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“Transfer your pulsing rage directly onto cyclists,” urges bizarre anti-cycling column; Fans celebrate as ‘nice guy’ Sepp Kuss wins Vuelta; Wacky conspiracy theories abound as Wales introduces 20mph speed limit; Thriller in Madrid + more on the live blog

It’s Monday, and the Vuelta may be over, but Ryan Mallon’s ready to hit the live blog week with all the optimism of someone following an early Remco Evenepoel attack
18 September 2023, 11:25
“Easily triggered?”: Scottish journalist publishes bizarre column urging motorists to “transfer your pulsing rage directly onto cyclists”

Just when you thought the world of anti-cycling columns couldn’t plunge any deeper, especially after Jeremy Clarkson’s latest tirade against the “two-wheeled Stasi” or the Spectator’s almost monthly assertion that “Lycra-clad” cyclists “own the roads”, well think again.

Because yesterday the Herald published one of the more bizarre anti-cycling bingo rants of recent times, courtesy of commentator and former deputy editor Kevin McKenna.

Ten years ago, you may or may not recall, McKenna condemned a campaign to introduce a system of “strict liability” in incidents involving motorists and vulnerable road users, claiming that cycling in Scotland was strictly the preserve of the middle class and that the move would risk “criminalising innocent citizens”, while forcing them to “chug along permanently in second gear” behind cyclists on the roads.

> Cities are for cars - and the Road Share campaign criminalises motorists, says Scots commentator

Well, it seems as if McKenna’s attitudes towards cycling haven’t dimmed in the intervening ten years, judging by a column in which he urges readers to create their own “wellness plan” to combat and find an outlet for their “repressed rage” – with one element of his plan involving “transferring his rage” onto one of his seemingly many “triggers”: Cyclists on the road. Which sounds extremely safe for all involved.

“Cyclists,” he begins, readying his anti-cycling bingo pen. “To the unwary, these gentle and unassuming road snails are merely well-meaning types with too much time on their hands who are seeking fresh air and exercise amid the grandeur of Scotland’s wild open spaces.

“Then you begin to realise that you’re about to be late for making the working contribution to society that they seem to be dodging.”

Ah yes, the ‘cyclists holding up people actually trying to go to work and help society’ trope, good one. Because no cyclist ever uses their bike to commute. Ever.

Commuters (CC licensed image by kube414_Flickr).jpg

Just look at all these work-shy leisure cyclists, holding all the important people in cars up…

Next, he moves onto one of the more recent anti-cycling bingo lines, fuelled no doubt by the reaction to LTNs and the ‘extra pollution’ they cause:

“Worse, your carbon footprint is going from a manageable size six to a dangerous size 10 as you slow to a crawl and your engine begins to consume more petrol, along with the long line of cars behind you.”

So, what’s McKenna’s doubtlessly thought-provoking solution?

“In my personal wellness plan I’ve now pledged to take a deep breath before gently edging out and around the cyclists and taking up a position directly in front of them. And then slowing right down to about two miles an hour.

“Thus, you transfer your pulsing rage directly on to them. You need only do this for about three minutes. But it will lead to better mental health outcomes, knowing that you’ve given these insidious and sanctimonious weapons a taste of their own medicine.”

Ah, delightful.

> Jeremy Clarkson "anti-cycling" column "peddles hate for easy money"... but does anyone actually care any more?

Though it seems like the bingo enthusiasts in the Herald’s comments section appreciate McKenna’s words of, ahem, wisdom.

“Spot on about cyclists, Kevin. Must try your 2mph trick,” writes Gordon, who for some reason I’m imagining as one of the Self-Righteous Brothers from Harry Enfield and Chums – ‘Oi, cyclists, no!’

Turns out that his frankly bizarre column isn’t the only unprovoked dig aimed at cyclists by McKenna in recent days:

Obsessed much, Kev?

18 September 2023, 15:37
Are Jumbo-Visma the Barca, All Blacks, and Chicago Bulls of cycling?

I can sense another creepy AI-generated video on its way…

18 September 2023, 14:57
London bike shop Velorution set to close as owner cites economic conditions and bus crashing into shop as key factors behind decision

Velorution, the London bike shop that in recent months saw two motorists, including a bus driver, crash into two of its four branches, has announced that it is closing after 20 years of business.

In April, the driver of the Route 19 bus crashed into one of Velorution’s shops on Chelsea’s King’s Road, smashing right through the store’s window.

