The morality of cycling

[slowmotion]

But I did like the quotable quote "Driving's becoming the new smoking".

Yep, the programme sounds like utter shite.

 

[Boris Bajic]

I heard the programme while cooking. I usually quite like Thinking Allowed, but found that piece a little samey and tired.

I cycle and drive; I love to do both. I've never thought in terms of one group or the other occupying the moral high ground. The show had a lot to try and say in very little time and it ended up being the aural equivalent of Painting by Numbers.

Neither group (nor their massive Venn intersection) has ever had the moral high ground, nor will it. There is nothing to gain or regain.

Some drivers and some cyclists are fools or worse, but the spectrum of relative foolishness is something that enriches the lives of others. I'd hate to live among perfect people all the time. My family are close to it, but can be a little noisy when eating apples...

I giggle when some of my acquaintances appear to assume that by riding and encouraging my children to ride, I am demonstrating a social or pro-planet agenda of one kind or another.

I'm not. I just love the thrill of being on the road (or off road) and I want my loved ones to get the same buzz.

 

[yello]

A short but interesting piece. Perhaps not too much that might have surprised anyone, the tensions are evident to anyone that has cycled in London and it's not too difficult to surmise what underlies them when you consider what gets hollered!

I personally found the independence aspect interesting and would have liked more on that. That is, the car promises independence and rarely delivers whereas the bicycle seems to be the epitome of it. This perhaps leads to a dichotomy within the driver; having bought into a false dream then seeing the cyclist rub salt into the wound by sailing past.

Btw, that quote ('the new smoking') was from one lady's daughter. Intended to be both amusing and indicative of a train of thought or perhaps trend - but not a summary of the program.

 

[Smokin Joe]

But I did like the quotable quote "Driving's becoming the new smoking". Can't come soon enough, imho.

What a load of crap.

Cyclists who claim the moral high ground make even me have an anti cyclist moment and make everyone else think we're just a bunch of tree hugging nutters.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

A short but interesting piece. Perhaps not too much that might have surprised anyone, the tensions are evident to anyone that has cycled in London and it's not too difficult to surmise what underlies them when you consider what gets hollered!

I personally found the independence aspect interesting and would have liked more on that. That is, the car promises independence and rarely delivers whereas the bicycle seems to be the epitome of it. This perhaps leads to a dichotomy within the driver; having bought into a false dream then seeing the cyclist rub salt into the wound by sailing past.

Btw, that quote ('the new smoking') was from one lady's daughter. Intended to be both amusing and indicative of a train of thought or perhaps trend - but not a summary of the program.

That's exactly what got my attention but frustratingly the programme drifted away from it the second I really started listening.

 

[Nigel-YZ1]

A short but interesting piece. Perhaps not too much that might have surprised anyone, the tensions are evident to anyone that has cycled in London and it's not too difficult to surmise what underlies them when you consider what gets hollered!

I personally found the independence aspect interesting and would have liked more on that. That is, the car promises independence and rarely delivers whereas the bicycle seems to be the epitome of it. This perhaps leads to a dichotomy within the driver; having bought into a false dream then seeing the cyclist rub salt into the wound by sailing past.

Btw, that quote ('the new smoking') was from one lady's daughter. Intended to be both amusing and indicative of a train of thought or perhaps trend - but not a summary of the program.

That's an interesting idea, but not quite what goes on in my head.

For me driving and cycling have two different purposes.
My car gives me the independence I desire. I can go anywhere, any distance and at any time I like. The false dream I have bought into is the manufacturers' promise (but I won't go into that right now).
My bikes give me enjoyment through my own effort, through places that my car doesn't go. It's more of a freedom of the soul sort of thing. I have no destination, only the enjoyment of the journey.
But then I rarely cycle for transport, plus I'm a driver and a cyclist.