Matthew Parris has come in for plenty of stick in his article, “What’s smug and deserves to be decapitated?”
” A festive custom we could do worse than foster would be stringing piano wire across country lanes to decapitate cyclists.”
Even in jest this is a little harsh considering how often this type of crime has been perpetrated in the UK (see here for a list). This may have been ok for movie stars in old war films escaping from the Nazis but do people really need more encouragement, especially in London, to hurt each other?
Others have already pointed out that this sort of “joke” aimed at people of disability, sexual orientation and race would be illegal, without further proof. In fact it probably is illegal if it could be proved that this article incited someone to do just that.
But why do some people seem to hate anyone on a bike? yes, some do go through red lights. But I have also seen plenty of cars go through red lights. A cyclist is more likely to hurt himself than anyone else – but it doesn’t make it right and I don’t do it.
Is it because some wear lycra? OMG, what a crime. Just like some women wore ponchos a year ago, but I never gave any of them verbal abuse, which I and many others get on the way to and from work each day, which is rich coming from drivers of Nissan’s.
Even in Sutton people shout at you when riding on a cycle path which is next to a regular path – often refusing to move. Also going down a one way street the wrong way, because, listen up drivers, in some cases there are signs that allow cyclists to do just that – don’t blame your ignorance on others.
All road users have a duty of care towards each other – and especially those in front of you. No one owns the road. Sure cycling two abreast is legal but I wouldn’t in London, that is just courtesy. But neither should drivers knock so many single cyclists over or block cycle lanes where we have them. I gave up counting how many times I’ve seen cars cut in, to turn left in front of me and others to save milliseconds from a trip.
It must be that the root cause of this is the frustration that most drivers feel stuck in traffic. I have felt it too, I drive but not as much as I used to. Seeing someone getting where they want to, with less effort, stress, cost and at a predictable rate is frustrating especially if your late or need the loo. The anger can rise when someone glides past, through heavy traffic off into the sucset (or sunrise). I have been in both positions, like so many people who ride to work.
Instead of getting angry, why not get a bike? Most cyclists don’t feel smug – they just made the choice to leave the car at home and avoid overcrowded public transport.
And remember, those are people, not cyclists. They have families, mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, brothers and sisters – so try not to kill us.
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January 9, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Well written. I wasn’t personally offended by what Mr Parris wrote. I can laugh off idiots and look after my self, more that I was astounded that someone with such obvious intelligence couldn’t (or couldn’t be bothered to) see the implications of such a ridiculous statement. Do we really need to generate more hatred? And for what? Simply because someone is so chuffed with their choice of mode of transport?
Incidentally, I cycle in Sheffield and motorists here seem, in the main, to be quite courteous – even moving over for me when I overtake them in the morning traffic queue; for which I always thank them.
Get yourself a bike Matthew, you might just see life from someone else’s point of view for once.
January 23, 2008 at 1:18 pm
I must admit, it did astound me when I heard/read the piece. It might have been different, although equally less acceptable if he’d proposed slashing tires or letting them down, but to suggest physical harm was completely out of order. It’s scary enough to approach to be on the main road approaching a turning at 23MPH when you can clearly see the driver approaching the junction with mobile and cigarette in hand and not paying attention, will they stop or not? Piano wire where you’d get not even the slightest warning is not on.
But I guess its achieved its objective and scared a few more people away from cycling.
January 23, 2008 at 10:13 pm
Matthew is very funny usually, picking over the hypocritical in a way that makes fun of them usually but yes, doing physical harm to someone isn’t his usual form. I find it especially stupid as that this is also something that already goes on, it’s not a fantasy.