And a month later, another motorist careened sideways into the Marylebone branch, prompting the company’s social media to ask, “are we being targeted?”

During a tough year for the cycling industry, the two bizarre incidents compounded the issues facing Velorution, with the owners putting the business up for sale last month.

In a statement posted to the company’s Linkedin at the weekend, the owners confirmed that the business, which started off as a small shop near Oxford Circus, before expanding to four branches and an online shop, is set to cease trading.

“Velorution has been serving the London bike community for nearly 20 years, but sadly due to the economic conditions (which have been particularly harsh on the cycling industry) and circumstances beyond our control (a bus crashing into our Chelsea store certainly didn’t help), we have sadly decided to enter into a programme which will involve the closure of each of Velorution’s four shops and its website,” the statement said.

“Whilst we’re currently offering 25% off everything (some exclusions apply) on our website we will be undertaking a closing-down sale from the 18th of September for approximately one week. All of our stock will be sold so be sure to grab a one-in-a-lifetime bargain – either online or in-store.

“We’d like to take this moment to thank every single one of our customers who has shopped with us over the past two decades. Whether that’s been buying a bike, visiting us for a service or even just buying a coffee from our famous trike (which is also for sale) – it’s been a great journey and we hope to see another generation of Velorution in future.”

18 September 2023, 14:33
Jonas Vingegaard, doing what every cyclist in the world does after a tough race…

Ah, he’s really just like all of us Cat 3 plodders after all…

18 September 2023, 13:52
Magpie attack
Cyclist who almost lost his eye in “killer” magpie attack urges riders to wear glasses during swooping season

A cyclist from Melbourne who almost lost his eye after being swooped by a magpie is encouraging other riders to wear sunglasses during the coming swooping season in Australia, the Daily Mail reports.

The Australia magpie is notorious for attacking cyclists while defending its territory during the spring nesting season, with Remco Evenepoel and Grace Brown among the pros that were swooped upon while training ahead of last year’s world road race championships in Wollongong.

> "It was terrifying": Remco Evenepoel and World Championships pros suffer magpie attacks

Christiaan Nyssen was riding his bike at Yarrawonga, near the Victorian-New South Wales border in November 2021 when he was struck by a swooping magpie, who proceeded to peck at his eye.

“I have been attacked countless times and don’t have a fear of the birds,” Christian said in a statement released today.

“This bird turned around and went straight for the eye, did a backflip and hit me right in the eye again. A neighbour said I was the fifth person to be attacked.”

Following the attack, he was left unable to see out of the eye due to iris trauma, but eventually underwent surgery to repair the retina and remove the entire lens.

Nyssen says that while the severity of the attack was “one in a million”, he believes it would have been prevented if he had decided to wear his cycling glasses that day as the magpie “wouldn’t have had something to aim at”.

18 September 2023, 13:12
Cyclist challenges council over barriers on popular cycle route that “discriminate against disabled people”
Cyclist challenges council over barriers on popular cycle route that "discriminate against disabled people" (Alastair Fulcher)

A cyclist in Newcastle has sent a legal letter to the city’s council to challenge the lawfulness of barriers on a National Cycle Route which prevent him from accessing the path on his recumbent.

Alastair Fulcher has Parkinson's Disease which affects his balance, core strength and ability to walk, but is able to continue to enjoy cycling thanks to his tricycle.

However, the 61-year-old from Wallsend, is unable to ride the National Cycle Route 72 past Pottery Bank due to the barriers installed to prevent motor vehicles accessing the route.

Read more: > Cyclist challenges council over barriers on popular cycle route that “discriminate against disabled people”

18 September 2023, 12:37
Searching for new tyres as we slowly creep into autumn? Well look no further…
best road bike tyres

> Best road bike tyres 2023 — ride faster and further with fewer punctures: Our top picks and personal recommendations of the best road bike tyres, whether you're after speed, comfort, durability or value

18 September 2023, 11:58
Crimes against cycling fashion, part 211

Nope, just nope – and that’s before we even get onto the questionable dot placement…

Remco Evenepoel: Great rider, horrible style.

18 September 2023, 10:57
Disturbing footage allegedly shows teenager kill cyclist in shocking hit-and-run

Absolutely shocking and sickening, this…

Las Vegas hit-and-run (Twitter)

Following the death of a retired police chief who was killed in a hit-and-run while cycling in Las Vegas last month, police in the Nevada city have arrested a 17-year-old driver and are now investigating a shocking video which emerged on social media allegedly showing the incident.

