Cyclists have hit out at posters opposing the Wiggle New Forest Sportive rides this weekend, and in response the Forestry Commission is removing the posters.
The anonymous posters have been placed in New Forest villages, apparently by a local person, to “warn that this event could put members of the public at risk”.
They look like this:
Ann Sevier New Forest Councillor is the bigoted anti cyclist responsible for this poster, ann.sevier@newforest.gov.uk pic.twitter.com/F2ayuFc258
— New Forest Cyclist (@forestcyclist) April 11, 2014
Cyclists, including at least one New Forest native, have responded angrily via Twitter, but also with humour, mocking the message of the posters.
New Forest Cyclist, who has been a significant voice in the social media campaign supporting sportives posted: “I’m a local, lived in area all my life, unlike this vocal, anti-cycling, Nimby minority.”
And the situation became very widely known when BBC Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine tweeted: “Thought you were cycling? Nope, you were committing an ‘abuse of local tranquility’”
The latest twist in the tale came early this afternoon when New Forest Cyclist tweeted: “Been informed that @ForestryCommEng are pulling down the 'anti cycling' posters wherever they encounter them in the New Forest, great news!”
Many people have pointed out that drivers remain a far greater danger to local people and lifestock. The New Forest National Park Authority says it has no recorded instances of cyclists causing harm to animals including ponies in the last six years.
John Colvin tweeted: “BE AWARE! MASSIVE DRVING EVENT ON NEW FOREST ROADS EVERY DAY”
Andy Lulham said the poster was “Lazy, arrogant and inaccurate. I'm really surprised it's not in Comic Sans #TheBigotsFriend”
Dan Cook fired up his trusty image editor to create this parody of the posters:
While a few people have said the local opposition has put them off taking part in the ride, others are still looking forward to it.
Polly Neate tweeted: “Excited about my 3rd @ukcyclingevents New Forest spring sportive on Sunday: pony-spotting, deer-spotting if very lucky, nimby-spotting… ;)”
-1024x680.jpg "“Clear anti-cyclist bias”: Lawsuit filed against Toronto police after cop doored cyclist… before ticketing rider over incident")
61 thoughts on “Forestry Commission pulls down anti-cycling posters ahead of New Forest sportive this weekend”
It’s the “OUR roads and OUR
It’s the “OUR roads and OUR villages” thing that annoys me most. NIMBYs can FRO.
“The weekend of Palm Sunday”
“The weekend of Palm Sunday” Those evil godless cyclists!
I’m always amazed that anyone can get themselves so worked up over this sort of thing. Must be nice to have nothing better to do and nothing genuinely worrying to worry about.
I am sure I’m not the only
I am sure I’m not the only one who finds this most hilarious. To go to the effort of printing colour posters and spending evenings sticking them to trees? This kind of thing is beyond sad, and the creators can only be pitied.
That said, last year I seem to recall there being some rather more malicious actions such as signs and attempting to block cyclists’ paths? Hopefully will not happen again.
OK, whoever it is with the
OK, whoever it is with the squeaky disk brakes, you really need to get those sorted :))
I just don’t get the way
I just don’t get the way these people think. They must know that the actual damage done by cyclists is zero compared to the damage done by cars, which they don’t seem to have a problem with. So why do they behave as if it’s the other way round? Have they actually worked themselves up into believing that this is the case?
Idiots.
Chuck wrote:
I just don’t get
Outwardly projected self-loathing would be my guess.
Chuck wrote:I just don’t get
Bigotry isn’t logical. That’s why good humour is such a strong weapon to fight it in all forms.
Don’t explain to them they’re being ludicrous, just rip the p out of them.
Chuck wrote:I just don’t get
Utter selfishness – that’s about it.
The motivation behind these
The motivation behind these posters is quite simple – some people don’t like cyclists because they make driving more of a task where one has to think.
That’s it. Driving = slightly more difficult, therefore cyclists = evil.
For what it is worth, this
For what it is worth, this steady drip of stories about the unfriendliness of the people of the New Forest does mean that I wouldn’t really consider going there. It just seems to be a very unpleasant community. Presumably the people we hear about are not representative of everyone who lives there. If that is right, it is a pity that they are so vocal.
I’d still do there, but only
I’d still do there, but only ‘cos I really need a poo and I hear their village greens are lovely
allez neg wrote:I’d still do
They also provide lavatory paper pinned to the trees. Just make sure you take it out of its plastic cover first.
nowasps wrote:allez neg
If you ask the pro’s, they all say that in competition you should avoid all that faffing about and simply drag your bum along using your arms in the way that dogs sometimes do.
That’s a great photo, credit
That’s a great photo, credit to whoever took it, other than that let them keeping making a rod for their own back…
that’s some sportive posse
that’s some sportive posse they’ve photographed … glad
I’m not trying to hold a wheel in that … 🙂
sad that they have to be soooo bigoted though … oh well
they can have some pity … oh wait I’m a cyclist they wouldn’t
want it would they …
I emailed her.
“Hi,
I believe
I emailed her.
“Hi,
I believe you are responsible for defacing trees by using plastic and drawing pins to stick posters up around your area.
Please remember a few points when you do this:
1) The government is trying to increase sustainable transport. Cycling is one of those.
2) Cyclists do less damage, kill less people, erode less tarmac surfaces, and pollute less air than other forms of transport. Are they bad too?
3) Your area relies on tourism. This is it. For every cyclist there is a supporting family spending money in your shops, eating in your restaurants, staying in your hotels. So if there is less tourism, what do you fall back on? Bartering with neighbours? Populating charity shops?
4) Your comment regarding “speeding”. My experience is that the average cyclist is doing 14mph on a bicycle on these sorts of events. They are not professional races with higher speeds. That is half of the minimum speed limit you have. Do you refer to car drivers doing more than 15mph as speeders?
5) Most importantly – you are there to support the public, who pay you for the role you perform. I am such a member of the public, and use my taxes to pay you to represent me. I would like to see the levels of support you have for this somewhat bizarre initiative.
Kind Regards
Goggy (well, my real name)
Taxpayer (and your boss)
That’s fine. I’ll just take
That’s fine. I’ll just take my bike and my wallet elsewhere. 👿
levermonkey wrote:That’s
Quite right mate, me too! 😉
It’s important to make it
It’s important to make it clear to nimbys that the New Forest belongs to everyone, but let’s all keep calm, let’s keep the moral high ground, and let’s not do anything that brings us even closer to legislative restriction.
There will surely be cameras at the ready, so let’s not do anything that may be interpreted as “racing”. Just to play devils advocate here, if I was gathering “evidence” to support my case for legislative change, this might well be one of the events I attended. I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable weekend.
Are cyclists the new n*****s?
Are cyclists the new n*****s? So many people seem to have such an irrational hatred of them that if it was based on skin colour, race or sexual orientation it would be illegal.
If the councillor is using her official position to justify her actions, she would appear to be abusing her office. We can only hope that dinosoars like her get voted out quickly. Would UKIP be an improvement? Given her attitude and the fact that she’s already a conservative, it wouldn’t be too surprising if she switched to them.
Perhaps local cyclists could set up a fund and pay to get her some counselling to deal with her affliction?
This is really starting to
This is really starting to get on my nerves now! Never have I seen such a small minded and petty effort from a grown woman in a position of responsibility and trust. Is she speaking on behalf of everyone in the New Forest, was this deed carried out after a vote or with the consent of those she represents? I doubt it.
This woman and her cronies WILL NOT stop me having a great day on Sunday. I will ride within the rules of the Highway Code and conduct myself in a gentlemanly fashion, however, if a NIMBY attempts to push me off my bike, as happened to riders last year, I will act accordingly.
Will I be bullied by a small group of posh thugs, no, no I won’t
I can see the points about
I can see the points about the roads being clogged by large groups of cyclists which annoy car drivers (Oh dear, what a pity) but there is no law against it, so shut up, womaytypething.
