How the media fails cyclists

Munge and Hawkins, I think the encouragement of 'normalising' cycling and the 'top down' approach are so polar opposite that there will always be trouble. The priviliged perhaps rode round an estate probably on horse, I rode round a council estate and aimed not to stop too long or me wheels would be nicked

Was talking normalising recently, looking at e-bikes and their price points. There's now a couple around £1.5k that aren't awful bikes (praise the lord). It would make a hell of a lot of sense to up the C2W threshold for an e-bike and even build in some further relief for those proving they are swapping car journeys (perhaps app based evidence). We know many car journeys are <5 miles - if a shift could be proven there's then also the ability to increase the move towards actual decent infrastructure that would then encourage even more... and on and on and on!

I think that cycling is almost a victim of a rather unpleasant and ingrained social attitude towards minority groups who are visible, often appear to be breaking rules that others are forced to comply with, are clearly identifiable (on a bicycle) and are perceived not to be contributing to the cost of infrastructure that they use. There is also a level of resentment of the apparent freedoms enjoyed by those on bicycles, e.g no number plates, ability to go exploring off road, filtering past traffic queues and generally being fitter and having a better time than those stuck in cars.

Sticking a helmet on, wearing hi viz cycle specific clothing and becoming an object other than human is actually one of the most compelling arguments to me on the side of those who reject such things, especially when cycling in an urban environment with lower speeds, higher vehicle densities and decent lighting infrastructure.

Attitudes in general will only change if more people can be encouraged to cycle for short local journeys. I.e normalise the use of bicycles as safe, practical, convenient, everyday transport for normal people wearing normal clothing for purposes other than just going out for a cycle ride. The benefits to self and wider society are clear to all but the most ardent critics. Unfortunately those with the biggest bees in their bonnet about such things tend to make sure they get the most press coverage.

Thank you.  Any of these could apply to the UK also - possibly to an even greater extent than reported here.  The use of language that removes the driver's agency is particularly notable.  It goes so far in the UK media, especially local news, that it becomes nonsensical.  "A pedestrian was in collision with a bus", "cyclist collides with car" to give (genuine) examples, of which there are many.  You'll be astonished to hear that we're not talking about a pedestrian walking into a stationary bus here, or a cyclist riding furiously into a poor unsuspecting car.

Some of it is quoting uncritically from the police also.  No doubt they'd say they're being careful not to prejudge, but I'm sure it's possible to do that without completely reversing the natural descrition of the facts.

That's very interesting - thanks for that link.

I was recently bemoaning how the BBC has an anti-cycling agenda, but didn't have any stats on their articles, so it'd be nice if there was a similar analysis.