How motoring journalists create hate for cyclists

Published by Matt Polaine | Filed under Cars, Transport

Back in March 2007 an article was written by Ian Dickson and Henry Biggs “4x4s tested: Lexus hybrid v Mercedes diesel” on MSN Cars website.

Their ‘review’ which has as much technical objectivity and grasp of socio-environmental aspects of running either of these cars as George Bush has of Climate Change, also portrayed the typical motoring journalist spite towards cyclists. This no doubt, fuels the hate and spite of both readers and drivers towards cyclists. It is digusting behaviour, and I highlight this later. For now, read the section of their ‘review’ which includes their reporting of cyclists behaviour.

Bare in mind that they are justifying almost 2.5 tonnes of petrol-electric 4x4 truck car as being ‘a fairly green alternative’. This car has a 3.2 litre petrol engine and has enough excess power to deliver that 2.5 tonnes to 60mph in 7.5 seconds. The testers couldn’t better 29mpg:

“The eco-mentalist cyclists hurling abuse at our 4x4 double act clearly did not appreciate their apparent green merits. Now I have nothing against bikes. If anything, I am quite partial to a spot of pedal action as a means of relieving the stress of a busy day. But my Lycra-wearing friends could not spot a wind turbine from 100 paces, because they were hurling abuse at the wrong car. The Lexus RX400h is allegedly the most environmentally-sound luxury SUV money can buy. Indeed, so silent is its petrol-electric engine, I was able to make out every ‘f’, ‘w’ and ‘b’ in their rage-induced rants”.

“Henry wasn’t getting an easier time in the diesel - and I must point out - less eco-friendly Merc. The insults were soon flying in his direction. But we were not going to let a bunch of opinionated cyclists stand in the way of a thorough MSN Cars assessment. Despite the clear hostility towards 4x4s in Richmond – the angry cyclists and the £300 parking charge for residents – the place is full of the things, especially those that carry posh Range Rover, BMW X5 and Mercedes ML badges. Yet strangely, there were few RX400hs, despite its supposed financial rewards”.

Eco-mentalist cyclist - this is Ian Dickson’s view of a fellow human being who can see the damage such excessive consumer behaviour is doing by driving around in such a socially irresponsible machine. This reporting style paints the cyclists as being the nutter, while Ian pollutes the shared air we breathe, consumes vast amounts of energy that we don’t have to spare, and believes that cyclists are stupid for not appreciating the green merits of a 2.5 tonne 3.2 litre ‘car’.

What is the point of saying that lycra wearing cyclists couldn’t spot a wind turbine at 100 paces? A car has terrible blind spots and any idiot thinking driving a ‘tank’ like this is environmentally sound is so low down the comprehension scale that commenting on others being unable to spot ‘it’s green credentials’ is delusional.

Opinionated cyclists - yes they are. But when it comes to pompous and plain dumb writing, these two are well practiced. For those reading this thinking I am making a real fuss over nothing, you forget that the majority of drivers - especially large 4x4 drivers from my experience - have to drive around cyclists. I say drive ‘around’ but they more or less drive ‘through’ cyclists, leaving scant room, cutting them up, and generally treating another road user as gutter scum. Much like the west used to treat african nationals a few decades ago.

To illustrate how culturally wrong this behaviour towards cyclists is, I’ll rewrite Ian Dickson and Henry Biggs’ article swapping the vitriol towards cyclists for racist vitriol towards african nationals. Please note that I detest these racist phrases as much as I detest drivers killing cyclists. I am making a point through using currently socially unacceptable terms that were once socially acceptable, as cyclist-bashing seems currently acceptable by motoring journalists like Ian Dickson and Henry Biggs today.

“The eco-mentalist niggers hurling abuse at our 4x4 double act clearly did not appreciate their apparent green merits. Now I have nothing against darkies. Some of them are friends of mine. But my fuzzy-haired friends could not spot a wind turbine from 100 paces, because they were hurling abuse at the wrong car. The Lexus RX400h is allegedly the most environmentally-sound luxury SUV money can buy. Indeed, so silent is its petrol-electric engine, I was able to make out every ‘f’, ‘w’ and ‘b’ in their rage-induced rants”.

“Henry wasn’t getting an easier time in the diesel - and I must point out - less eco-friendly Merc. The insults were soon flying in his direction. But we were not going to let a bunch of opinionated black people stand in the way of a thorough MSN Cars assessment. Despite the clear hostility towards 4x4s in Richmond – the angry niggers and the £300 parking charge for residents – the place is full of the things, especially those that carry posh Range Rover, BMW X5 and Mercedes ML badges. Yet strangely, there were few RX400hs, despite its supposed financial rewards”.

So tell me, is it OK to treat cyclists like this? I hope I’ve made my point.