Attitudes to cyclists

[Rabbits]

Dear Sir/Madam

I do not know if any CTC members saw the Jonathan Ross show some weeks ago. Whilst interviewing Sheila Hancock he asked her what she really disliked. To my horror, she replied with such venom how she HATED CYCLISTS, I HATE BLODDY CYCLISTS she added.

They both then went into a most hated attack on cyclists, discussing the best way to bring a cyclist off their cycles - ie., sticking a stick between their spokes, jumping out in front of them etc.

To cut a long story short, an email to the Jonathan Ross show produced no response.

I then wrote to Sheila Hancock suggesting that in a prominent and responsible position on TV she should not take advantage of that position to incite dangerous antics against a group of people.

Her reply was unbelievably ignorant, showing no remorse for her remarks. The letter was not worthy of another reply.

J.B.

[John S]

La Hancock has been ranting like this before. She once went into cyclist-rant-mode on "Just a minute" and was firmly slapped down the other panellists and Nicholas Parsons.

[Pinky]

It is just typical of motorists attitudes to cyclists -- BUT it is in part due to cyclists themselves. I cycle as part of my training about 100 miles every week but I see more people cyling on the pavemens than on road on all my town runs. Are they not breaking the law?

I look forward to arriving in Strasbourg on 22 May for 8 weeks cycling in Europe where motorist actually see cyclists.
I have thought that, if I don a horse costume, motorist might take a wider berth!

I confess that I take some little satisfaction when a motorist that has cut me up has to stop at a traffic light and I can hammer on his roof and kick his door panel in!

I have also had "break downs" immediately in front of dangerous drivers so that they could not move forward.

It seems a pity but unless the law is more exact and supportive of none motorised road users then this sort of behaviour by cyclists is necessary.
I do obey all road and traffic signs but watch motorists jumping lights , ignoring speed limits ad infinitum -- and that is not just the "boy racers"

But as I said earlier there are many faults by "cyclists" as well!

Trevor A Panther
in South Yorkshire

[mel]

I watched that Johnathan Ross show once...what a moron? We have to pay for that rubbish with out TV licence fee.

[mick]

I feel comfortable with what they say. it just legitmises and justifies my loathing for some car drivers.

Makes me feel less gulty.

[tomjw]

People get really angry sitting alone in their cars because of traffic jams. It is crazy that to go anywhere they have to take a ton of metal and four spare seats with them everywhere - what do they expect ?

They complain about cyclists being too slow but cars occupy pobably 6 X as much road space and spend most of the time parked i.e at a standstill.

My current most loathed vehicle - the Porsche Cayenne.

[patmac]

Hancock represents an attitude that's out there, and is never going to change. Don't let it get to you or you will become as bitter and twisted as they are. Rise above it and show them by your behaviour that you are not the sort of cyclist they rant about. A cheery wave to one and all as you pass the stationary lines of traffic demonstrates the superiority of cycles and cyclists ( and p****s not a few of them off )!

[Andy Tallis]

May drivers just have a bad attitude. I'm currently riding England - North cape. I found European drivers genrally better (with exceptions.)

It's not just boy racers who are a problem. My parents both view speed limits liberally and say it is OK as they are experienced.

Ironically, in my little experience of driving, I have spent only minutes delayed by cyclists but hours stuck in traffic. Only then motorists blame the council etc, not themselves.

[gar]

Pinky has got his head screwed on.
I do the same kick his bloody door in if he or she behaves like that. your purpose is self defence entirely answerable in law.

I was walking on a local road recently and a bloke aimed at me with his car. I eyeballed sufficiently to see exactly what he was going to do, so i took my silver stick and gave his car panel a jolly good belt as he went past (just).

The insane man turend about 100m up the road came back jumped out of his car and threatened me with violence.

I told him my business and advised hime that if he did not jump right back in again and use a different road in future he would find himself in court on monday morning.

He apologised did that and made off back in the same direction as he had come in the very first
place. Speedy detour you might say.

I kick cars as well, but I do respect them as best I can. Best to keep away from them and use the forest tracks to get across country fast.

Gareth Howell

[gar]

Just to add to that, i had to advise him that in the course of two minutes he had commited crimes/offences in 3 different aspects of the law;
Crimes against property theft (trying to steal my silver knobbed stick), careless driving, and crime against the person; threatening me with violence.

He semed to think that possession of a mobile phone would protect him from all these charges.

I was not in a hurry, and exercising my right to use a road.

Such behaviour I added would deserve a short but sweet custodial sentence!

Gareth Howell