Cycling is cool – but cyclists are miserable and lazy, says British public

It's interesting how the 'lazy' aspect has also hijacked this site as well as the Daily Moron. Here, though, it's probably because it's the most, let's say, surprising, and most insulting. Whereas for gutter press readers it's probably a case of 'Aha, I always knew cyclists were lazy scruffy losers. Now I'm proved right'. No, I think there really are people who are that thick.

I wonder if the absurd 'lazy' perception is due, in part at least, to the type of young 'scruffy' type of bike user who looks like he's just got out of bed at 12 o clock and saunters through red lights? Maybe he attracts more annoyed attention from Daily Smug and Daily Moron readers than than all other cyclists put together. This is because such people are more interested in being angry at others, and therefore right about everything themselves, than in anything like fairness or accuracy.

I agree the most worrying finding is not the angry thing, but the high percentage of people who think that the roads are for cars, and not for bikes. Why do they think this? It's just as barmy as the 'lazy' rubbish.

Jeremy Clarkson has a primitive ape brain with some kind of amazing device which allows him to speak English, a device manufactured by a car industry research lab. It's astonishing what the boffins can do these days.

I'm so lazy, that instead of driving to Guildford, I cycle. After-all it's only a 40-odd mile round trip.

When I did the 2010 London Skyride, instead of taking the train, I cycled there and back, around 52 miles, including the ride around the course.

Please note: I'm not casting aspersions on Prof. Tapp's findings, just the views of the Daily Moron-reading public.

My colleagues have suggested I'm a bit of a nutter for commuting through London by bicycle. I don't think any of them have cosnidered me lazy though.

It is not the cyclist that are miserable, it's the drivers how have been sold the illusion of freedom, but then find the cyclist and not them, who have the freedom of the road...

Hi, I also worked on this research into cycling attitudes with Alan Tapp. The research was representative of GB adults and as Alan said overall there were some very encouraging trends in attitudes towards cycling becoming more positive, not least the 42% of the British public think cycling has become cool nowadays.

Perhaps those people who felt cyclists to be “less hard working” and “more lazy” than themselves were members of the population who felt the need to justify why they don’t cycle to themselves, or cycle more often. Some people might refer to cyclist as being lazy because they themselves don’t feel they have the time to cycle (rightly or wrongly) perhaps it’s a defence mechanism whereby excusing them in their own minds.

I don't think the study is biased it's just that a lot of people have a set of views/opinions/attitudes that on the face of it are contradictory, but harsh to blame the study for people having irrational attitudes - as the Prof said, in his opinion the "lazy" thing is a bit of a red herring, but of course it hooked us in. Maybe we should change that headline then. Hang on…

It reminds me of the Jeremy clarkson rant at cyclists to 'get a real job so you can afford a car'. Though I'm not sure he'd shout that at Alan Sugar.

I thought the most important and worrying stat was the 28% who think roads are for cars only. That's way higher than I'd expected (& wanted to see)

"presumably squeezing your fat backside out of your car and developing some attractive sweat marks on your expensive suit as the day wears on. But as long as you look the part, hey thats all that matters..."

No bias in the study then

Simon - your post reminded me of this bit of Onion gold:

http://www.theonion.com/articles/temp-hides-fun-fulfilling-life-from-res...

Yay for him. As he said, pity it was hi-jacked, but it's still good that it's been read widely, and the overall results seem useful and promising ...

Thanks for getting in touch Prof Tapp and setting the record straight - as you say a fair chunk of your findings seem to be positive for cyclists and cycling, Do you have any plans to make it available online any time soon?

Hi all I am the author of this study. Martin you are spot on - the whole 'lazy' thing is a red herring which in retrospect I heartily wish I hadnt put in the press release, as this was used by the right wing press (Sun, Express) to hi-jack the entire study.

The study was a robust piece of research looking at attitudes of the UK population to cycling and cyclists. The majority of it was really good news for us given how cycling has languished in this country compared to more positive cultures elsewhere. The UK public on balance think cyclists are more likely to be independent minded, a free spirit, environmentally conscious, confident, brave, fitter and healthier than non-cyclists. The 'lazy' thing was very odd - and I think reflects the view that if you a 'serious' career person you drive into work, presumably squeezing your fat backside out of your car and developing some attractive sweat marks on your expensive suit as the day wears on. But as long as you look the part, hey thats all that matters...

To be fair, Prof. Tapp is reporting his findings - it's not his job to say that the people saying it are clots.

40--45 km a day, four days a week... having to get in for before 09:00, even though I fall asleep at like half-three... yeah; I'm lazy and miserable.

I would not consider a 20 mile commute as a leisure activity but a battle of wills and survival of the fitest!!! I prefer to spend several hours out on b and unclassified roads as my form of 'leisure' cycling!!! Oh I'm on my day off which is why I'm able to post comments and getting ready to hit the roads for a wee 'leisure' spin!!!

Lazy because only people who can't afford cars would possibly cycle, and we don't work hard enough to buy one? Or because it's a leisure activity, as Alankk says. The mind boggles.

What a load of bollocks, Who did Professor Alan Tapp get this insightful feedback from? He should hang out with the Marketing Cock end who came out with "MAMIL" maybe they could write a cycling manifesto together so us cyclists could workout our place in Society.

It might be perceived that people who choose to cycle instead of driving are not in a hurry to get to work and thus perceived as lazy for using his time in leisure activity on work days.

is the perception not that they/we are lazy workers? that you cant take your job seriously and do a proper days work if you've just cycled to it? agree though its still illogical.

I can only imagine that the 'lazy' stereotype comes from motorists who think that its only possible to cycle-commute a mile or so to work. Therefore we must be lazy, since we can't be bothered to look further afield for work. That's the only reason I can think of for such blatant and illogical prejudice.

Hmmm, so I'm lazy and less hard working despite the fact that I work a 45 hour week, am on my feet all day and doing manual labour. I also cycle a 2o miles round commute in all weathers - (last years winter was mental!!!) as well as the weekly big run

I read about the increase in bicycle sales and yet I see no one else on the roads during the week bar me and the occasional club cyclist. It seems that whilst huge inroads have been made on cycle awareness the only time you see bicycles on the road is a sunny Sat/Sun afternoon and the roads continue to be as congested and dangerous as ever!