Ian Macgill, editor of the Grapevine magazine, which is delivered free to 23,000 homes in Sheffield each month, wrote an editorial that implied razor wire across pavements might deter cyclists.
The original article recounted a conversation between Macgill, and an “old chum Mr Smith” in which the latter called for wire to be introduced at head height, so pavement riders are “taught a lesson.”
In what is presumably meant to be a 'humorous' editorial, Macgill expressed reservations about the idea touted by “Mr Smith” and said his companion had eventually calmed down and agreed that his plan was a bit too radical.
The editorial ended with the line: “if you lop the heads off cyclists our pavements will become covered in red slime and gore which raises all kinds of health and safety concerns.”
Sheffield daily newspaper The Star subsequently published a reaction piece from the city’s cycling community, in which Macgill was accused of “legitimising hatred” against cyclists.
Sheffield-based cycling blogger Chris Maloney told The Star: “This kind of comment – joking or otherwise – legitimises the anti-cyclist hatred and rhetoric that groups like Ride Sheffield, Peak District MTB and me – as well as others such as CycleSheffield have worked hard – successfully I might add – to combat.
“And more than that, as well as legitimising the bile, Macgill has gone one step further and suggested ways in which an easily led idiot could cause serious bodily harm.”
In May of this year a cyclist in Swansea described how he came off his bike after riding into a fishing line stretched across a popular cycle route – and warned that had a child ridden into it, the consequences could have been much more serious.
Instead of apologising Macgill confirmed his position and told The Star: “Here’s what to do – reproduce my July editor’s article and ask for your readers’ comments regarding cyclists using Sheffield pavements as racetracks.
“Then send out a snapper to see how many of these idiots can be photographed in a couple of hours.
"Name and shame them, especially those with a camera on the helmet. In (the) olden days, cyclists dismounted when passing through pedestrian areas.”
According to The Star, the controversy comes as figures revealed hundreds of cyclists have been injured and some killed on Sheffield’s roads over the past decade.
The figures from South Yorkshire Police showed a total of 1,445 cyclist casualties – including three deaths, 314 serious casualties and 1,128 slight injuries – had happened within the last 10 years.
I was supposed to be in court next Monday as a witness to careless driving but sadly Birmingham Magistrates Court has been closed due to fire...
Funnily enough this does 95% of what my ex-Birdy did for 25% of the cost! Only omission on a commuter imo is the mud guards.
no I dont believe it currently calculates the aspect that this vehicle that starts behind you then passed within randomly plucked from air value of...
https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/20138199.cyclist-involved-four-in......
Just from that one picture, it seems obvious to me that the separate bike lane turns off to the left through a modal filter, so cyclists who want...
Same here, and the bottle never leaves my hand afterwards either...
Going by updates, it looks like Chris' supplies were actually (accidentally?) donated to a local food bank. He now has them back.
LOL, it was Grace o Groats, that was John's mother; he didnt bring the correct messages from the Shop in scotland and had to go back again.
I expect a driver to be able to judge for himself how far he can move over without tipping over. If he does tip the tractor over into a ditch on...
No. You must have missed the memo about the new HC rules which put the onus firmly on the bigger, more powerful vehicle operator.