It's today

[confusedcyclist]

all these 'get people on bikes' initiatives will never work until the mindset of car drivers are changed as to how they act around cyclists. The most often heard response to me when I say I cycle to work is 'Isn't it dangerous? I wouldn't cycle to work'. This of course is usually uttered by a car driver.

Not sure I agree, it was the convenience (or lack of) at my old employer that prevented me from cycling in, make it an easier experience overall and I'm sure more will cycle. More road space for cyclists, better designed junctions, safer roads etc would make it more attractive, but if you have nowhere to shower at work, store your stuff, lock up your bike etc, all the well planned roads in the world wouldn't help me get to work.

 

[ianrauk]

Not sure I agree, it was the convenience (or lack of) at my old employer that prevented me from cycling in, make it an easier experience overall and I'm sure more will cycle. More road space for cyclists, better designed junctions, safer roads etc would make it more attractive, but if you have nowhere to shower at work, store your stuff, lock up your bike etc, all the well planned roads in the world wouldn't help me get to work.

As I said in my post... 'the most often heard response to me'.

 

[confusedcyclist]

Sorry, misread your post!

 

[harveymt]

So what these people want are cyclists off the road. Yeah that will work won't it. Get cyclists back in their cars and cause even more congestion. Can't these thick winkers get it in their head that the more cyclists on the road the less cars there are and the better the traffic flow. Bunch of knobs.

The Sustrans guy made this point. The hosts response? 'I refuse to accept that arguement.'

 

[ianrauk]

The Sustrans guy made this point. The hosts response? 'I refuse to accept that arguement.'

It doesn't surprise me in the slightest.
There are people who are so anti-cyclists that there's nothing can be said that would change their mind.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

The local radio phone-in show had a piece on it today. You know it's going to go well when the presenter starts with 'I'm all for cycling but...' I didn't hear a 'Some of my best friends are cyclists' so just missed out on a full house.

Here's some of the gems:

Caller: Tax cyclists like you'd tax a dog. I pay £5 a year for my dog license, why shouldn't cyclists be the same?

Host: Why do cyclists insist on going so fast and not using cycle lanes?
Sus Trans Guy: A lot of the cycle lanes are in bad condition with pot holes or signs/obstacles placed in them. The average speed in Belfast is below 20mph. Cyclists can do 10-15mph so there isn't as big a discrepancy in speed as people think.
Host: Well they should just go slower and ride round the potholes, they're not in The Giro.

Host: The majority of people who are late for work have been held up by cyclists.

Host: I know there's no such thing as road tax but I pay a lot of money to put my car on the road and cyclists pay nothing.


The funny thing was in the ads between segments there was one for McConvey Cycles in town. If I were them I'd be re-assessing my media spend.

@harveymt which radio show was this ? I feel a twitter rant coming

 

[Origamist]

The Sustrans guy made this point. The hosts response? 'I refuse to accept that arguement.'

Well, I'd have replied: "Is that because you're stupid or in denial"

Anyway, I did not cycle in today as it's my bday and I'm getting leathered tonight.

 

[Leaway2]

Usual commute in. No bacon buttie, no tax relief either as the company will not join the scheme .
I may make myself one when I get home.

 

[harveymt]

@harveymt which radio show was this ? I feel a twitter rant coming

Frank Mitchell on U105. NI based station. @franku105

Check out @nigreenways for comment on it.

 

[Jenkins]

Every working day this year bar one has been a cycle to work day.

Today should have been called the only puncture of the year so far on a cycle to work day

 

[Leaway2]

Update, I bought myself a sausage barm this morning.

 

[w00hoo_kent]

I'm worried this topic is now confusingly subject headed. (Although unintentionally accurate).