Don’t get me started on people not paying attention – no I’m going to stop, let tonights example of driving test cheats go. :o)
April 25, 2010 at 2:31 pm
Anyway asides from the obvious joking from the article in question. Most people WHO USE THE ROADS, abide by the law. There is an element out there though that do intensionally harass cyclists and other road users. What I am about to write is fact and not a fantasy. If one searches the web you will come across stories of hit and run felonies against cyclists. Reckless endangerment of peoples lives. Harassing cyclists. Throwing rocks at cyclists. Putting cyclists lives in danger. Trying to run them of the road. As they would describe as a bit of fun. To them. A bit of fun as they would describe it, is a very stupid and unintelligent statement. All road users make mistakes and accidents do inevitably happen. That is an unfortunate fact of life. But there are road users out there, who do put other road users at extreme risk intensionally. This is a serious crime and should not be tolerated. Any way just yesterday 24 April 2010 SUCH A THING HAPPENED to me. I WAS cycling along along the edge of the road. This driver slowed to my speed and started swerving their car in and out toward me intensionally. I HAD to swerve to avoid the vehicle. This is not a cliche. THIS car was literally inches from me. I mean inches. I could have been killed. I tried to get the registration Number but I just could not remember it. I DID make a statement to the law after it happened. Now I CYCLE BECAUSE I enjoy it. I love the sport and I like to keep fit. There are laws against such actions. I am lucky to be alive Today. This will not deter Me from pursuing what I like to do. Alot of people like to ride bikes. I am not going to let such an incident put me of the road. Now I have been riding for years on the Road and nothing like this has ever happened to me before. But It did Happen Yesterday, and I am STILL in SHOCK. I have a right to use the Road also. THERE ARE serious laws against such actions. Thankfully these are isolated incidents, but They do happen. Everyone who uses the roads please be extra vigilant, and that includes Me also. Do not do anything stupid. Have respect for all road users. Drive carefully. Stick to the rules. DO not drive under the influence. Do not use your vehicle as a weapon. Do not take chances. Have patients. Stick to the speed limits.
April 26, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Really sorry to hear that. I do remember a long time back at Uni when a friend was pushed into a ditch as he was cycling back to halls. I can’t think what makes some people want to do that, other than they have very little in their life and bullying someone while sitting inside a tonne of metal gives them kicks. Take care.
June 5, 2010 at 4:49 am
Very well written. The big deal people make of us wearing Lycra is completely beyond me- how the hell does that affect anyone else?
September 16, 2010 at 2:51 am
With those on the road (where they legally belong) I give plenty of room because you never know if he’s the novice. Those doing the right thing have a lot of courage and aren’t the problem. I admit I couldn’t do it without being a nervous wreck by mission’s end. BUT the kids on the sidewalk is another thing. I came within 6 inches (15cm) of getting hit while walking TWICE in the space of 10 seconds. The first near-miss I turn around to look then the other whooshed by just as fast. I was PISSED. What we need are speed bumps on sidewalks to allow pedestrians and wheelchair users but make using bikes impossible. Some way to make sidewalks unnavigable to cyclists is needed. Otherwise the bike backlash will heat up.
September 16, 2010 at 9:17 am
Since I’ve been back in the UK after a month in Taiwan I really noticed the hatred – yes hatred – that road users have for each other here in the UK. Taiwan roads are incredibly busy, manic places. Yet the whole time I rode my bike on the road I never got a single bit of aggression in my direction. People work to the rule that “might is right” so you steer clear of buses and trucks. But when they are coming from behind they never sit a foot from your back wheel or start shouting at you.. they just give you room and go past, sometimes with the occasional beep just so you know they are there (Taiwanese don’t look behind when driving) so you don’t pull across them.
When I got back here, within 5 minutes of getting on my bike, some woman started trying to put me in the ditch, beeping and shouting at me.. when I caught up with her at the next set of lights (drivers often forget this will almost happen) I asked what was wrong. She then drove her car into my bike, twice.
Part of this difference is down to cultural and behavioural norms in each country. Taiwanese and Chinese rarely show emotion in such a situation. You lose face. Very important. In England, we seem to have lost our shame and vent our anger in just about all aspects of life now. A real shame.
January 19, 2011 at 3:04 pm
what excellent study.