Cyclists demonised in paper, todays metro

Mattyfez · Post by **Mattyfez** » 6 Jan 2017, 9:55am

Makes me so angry, why refer to a mindless thug as a cyclist, just because he had a cycle with him at the time?

pjclinch · Post by **pjclinch** » 6 Jan 2017, 10:07am

Because the cycling (on the footpath, where he shouldn't have been cycling) is actually a relevant part of the story.

I don't see it's painting all of us as folk who'll stab pensioners who point out we're breaking the law.

Steady rider · Post by **Steady rider** » 6 Jan 2017, 10:51am

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@50.79237 ... 6656?hl=en

Looking at the road, the pavements are wide, the cycle lane fairly narrow on at least one side, not sure of precise location of incident. A sad situation leading to a death. I think this is the location see
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@50.79235 ... m6!1e1!3m4
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@50.79235 ... 6656?hl=en
.

The utility cyclist · Post by **The utility cyclist** » 6 Jan 2017, 4:07pm

If the victim had been wearing a helmet surely they would still be alive, only got themselves to blame... :roll:

This type of reporting will always fan the flames, we already know that people liken people on bikes to devils spawn. This isn't even a cycling statistic is it, the act did not happen whilst the person was actually cycling but the media will use any opportunity to bash cycling and people on bikes and yes the general public do take this on board and paint 'us' all with the same brush.

RIP to the victim and his family, no way to die.

gaz · Post by **gaz** » 6 Jan 2017, 4:28pm

pjclinch wrote:Because the cycling (on the footpath, where he shouldn't have been cycling) is actually a relevant part of the story.

I don't see it's painting all of us as folk who'll stab pensioners who point out we're breaking the law.

+1

Bonefishblues · Post by **Bonefishblues** » 6 Jan 2017, 5:43pm

The Metro headline is more accurate than yours, OP.

landsurfer · Post by **landsurfer** » 6 Jan 2017, 5:44pm

gaz wrote:
pjclinch wrote:Because the cycling (on the footpath, where he shouldn't have been cycling) is actually a relevant part of the story.

I don't see it's painting all of us as folk who'll stab pensioners who point out we're breaking the law.

+1

+2

661-Pete · Post by **661-Pete** » 6 Jan 2017, 5:48pm

I don't see anything wrong with the article. I see a great deal wrong with the cyclist's behaviour, and the sentence seems quite appropriate - lenient, even.

We have to accept that when someone commits a crime whilst, or just after, riding a bicycle, they're going to be referred to as a 'cyclist' in the crime report. That's not 'demonisation' as I see it.

reohn2 · Post by **reohn2** » 6 Jan 2017, 6:12pm

The utility cyclist wrote:If the victim had been wearing a helmet surely they would still be alive, only got themselves to blame...

crass in the extreme

This type of reporting will always fan the flames, we already know that people liken people on bikes to devils spawn.

To some people that's true,but then some people will consider any other groups of 'outsiders' to be "devils spawn",including pensioners and the disabled.

This isn't even a cycling statistic is it, the act did not happen whilst the person was actually cycling but the media will use any opportunity to bash cycling and people on bikes and yes the general public do take this on board and paint 'us' all with the same brush.

It's a cycling story,someone's cycling on the pavement causing an obstruction is tackled for it by someone more vulnerable than them and this is how they react.
Does the story sound familiar if you substitute cyclist for motorist and pedestrian for cyclist?

RIP to the victim and his family, no way to die.

You got there in the end.

landsurfer · Post by **landsurfer** » 6 Jan 2017, 6:15pm

reohn2 wrote:
The utility cyclist wrote:If the victim had been wearing a helmet surely they would still be alive, only got themselves to blame...
crass in the extreme

This type of reporting will always fan the flames, we already know that people liken people on bikes to devils spawn.

To some people that's true,but then some people will consider any other groups of 'outsiders' to be "devils spawn".

This isn't even a cycling statistic is it, the act did not happen whilst the person was actually cycling but the media will use any opportunity to bash cycling and people on bikes and yes the general public do take this on board and paint 'us' all with the same brush.

It's a cycling story,someone's cycling on the pavement causing an obstruction is tackled for it by someone more vulnerable than them and this is how they react.
Does the story sound familiar if you substitute cyclist for motorist and pedestrian for cyclist?

RIP to the victim and his family, no way to die.

You got there in the end.

+1 ..

reohn2 · Post by **reohn2** » 6 Jan 2017, 6:17pm

Mattyfez wrote:Makes me so angry, why refer to a mindless thug as a cyclist, just because he had a cycle with him at the time?

Person on bike = cyclist,pretty obvious.
Thug yes,but also a cyclist too.

Mattyfez · Post by **Mattyfez** » 6 Jan 2017, 6:19pm

The aggressor could have been vegetarian for all we know, but sadly the headline didn't read 'vegetarian kills veteran'.

So we'll never know the full extent of how aggressive vegetarians can be.

Heltor Chasca · Post by **Heltor Chasca** » 6 Jan 2017, 6:20pm

reohn2 wrote:
The utility cyclist wrote:If the victim had been wearing a helmet surely they would still be alive, only got themselves to blame...
crass in the extreme

This type of reporting will always fan the flames, we already know that people liken people on bikes to devils spawn.

To some people that's true,but then some people will consider any other groups of 'outsiders' to be "devils spawn",including pensioners and the disabled.

This isn't even a cycling statistic is it, the act did not happen whilst the person was actually cycling but the media will use any opportunity to bash cycling and people on bikes and yes the general public do take this on board and paint 'us' all with the same brush.

It's a cycling story,someone's cycling on the pavement causing an obstruction is tackled for it by someone more vulnerable than them and this is how they react.
Does the story sound familiar if you substitute cyclist for motorist and pedestrian for cyclist?

RIP to the victim and his family, no way to die.

You got there in the end.

My thoughts exactly. +1 No cheap laughs from me [emoji107]

reohn2 · Post by **reohn2** » 6 Jan 2017, 6:26pm

Mattyfez wrote:The aggressor could have been vegetarian for all we know, but sadly the headline didn't read 'vegetarian kills veteran'.

So we'll never know the full extent of how aggressive vegetarians can be.

But what we do know is that he was a cyclist and a thug,that's all we need to know in the context of the offence he's committed.
What he had for dinner is irrelevant,as is the colour of his hair,eyes,skin,religion,height,etc,etc.

Heltor Chasca · Post by **Heltor Chasca** » 6 Jan 2017, 6:32pm

Mattyfez wrote:The aggressor could have been vegetarian for all we know, but sadly the headline didn't read 'vegetarian kills veteran'.

So we'll never know the full extent of how aggressive vegetarians can be.

I really don't think this is an opportunity to try out your inappropriate sense of humour. [emoji107]

If your reasons as a 'cyclist' and OP, aren't about genuine concern for media labelling or the victim; then being a 'cyclist' is exactly the label I don't want. Your opinions on a terrible incident do not represent me.

Sincerely,

A person who uses a bike.

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