Become a supporter
The producer of the BBC’s widely lambasted Top Gear segment on cycling has responded to viewers’ criticism – and is as unrepentant as you might expect.
In a response sent to viewers who complained, Executive Producer Andy Wilman replied:
“The Top Gear film on cycling was always going to be done in a Top Gear tone, and I believe justifiably so. Firstly, the point about bias – at what point does the film say cyclists should not be treated with respect on the road? It doesn’t – when Jeremy and James go out on their fact finding cycle around London, they make it clear that they believe buses to be the main danger point. Apart from the point about cyclists jumping red lights – a common perception of cyclists – they are not critical of cyclists.
“The bias in the early Public Information films ‘Work Harder Get a Car’ and ‘Act Your Age, Get a Car’ are specifically made to be absurd, and the joke here is centred on the hopeless misinterpretation by Jeremy and James of the brief given to them by Westminster Council. The end film does state that both cyclists and drivers should respect each other on the road, and surely that is the important point Top Gear can get across. Does it matter if we make childish jokes about cyclists’ clothes or body odour as long as we advocate that both parties respect each other’s road space?
“I would also say that although Top Gear brings its own distinct voice to the cycling/motoring issue, we are at least bringing more awareness to the debate, and if the main message from a such a car based programme is that motorists and cyclists should show respect, then that’s ultimately to the good.”
But the assertion that Top Gear was advocating road users “respect each other’s space” has already been demolished by Debbie Dorling, whose husband was killed cycling at Bow Roundabout in 2011. She told road.cc that the programme “missed so many opportunities… I am quite saddened by what went on air. It totally missed the point of cycle safety.”
On the bright side, Jeremy Clarkson’s new home near Chipping Norton will be graced with a new National Cycle Network route passing by the bottom of his road later this year – so he’ll have plenty of time to get used to sharing the road with cyclists.
A runaway cyclist in Japan has been arrested by police after riding almost a thousand miles on stolen bikes.
43-year old Takahashi Nobugiyo set out on his odyssey after business difficulties. “Running the bar wasn’t going so well; I was sick of my life so I set out on a nomadic journey,” he told the Japan Daily Press.
His five-month journey took him across the islands of Japan, sleeping rough and surviving on food and beer stolen from supermarkets. He also stole bikes, picking up three cycles on his journey, and it was for this that he was arrested at the New Year.
Takahashi said that he navigated around using a “small map of Japan” – perhaps an inspiration to those of us who festoon our handlebars with GPSs and smartphones?
The famous university cities of Oxford and Cambridge should be considered for a new direct cycle superhighway, according to Cambridge’s cycling MP Julian Huppert.
The suggestion would see a cycleway built alongside the railway line between the two cities. The railway was closed to passengers by Beeching and has been derelict since the 1990s, but is now being reopened in stages: the Oxford–Bicester section is currently being upgraded, with Bicester–Milton Keynes to follow. This would complete a through-route, though the distance could be further shortened by building a new line from Bedford to Cambridge.
Speaking to the Cambridge News, Dr Huppert said:
“It is so important when adding to or improving the country’s railway network that we make sure we look at all related issues and improving facilities for cycling and pedestrians must be included.
“Whether it is possible to include a cycle super highway along the whole stretch of the route is debatable but I would definitely like to see it considered for the Varsity line. As a cycling city it makes sense that investment in a rail line which serves Cambridge should take cyclists into account.”
The Cambridge Cycling Campaign agreed, while pointing out that Cambridge also needed better links to nearby towns as well as its university rival 80 miles away.
The line is being rebuilt as a double-track railway, meaning that there is no space in cuttings and on embankments for a parallel cycle track. The two cities are already linked by National Cycle Network route 51, which follows country lanes most of the way.
The Government has already started to investigate a long-distance cycle route parallel to the new HS2 railway, a project which this week received support from London mayor Boris Johnson.
The full route for 2014’s Tour of Britain hasn’t been announced yet, but Worcester City Council has let slip that the Faithful City will be hosting a stage.
Worcester will host the start of a Tour stage on Thursday 11 September. The Tour of Britain, which takes place from 7 to 14 September, was upgraded in the international race hierarchy this year – meaning more famous riders are likely to take part.
Sir Bradley Wiggins, the winner of 2013’s Tour of Britain, is unlikely to be among them. He’s said that he intends to ride the Vuelta a Espana (Tour of Spain) this year, and the two races clash in the calendar.
However, he won’t entirely be a stranger to the region, as he has agreed to make a guest appearance in Radio 4 soap opera The Archers – popularly believed to be based on Worcestershire villages. He will be judging entries at Ambridge’s Sport Relief event. Wiggins said:
“When I was asked to record a Sport Relief special for The Archers, there was no way I could turn it down. I grew up with it on the radio in the house, and it’s not every day you get to star in the world’s longest-running soap opera.”
Sport Relief explained further: “Bradley will be crowning the village winner – but not before the cycling hero has an amusing encounter with Lynda Snell and her rusty old bike.”
It’s been a good month for 20mph limits, with Brighton and Cambridge both taking the plunge. Now Birmingham is set to follow suit, with around one-third of the city set to adopt the bike-friendly speed limit.
Birmingham City Council’s Cabinet is expected to approve the new limit at a meeting next week. As well as the entire area within the ring road, parts of Aston, Nechells, Ladywood, Edgbaston, Harborne, Selly Oak, Bournville, Moseley and Kings Heath, Springfield, Sparkbrook, South Yardley, Bordesley Green, Washwood Heath and Hodge Hill wards will get the new lower limit.
The 20mph limit is being introduced as part of the Birmingham Cycle Revolution scheme. It will officially be a pilot scheme rather than a permanent introduction, with the council’s cycling champion, James McKay, saying:
“Better safety for all road users is the inspiration behind our plans, and the other positive spin-offs are a bonus – but we accept that there are still significant numbers of people who remain to be convinced.”
Indeed, of the 3,500 people who replied to a public questionnaire, only 39% were in favour, and 58% against. However, 91% said they were in favour of 20mph limits near schools. 60% of cyclists, bus users and walkers supported the plans, versus only 40% of drivers. The City Council says that the results of the survey were not representative:
“Those who travelled by car as their main mode of travel were over-represented in terms of the consultation responses, and were more likely to be opposed to the proposal. Many of the reasons for not supporting the proposals could be said to be based on misconceptions in terms of where the limits would apply and that they would improve road safety.”
Main A and B roads will retain their existing limits, and as the council points out, “the vast majority of the city’s [car] traffic travels on the 10% of the road network that will stay at 30 or 40 mph”.
Predictably, UKIP has come out in opposition to the proposals, launching a petition against them. Its local spokesman, Keith Rowe, told the Birmingham Mail:
“The council should be trying to increase the flow of traffic and reduce bottlenecks and invest money in trying to get the economy moving. Birmingham is the spiritual home of the motor industry and should be car friendly.”
The local Green Party has called UKIP “ignorant”.
Made in the Cotswolds. Published by Éditions Système D Ltd.
Log in with your cycle.travel account:
| Password |
Or simply use your account on:
