BBC website says urban two-wheeling is a ‘gamble’

"Britons cycle less than other Europeans. The reason for many is that they are scared to go on the road," said the BBC journalist in a piece called ‘The great cycling gamble’.

"Given the choice of thundering along the roads strapped into a steel cage designed to withstand a collision or taking your chances pedalling in the gutter with little more than a plastic helmet for protection – it’s little wonder some people shy away from the bicycle," wrote the reporter.

The article paints a very depressing picture about urban cycling, countering with very few positive facts.

This is a chance to fill in the BBC feedback form and put a more positive spin on the coverage.

Here’s the story URL:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/…/1930961.stm

And here’s what Bikebiz.co.uk wrote on the feedback form:

"In many European countries it’s the motorist who is automatically deemed to be at fault in any ‘accident’ involving a vehicle and a cyclist.

"I’m both a cyclist and a driver and I would welcome such a law over here. When driving I already take extra care when I spot a cyclist and always look out for two wheelers in my mirror. But not enough UK drivers are quite this cycle-aware. If they were automatically liable in any accident, the rate of cycle-awareness among UK drivers would shoot up.

"It boils down to drivers not bothering to take the needs of cyclists into consideration. Why should they, many seem to think, running over a cyclist isn’t going to damage their car much nor will the law deem them responsible.

"Kill or maim with a gun, and you’ll be locked up. Kill or maim with a car and you’re likely to face no punishment whatsoever.

This is problem is very UK specific. It could be changed, other countries have been successful in lessening the problem."

Here’s the submission of Peter Eland of VeloVision:

"I don’t think this should degenerate into a ‘whinging cyclists’ debate. Remember: more people on bikes means fewer people clogging up the roads in their cars. Better cycle provision would benefit everyone, motorists included, through decreased congestion and pollution – not to mention lower NHS costs from a healthier population!"

NB

Thanks to Peter Eland – http://www.velovision.co.uk – for alerting this site to the BBC story.