I wonder if she’s getting
I wonder if she’s getting much email about this.
She-who-I-will-not-name-in-ca
She-who-I-will-not-name-in-case-of-legal-action replied to me (below)
“On 11 Apr 2014, at 19:29, “Cllr xxx” wrote:
yes – i am a supporter of cycling and its great and the New forest National park Authority has money from government to promote family cycling.
BUT
Recently we have had a horse rider thrown and killed by speeding cyclists and other people including children thrown.
AND cyclists killed and seriously injured
and also the livestock killed and maimed.
So any organisation that encourages people to cycle fast in narrow lanes – in my view – this is reprehensible and ‘smacks’ as avarice – cyclists are paying £30+.
I have put up two posters and the parish has put some on their notice boards. If people have a problem this weekend they contact the parish or town councils in the New Forest.
Talking about tourism — we have 10+ million visitors every year and they all want to use the Forest – it is unique for quiet recreation.
How can i put this – i have yet to see a Sportive rider stop at the pub, tearoom or shop. (Talking of charity shops as an old age pensioner – they are great!!)
The problem is not confined to the day — for the last two weeks we have had cyclists ‘doing’ the route as fast as they can – and they will be back after this weekend to do it again with their friends.
Sportives are properly organised on the continent – on main roads not sending thousand of cyclists down narrow single track roads used by everyone.
The New Forest national park and the District council went to London last week and spoke to the Ministry for an hour – they are supported by the association of the Town and parish councils and other organisations in the Forest. The national park has tried for two years now to find a solution – the government will have to resolve it. I think through local licensing but i don’t think it will come in till after the Tour de France next year which starts in Yorkshire.
Licencing is probably – the best way – other events are licensed – everything has then to be proportionate on both sides.
yes I represent the local ward – voted in democratically – and the safety of people is my concern – and I will always speak up.
At the moment – the local majority tells me – i have got it right.
ANn”
___
I hope she doesn’t also have responsibility for local literacy levels in schools. 8}
goggy wrote:Recently we have
I’d be surprised if any cyclist was throwing any children?
Also, did any cyclist kill another cyclist, or was that a car doing the killing / injuring?
And, has there been any reported incidence of livestock or any ponies hurt by a cyclist? Or was that a car again?
“Recently we have had a horse
“Recently we have had a horse rider thrown and killed by speeding cyclists and other people including children thrown.
AND cyclists killed and seriously injured
and also the livestock killed and maimed.”
Have you asked her for details of these incidents? My guess would be that these are mostly fictional, or at least highly exaggerated. Of course, if she can’t prove what she claims, her whole case falls apart and she is exposed even more as a bike-hating bigot.
At least she didn’t use the Paris defence “it was only a joke, and I’m sorry cyclists have no sense of humour.”
I emailed her too. Got pretty
I emailed her too. Got pretty much the same reply as above. I’d imagine she’s had rather a lot of email today so has resorted to cutting & pasting her replies!
I suggest we all go down and
I suggest we all go down and ride reeeeeally really slowly, 3 wide.
Absolutely pathetic
Cyclists causing carnage.
Cyclists causing carnage. Again. (|:
I think the best comment here
I think the best comment here is the idea that everybody rides really slowly, especially on the narrow bits, with very little room for cars to overtake.
Dear Mrs Sevier,
I’m writing
Dear Mrs Sevier,
I’m writing to express my horror at your posting of anti-cycling posters in the New Forest before this weekends Wiggle event.
Whilst I understand some of your concerns, I’m disgusted that you feel it’s acceptable for you to abuse your position by attempting to sway the opinion of members of your parish and the general public by the use of your bigoted and laughably inaccurate posters.
You, madam are running a hate campaign, nothing more and nothing less, against a healthy, environmentally friendly and sociable sport and you should be ashamed of yourself.
Your behaviour is elitist, sectarian and smacks of discrimination of the lowest kind.