In the appalling footage, filmed by the passenger and widely shared on social media this weekend, a driver is seen travelling towards a cyclist, the two occupants of the vehicle laughing before one can be heard saying “yeah, hit his ass” seconds before the collision.

Afterwards, someone is heard saying “he got knocked out” before another voice adds “get out of here”.

Read more here: > Disturbing footage allegedly shows teenager kill cyclist in shocking hit-and-run

18 September 2023, 10:28
20mph sign (CC licensed by EdinburghGreens via Flickr)
Wales becomes the first UK nation to introduce blanket 20mph speed limit in built-up areas… and the conspiracy theories are already rolling in

Yesterday, as you may already know, Wales became the first country in the UK to introduce a default 20mph speed limit, reduced from 30mph, in built-up, residential areas.

The new law means that the speed limit will be altered on roughly 35 percent of roads in Wales where lampposts are no more than 200 yards apart.

According to the Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford, the change will “keep people from losing their lives”.

“It’s going to take you a minute longer to make your journey, and we will save 10 people’s lives in Wales every year as a result of that one minute contribution – it doesn’t seem an unfair bargain,” the Labour politician said.

Despite the estimated £33 million cost, the Welsh government also says improved road safety resulting from the lowered speed limits could result in a £58 million saving due to reduced emergency service demand over the next 30 years.

However, this latest salvo in the so-called ‘war on motorists’ has not gone down well in certain corners of social media, where one anti-20mph advocate argued that the timing of a certain major news story this weekend is all an elaborate ruse to keep our minds off the Welsh government’s heinous attempt to stop motorists flying through residential streets…

Alright, maybe that’s enough internet for today…

18 September 2023, 09:57
Primož Roglič, 2023 Vuelta a España (Luis Angel Gomez/SprintCyclingAgency)
All the gifts: Is Primož Roglič Santa Claus?

Speaking of ‘gifts’ and the Vuelta, Primož Roglič – the rider reportedly most unhappy at being unable to race for the win at the Spanish Grand Tour – played the role of the ultimate present-giver (albeit without the white beard) after yesterday’s final stage in Madrid, tossing energy gel after energy gel to punters watching the podium presentations in the Spanish capital.

According to Daniel Friebe on The Cycling Podcast, the ever-irreverent Slovenian grabbed a big stack of leftover gels, both from his own pockets as well as those of this teammates, before throwing them into the crowd and wishing everyone a “merry Christmas”, over and over again, for around 30 seconds.

Make of that what you will… But at least you can’t say Primož Roglič doesn’t like dolling out gifts.

18 September 2023, 08:51
Sepp Kuss, stage 21, 2023 Vuelta a España (Rafa Gomez/SprintCyclingAgency)
Romance from Durango: Fans celebrate as the ‘nicest guy in cycling’, Sepp Kuss, wins Vuelta a España – But why is the American so popular? Because he’s “human” and a “noob”, apparently…

A few hundred metres behind the action-packed, Remco and Ganna-driven finale, Sepp Kuss sat up alongside his Jumbo-Visma teammates (wearing a rather underwhelming homage to their unprecedented Grand Tour triple success), as they lined up across the road to toast the American’s first ever triumph at one of cycling’s biggest three-week races.

By winning the Vuelta, not only did the 29-year-old from Durango, Colorado, seal the deal on his team’s history-making season, but he also became the first American in a decade to win a Grand Tour, after 76-year-old Chris Horner beat Vincenzo Nibali at the 2013 Vuelta (probably best not to delve too deeply into the previous decade’s list of US Grand Tour winners, mind you…).

Kuss’s transformation from loyal and invaluable mountain domestique (he’s had a hand in all six of Jumbo-Visma’s previous GT wins from 2019) to big race winner was, of course, achieved amidst the backdrop of a fledgling and ultimately stifled civil war within the Jumbo-Visma camp, as confusion reigned over who called the shots on the road, prompting a messy and wholly unnecessary PR battle for hearts and minds.

Jumbo-Visma celebrate after stage 21, 2023 Vuelta a España (Rafa Gomez/SprintCyclingAgency)

(Rafa Gomez/SprintCyclingAgency)

In fact, ever since Kuss gained over three minutes on the peloton from the break on stage six, and took the red jersey two days later, it was the American’s two teammates, Tour champ Jonas Vingegaard and Giro winner Primož Roglič, who appeared the most likely to rob him of a career-defining triumph.

No gifts in cycling, eh?

