Vicky speaks truth

[magnatom]

That's actually a really good idea, but Victoria Pendleton isn't the one to contact. You should suggest the idea to the BBC who, if they thought it was a good idea, would ask Victoria if she was willing to do it.



It's worth a try though isn't it! I would stalk her if I had the chance.

Mmm. Does anyone know anyone at the BBC who could look into this. All I ask is that I get a credit at the end!

 

[MessenJah]

Just write to the news/sport department with the suggestion, making sure you mention that MEN article...

Or write to the BBC breakfast (she was on there last year saying how bad drivers ruin her rides)

If you are going to do it, do it quick, before she's no longer newsworthy.

 

[Mr Pig]

That's actually a really good idea.

Yes, it is. Go for it dude.

 

[magnatom]

I'm happy to contact them, but who and where should I contact. The contact e-mails on the BBC site seem very general and not looking for suggestions or ideas. If I know where to contact I will give it a go tomorrow.

 

[MessenJah]

Isn't there normally a phone number on BBC's breakfast show... or at the end of the local news or something?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/breakfast/1818774.stm <--- contact breakfast

 

[gavintc]

I'm happy to contact them, but who and where should I contact. The contact e-mails on the BBC site seem very general and not looking for suggestions or ideas. If I know where to contact I will give it a go tomorrow.

The alternative is to contact BC and make the proposal to them. They have media contacts.

 

[magnatom]

Ok I've sent an e-mail to breakfast at BBC. I'll maybe send a few other e-mails off tomorrow. We'll see.

 

[magnatom]

So I've sent an e-mail to BBC breakfast, British Cycling and a firm that represents Victoria. Here is the gist of what I wrote (changed for each e-mail of course!)

I have been a commuting cyclist for 3 years now and I have tried over that time to cycle as safely and within the law as best I can. However, over that time I have also faced many instances where, through the actions of others on the road, I have felt my safety has been compromised. As a result I decided to start using a helmet camera to record the sort of incidents I have faced during my daily commutes on my bike in Glasgow. (http://uk.youtube.com/user/magnatom)

As a result of all of these videos I have received publicity, fortunately all of it positive from the STV (http://www.stv.tv/info/news/20080324/Vigilante_cyclist_shames_Glasgow_drivers_2008032), the Sun Scottish edition, Reporting Scotland (BBC), Radio Scotland (
View: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=pljyDdUG9Q0
), and very recently in the Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jul/24/healthandwellbeing).

There is certaibly a news story in the use of helmet cameras.

However, what has encouraged me to contact you, was a report I read on our recent Olympic gold medallist Victoria Pendleton (http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1064513_drivers_make_my_life_hell). Here she suggests that she constantly faces poor driving on her training sessions on the streets of Manchester.

What if Victoria, was to agree to take part in some publicity (either on Breakfast itself, or in a separate documentary) where she wears a helmet camera (similar to myself) and shows the footage on TV showing the type of incidents she faces. I think this would produce very interesting TV. It would also highlight the sort of issues that cyclists face on the roads in a very topical way, that might make drivers think twice about cutting cyclists up (who would want to be caught on camera driving badly by an olympic gold medal cyclist!).

I think this idea encompasses two very topical subjects, the success of the Olympians and the environment which they have to train in for the forthcoming 2012 Olympics, and cycling safety in general (and the use of helmet cameras by cyclists which is increasing).
Apart from my notoriety in using a helmet camera whilst cycling I am of no interest to the media. Yet I have received a fair amount of press. Imagine then the interest in an olympic gold medallist doing the same.

I hope that you will consider my idea, as it will not only be very newsworthy, but it will hopefully help with road safety for many road users by at least igniting the debate.

Thank you for your time.

It'll probably come to nothing, but it was worth a punt.

 

[Riding in Circles]

You media whore.

 

[magnatom]

You media whore.

Aye, but it has all been for a good cause. Anyway, on this occasion I'm not seeking publicity, I can just see an oppertunity to get the cyclists point of view across in a way that Joe Public might just listen to.

Not only is she now a very popular celebrity, but quite a nice looking one at that. I have a feeling that drivers would listen to what she has to say a little more than they listen to me!


(I should point out that the majority of it happened without any intervention from me. Chek out the cyclechat blog, or my own - see my signature)

 

[ChrisKH]

[Pedant] Certaibly isn't in the dictionary to my knowledge [Pedant]

Nice work otherwise. I suppose you'll be wanting to do a personal camera fitting for Victoria?

 

[Cab]

Not only is she now a very popular celebrity, but quite a nice looking one at that. I have a feeling that drivers would listen to what she has to say a little more than they listen to me!

She's most easy on the eye, a great plus from a TV perspective, and she's a sporting heroine now. So, yes, great idea!

 

[spindrift]

Just lovely:

 

[Arch]

I just wanted to make clear, BTW, I wasn't dissing Victoria, or claiming SHE thought she was more important than any other cyclist, it was just the fact that unless someone like her says it, no one cares, and also the suggestion that if velodromes were in rural areas there would be less problem, which is fine for cyclists based at at velodromes, but not much use to me personally...

Let's hope the camera idea catches on!

 

[Mr Pig]

Good work. It's a great idea, so I doubt they'll do it! :0(