I have had the pleasure of serving my country for the last eighteen years as a member of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces in, most recently, Iraq and Afghanistan fighting against oppression and discrimination. I do not expect to be subject to the kind of discrimination you so plainly support and push on others in my own country!
The New a Forest is a national park and open to all, not who you decide fit in with what you desire.
I will cycle the forest this weekend. I will follow the Highway Code and behave with courtesy and respect for others, I expect the same in return.
Sincerely
A very angry cyclist.
It wont be long before UKIP
It wont be long before UKIP start on cyclists.
Leodis wrote:It wont be long
Oh dear, have you never seen their cycling policies?
It’s straight from the Daily Fail comments section, compulsory registration “cycledisc” and third party insurance to “cover damage to cars”. Granting local authorities (such as this councillor) additional powers to ban cycling from busy junctions, roundabouts and bus lanes where they cause “unacceptable delays to traffic”.
There’s probably something about converting bike lanes for the exclusive use of mobility scooters. Or I may have just made that up to take the pi$$, hard to tell.
As far as I can make out,
As far as I can make out, she’s talking bollocks.
Firstly can’t find any news story from the New Forest or elsewhere of a recent fatality caused by being thrown from a horse after it was startled by a cyclist. I can find one about a teenage girl killed after her horse was spooked by a tractor. That’s it. If anyone can find the independent news article referencing the incident she refers to, I’d love to be proved wrong.
Secondly, if the accident rate was anything even close to what she suggests, the British Horse Society would be up in arms about it.
And they’re not so IMHO, she’s using woolly anecdotal unproven stories to back her campaign of bigotry.
I really enjoyed my weekend in the New Forest (August last year), we cycled large parts of the Sportive route and it was beautiful. Stunning weather, mostly quiet roads, nice pubs and cafes. Shame that the area is so spoilt by vocal NIMBYs.
.
.
Fine. She wins.
I’ll leave
Fine. She wins.
I’ll leave the bicycle in the garage, take a couple of paces to my right, and use my motorbike instead.
Whip the baffles out and sports bikes sound glorious at 14000 rpm, and I want to share the joy.
Was her email from an
Was her email from an ‘official’ account?
If so, and was therefore sent in ‘work’ time, then could she provide evidence of the accidents? Local media reports? Coroner’s findings?
Also, she asserts that over 10 million people visit per year – is this a verifiable figure (?) and furthermore that equates to over 27000 people per day assuming a regular flow of visitors throughout the year. Quite a few cars and coaches there, methinks, but evidently these cause no problems. Interesting to know how many of the 27000 per day travel by car, and the average occupancy, but that’s gotta be ooh, 5000 non-local cars entering the area daily at a rough guess?
I get how a cycling event may cause some transient inconvenience to drivers who encounter it on the 1/365th of the year that it takes place , but in the grander scheme of things it sounds pretty manageable.
Maybe she ought to get the Hell Angels to provide security there , Altamont style.
Tell you what Mrs, report any
Tell you what Mrs, report any illegal riding or whatever, not to the Parish Council, but to the police if its so serious.
The horse thing has echoes of a Etape Caledonia, it’s true, squads of bikes do freak some horses out, I’m not in any of the pictures, but was there and seen it.
http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/perth-kinross/absolutely-terrifying-horse-owner-claims-etape-caledonia-organisers-are-in-denial-about-effect-on-livestock-1.51744
Though we have all seen horses enjoying running alongside and within groups of cyclists on the a Continent.
If the person responsible for
If the person responsible for these posters is the one identified on this thread, it’s worth pointing out that Councillors are subject to a ‘Code of Conduct’.
This, along with a complaint form, can be found here:
http://www.newforest.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1649
I’ve just read, in detail,
I’ve just read, in detail, the code of conduct – she has beached it more than once with her poster efforts.
I encourage everyone to take the time to download, full in a complaint form and send it in. Let’s not be the silent disgruntled and do something about this vile woman!
