R4 You and Yours Bike - Bike shortages

[Crankarm]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/youandyours/items/04/2009_28_fri.shtml


Featuring Compton cycles in Catford, Londoon and some one from Pashley Cycles.

Programme for muppets. First item to discuss when in bike shop was buying a helmet......

Total muppetry.

 

[wafflycat]

It was muppetry in other ways to. Apparently there are only two companies making cycles in the UK, Pashley & Brompton... And apparently it's not really possible to do your own bicycle maintenance at home as bikes are complicated things these days... An email has been sent to politely point out the error of their ways.

 

[g00se]

I Heard that Pashley were the only company in the UK to build bikes purely of of British components. Does any one know if this is true?

 

[wafflycat]

Dunno, but it's certainly not, along with Brommie, the only company to be building cycles.

Edit: They use Sturmey Archer gears - they would appear not to be British anymore as the factory is in Taiwan

 

[MajorMantra]

And apparently it's not really possible to do your own bicycle maintenance at home as bikes are complicated things these days.

I didn't think the piece was too silly until that comment. A bike shop owner doesn't really do himself any favours by perpetuating that particular myth - it's just one more thing to intimidate those who are less technically inclined.

Matthew

 

[Davidc]

I heard it, and was sufficiently annoyed to send a complaint via the BBC web site.

I don't know if there's a bike shortage, so didn't comment, but complained about the poor research issues of ignoring at least 60% of British manufacturers, and suggesting that bikes can't be maintained at home when it's easier now than at any time in the past 40 years.

 

[Yellow Fang]

There seem to be plenty of bikes in our local bike shops. As far as bikes made in Britain, Pashleys and Bromptons are the only ones I can think of that aren't outrageously expensive, and even they are pricey enough.

 

[HJ]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/youandyours/items/04/2009_28_fri.shtml


Featuring Compton cycles in Catford, Londoon and some one from Pashley Cycles.

Programme for muppets. First item to discuss when in bike shop was buying a helmet......

Total muppetry.

Nothing like good old Y&Y to carry on perpetuating myths for vested interests, this cast the bike trade. First you have to wear a helmet, no you don't they just want you to buy more, which given the very high profit margins is not surprising. Then bike are far to complicated to service at home, since when?? Just more typically ill informed consumer journalism, how do these people justify their salaries?

The only bit which is true, which they skirted arround, is that there is a cycling boom going on, not just here, but across the whole of Europe...

 

[TwickenhamCyclist]

I Listen to R4 quite a bit – but missed this particular piece. It has taken me several years to realise that Y&Y is actually a consumer rights prog, not a comedy based on Down The Line or Alan Partridge etc. Try listening to it as a comedy; it gets better - “Last week in Devon, little Timmy was making an Airfix model plane in his bedroom when the ceiling collapsed, and now Airfix are refusing to take responsibility…”

 

[Crankarm]

The BBC have an unhealthy anthipy of cycling. Research for articles and programmes is often poor and gives a misleading or partial picture. Cycling is often portrayed as a mildy amusing anachronism or as a hazardous activity pursued by eccentrics or TdF riders. I don't believe any of the editors or producers it employs or uses have ever ridden a bicycle.

 

[downfader]

..why are the BBC still using that piggin' real player. No one uses it anymore - flash has all but killed it off, has it not!?

I agree with Crankarm here - the Beeb, despite the fact that due to their "green policy" about a 10th of their work force cycle in (including notable presenters), have been pretty anti-cyling in the past.

 

[sheddy]

The BBCs interest in cycling is precisley...............zero
Where is their regular cycling series ? (either on TV or Radio)

 

[downfader]

The BBCs interest in cycling is precisley...............zero
Where is their regular cycling series ? (either on TV or Radio)

TBH I dont think they need a regular cycling spot. No channel does. The car ones are done out of entertainment and because the majority of people over 20 drive in some capacity.

The beauty of cycling is that we dont need it.

 

[Bigtwin]

This was on You and Yours people.

Regular devotees of the Forth Programme will know only too well that it's utter drivel at least 90% of the time.

I've never noticed the BBC being anti-cycling. But cycling on the wireless is rather pointless and uninteresting. There's not much motoring on the wireless either come to that.

They show the odd bit of CX racing, MTB etc. The point is, even to many that do cycle, watching it is paint drying stuff. Unless you are interested in racing (a minority sport by a long way in this nation), it's pretty dull. Any by number, those interested in BMX and MTB are run away winners.

 

[Davidc]

When I get a reply to my complaint I'll copy and post it. The last time I complained it was technical and they acted (but that was my side of the business when I worked in it). I doubt I'll get any more than a brush off!