at school ? My kids do dancing,music ect but i have not seen anything about cycling which we did in the 70's (i still have my badge in a box somewhere ! ) I know that i would be very wary of letting my kids on the road on a bike from my experiences commuting every day which i feel sometimes is a constant battle..hence defensive riding.

Some schools do, although most LEAs have moved towards the Bikeability training as that tends to train the kids in real world situations rather than around cones in a playground.

 

[skudupnorth]

Some schools do, although most LEAs have moved towards the Bikeability training as that tends to train the kids in real world situations rather than around cones in a playground.

Interesting...i'm going to ask about it for my terrors ! My eldest (6) is very good on trails but my 5 year old would be the one that worried me if she ever went on a road and my two youngest are not ready for anything two wheeled yet !

 

[mark barker]

Most schools offer Bikeability to year 6 pupils, so yours will have a bit of a wait...

 

[Simba]

http://www.bbc.co.uk...ast_10_01_2011/

2 hours 22 mins in approx

Ahem... c*ck!


Found this, was this the Beeb news this morning? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12149696

Just watched that.. that Rayner is such a massive, massive c*ck.

I turned it off half way through for fear of trying to jump into my monitor and smash his ignorant head in.

 

[snorri]

Did anyone else notice the body language?
She leans away from him all the time.
The usual rubbish from an ill informed "motoring journalist".

Little wonder, if he had rolled over she would have been dead!
Agreed on the "motoring journalist", sadly the media seem to look on these guys as experts on road transport issues.