THE REPLY FROM ” Her in the
THE REPLY FROM ” Her in the forest”
Hi Christian — may I say!!!! – that my nephew in out in Afgan at the moment on his third tour and I was a Special Constable for 20 years (google me). Now i am too old to serve my community in that role – the community voted me into be their local District Councilor and look after them and make sure their voice is hear – as in this instance.
This is a much more complicated problem — and below i have answered other questions that have been raised – so I have cut and pasted my reply.
————————-
oh dear – I think cycling is great – the New Forest is great for family cycling – the New Forest National Park has recieved money to promote family cycling – this is what it is about.
BUT
just recently there was a horse rider killed when thrown after being spooked by speeding cyclists – many and i mean many people have been thrown including children.
AND we have had cyclists killed and seriously injured
also the livestock killed and maimed.
In my view any organization who encourages cyclists to speed by recording their times – down narrow single track roads – is in view reprehensible and seems to ‘smack’ of avarice at £30+ a cyclist
We have 10+ million visitors to the New Forest all seem to want to come at the same time!!! – so everyone must behave responsibly – in this unique place. Sending out thousands of cyclists – causes problems and we are encouraging people to do the right thing and complain via the right channels.
In the last two weeks we have had cyclists trying to do the route as fast as possible prior to this weekend and they will be back afterwards to do the same again.
we have worked hard here on looking after the Forest (known locally as the Forest First) – the speed limit has been reduced fro 60mph down to 30mph in the lanes. The NPA has worked hard on codes of conduct for all users of the Forest.
My information is it will go down the route of licensing as other events are – this will ensure it will be proportionate to all parties.
I will always speak up to get the best for the Forest.
I have put up two posters and answered questions in the last few months – telling everyone to write to the MP or complain to offical bodies.
I will be out monitoring this weekend for bad behaviour by anybody!!!. We had serious problems last year with defecation and urination on the sides of the road with families and visitors driving past – swearing at drivers and banging on cars – lets just hope it is properly managed this year. I get so many complaints.
ANN
If she expunges any more hot
If she expunges any more hot air we will lose even more of the ozone layer…
Difficulty in countering this
Difficulty in countering this much bigotry is I can’t comprehend her thoughts.
I’m a motorist too, I live in an area with small lanes and a few sportives and a couple of pro races each year, not ever has one made me angry.
And here, Ladies & Gentlemen,
And here, Ladies & Gentlemen, is your protagonist of the hour – Mrs Ann Sevier in all her glory!
Blimey, she’ll scare the
Blimey, she’ll scare the horses =))
Taking her horses out for a
Taking her horses out for a morning stroll, hope she has got her poo bags with her =))
The fact that she’s being
The fact that she’s being given air time on TV by (presumably?) the local news channel is just adding fuel to the fire, it’s almost justifying her position.
Problem is that the media love a good argument, it generates debate and viewing figures and letters to the local rag so they’ll keep giving her a platform to air her views. Self fulfilling then. 🙁
I’ve seen her on TV before, I remember thinking that she could do with a bike ride herself. I pity the poor horse that has to carry her!
Mmmm looking at the picture
Mmmm looking at the picture again, looks like a set up for a local news crew or something. ….. horses on the loose on a blind bend with high hedgerows…..safety first ann! 😕
BBC regional news. Here you
BBC regional news. Here you go – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-26994241
Well given that Mrs Sevier
Well given that Mrs Sevier will be monitoring this weekend I’ll be keeping an eye out for her. As an ex Special Constable of 20 years I’m sure she believes she can dole out “roadside justice and advice” based on her inaccurate facts and personal bigotry.
I’ll be glad to bump into her (not literally of course, think of the damage to my bicycle!) and have a chat, provided she can keep up of course, I doubt she can travel at 15Mph on or in anything other than a car!
It was reported in the local
It was reported in the local news (17th. Jan’) that the inquest into the death of the late David Horton was told he’d been thrown from his horse when it was spooked by a cyclist; this apparently took place on a forest trail rather than a lane or road. The cyclist in question “…was riding along one of the Forest tracks made by ponies” and not one of the apparently designated gravel paths.There is nothing to suggest that an organised on-road event was anything to do with this tragic incident. Mrs. Sevier is deliberately conflating the Wiggle event with this gentleman’s death, she should be ashamed. It’s worthwhile noting that Mr. Horton’s widow, Jane, urged cyclists to stick to official paths and give horses a wide berth; sensible advice for us all.
She’s… um.. huge.
You’ll
She’s… um.. huge.
You’ll know if she’s round the corner because there will be a temporary solar eclipse.
I can’t help thinking this is
I can’t help thinking this is a topic that could be made better or worse depending on how polite and calm everyone manages to be.
I don’t think comments about someone’s appearance are relevant or helpful, personally.
Agree with the above,
Agree with the above, although with an observation:
I find the Internet abuse handed out to women who dare to have an opinion utterly repulsive (I’m thinking Mary Beard, Caroline Criado Perez, Laura Bates etc) but in this instance, she’s objecting to what is essentially an athletic escapade, with the associated feeling of achievement and the post – exercise buzz that we all get, something she may well have never experienced and thus something she is less able to comprehend and empathise with.
She’s also a bigot. I’m
She’s also a bigot. I’m tolerant of everything except intolerance.
The link to the BBC regional
The link to the BBC regional news that bikebot posted above is very good. Well balanced piece of journalism, I’m actually impressed by it.
The fact that even the local councillor was denouncing the ‘illegal fly posting of inflammatory messages’ and was generally supportive of the event says everything you need to know.
And I think UK Cycling Events have, through their actions of listening to concerns, modifying the route, restricting the numbers etc shown themselves to be the better party in all of this, it makes it clearer that her and her cronies are picking “facts” from thin air to suit their own NIMBY agenda.
Just got back from the Spring
Just got back from the Spring Sportive, we had a great day!
No hassle, only saw one of the posters and all the locals were friendly.
Sadly there was a bit of twatty riding but not too much and a bit of needless car horn action but overall a brilliant mornings ride.
Well done Wiggle, count me in for next year!
These arguments are worth
These arguments are worth having. The cyclist are the in the right and they should call people up on it when, they are being miss treated.
The joke poster countering that one does a fantastic job. Its funny and truthful. So this misguided poster, is giving cyclist and opportunity to speak to a new constituency. Progress will only be made, while people are talking.
I hate to say it, but the
I hate to say it, but the NIMBYs do raise a couple of good points. Any other event or race on the scale of a Sportive requires licensing and in most cases road closures. Imagine if it was decided that the London Marathon was ‘not a race’ despite the use of timing chips and published results and it was simply run without any road closures or advance warning. It would probably be legal but would result in utter chaos.
I’m not a fan of sportives and I blame British Cycling for their popularity. Whatever anyone says sportives ARE races and they have grown in popularity due to the lack of entry-level road racing available. It’s true that some sportive riders aren’t interested in finishing times etc. just as some marathon runners take part simply for the challenge of completing the course but such riders would really be better catered for in non-timed charity rides. If you are interested in acheiving a good time i.e. riding competitivly then you should be at a race.
I disagree with the above
I disagree with the above comment. I don’t want to race, I want to enjoy my cycling with my friends and other like minded people. I agree there are some that treat it like a race but, having seen little of it on the sportive in question on Sunday, they’re a minority.
You may not be a fan of sportives and prefer racing, if the sportives are banned what do you think will be the next target of choice for the NIMBY!?
The truth of the matter is that this actually has little to do with cycling, it’s about an attitude and culture developing in the New Forest among some residents who feel it’s their personal space and not to be shared with the likes of you, me and Joe public.
Holy thread resurrection
Holy thread resurrection Batman.
Just to let you know that Ms Sevier has lost her safe seat on NFDC in an election which has also seen the New Forest’s first ever Green and Labour councillors elected.
Change be a’comin…