Perhaps because of this internal conflict, Kuss has emerged as an almost universally popular winner of the Vuelta, a race otherwise defined by Jumbo-Visma’s clinical dismantling of the opposition and overwhelming dominance.

And Kuss’s popularity, and sense of romanticism within a ruthless team, was made abundantly clear on social media as he took to the podium for a (very long) speech in front of Madrid’s iconic Cibeles Fountain:

But what makes the American so popular amongst cycling fans and his fellow and former pros?

Well, Kuss himself thinks he has the answer:

“Because I’m human, because I’m a noob,” he told Spanish reporters after yesterday’s final stage. “Because I’m more a cyclist than a rider.”

Fair play, GC Kuss, fair play.

18 September 2023, 08:05
Kaden Groves wins stage 21, 2023 Vuelta a España (Rafa Gomez/SprintCyclingAgency)
Thriller in Madrid: Was the Vuelta’s nail-biting climax the best final road stage of a grand tour in years?

I thought I’d kick off today’s live blog with a bit of a recap of the final weekend of everyone’s third favourite grand tour: the Jumbo-Visma Company Picnic and Bike Ride – sorry, I mean Vuelta a España!

And before we get onto the obligatory Sepp Kuss love-in, let’s turn our attentions quickly to that absolute stonker of a stage 21 through the streets and dead turns of Madrid – because whoever said that final grand tour stages in national capitals are always dull processions with five minutes of racing at the end?

Well, if anyone mentioned that long-held cycling truism on the outskirts of Madrid yesterday afternoon, Remco Evenepoel certainly wasn’t paying attention.

The polka dot-clad (in too much polka dots if you ask me… those shorts) Belgian ripped up the script, tearing off the front with none other than Filippo Ganna and green jersey Kaden Groves – the two favourites for the stage in a sprint, remember – in his wheel with over 35km left to go.

Remco Evenepoel attacks on stage 21, 2023 Vuelta a España (Tommaso Pelagalli/SprintCyclingAgency)

(Tommaso Pelagalli/SprintCyclingAgency)

After bridging up to the earlier move featuring Nico Denz, Lennard Kämna, and Rui Costa, Remco and his mates proceeded in turning the final few laps around the Spanish capital into a pulsating pursuit match.

After as delicately poised a final 30km as you would ever dream of witnessing, during which no-one (apart from the all-knowing Carlton Kirby on comms) would dare to predict how it would pan out, a brief moment of hesitation with just one kilometre to go amongst the hitherto committed attackers seemed to spell the end of their romantic escape.

However, with 500m to go, just as the ragged peloton finally latched onto the break, Evenepoel – who else – thought ‘sod this’ and drilled it at the front. The Belgian’s acceleration, though doomed from the start, nonetheless perfectly teed up his breakaway companion Groves (who only slipped into the break initially to keep an eye on the marauding Evenepoel for the green jersey competition) to take an exhilarating, unpredictable third stage win of the race.

On paper, with Ganna again taking second behind Groves, yesterday’s final stage of the Vuelta resembled a typical bunch sprint. On the road, it was anything but.

While Mark Cavendish’s win in Rome on the final day of this year’s Giro d’Italia carried with it a sense of fate and history-making, yesterday’s thriller in Madrid certainly must go down as one of the best non-TT final grand tour stages in modern cycling history.

In fact, it’s been a while since we’ve had such a pulsating road stage on the last day of a three-week race. Back in 2005, Alexander Vinokourov attacked – was there any other way for Vino? – to win solo on the Champs-Élysées at the Tour de France, repeating the feat of Bernard Hinault, who broke clear (in the yellow jersey no less) alongside GC rival Joop Zoetemelk to upset the sprinters on the famous Parisian boulevard in 1979.

It’s been 18 long, long years since we last saw an attacker win on the Champs – but with Remco set to turn his attention to the Tour over the coming years (he’ll have to wait until 2025, of course, thanks to next year’s Nice finale), that long champagne-sipping, processional drought could soon come to an end.

Come on Remco, we’re all banking on you…

After obtaining a PhD, lecturing, and hosting a history podcast at Queen’s University Belfast, Ryan joined road.cc in December 2021 and since then has kept the site’s readers and listeners informed and enthralled (well at least occasionally) on news, the live blog, and the road.cc Podcast. After boarding a wrong bus at the world championships and ruining a good pair of jeans at the cyclocross, he now serves as road.cc’s senior news writer. Before his foray into cycling journalism, he wallowed in the equally pitiless world of academia, where he wrote a book about Victorian politics and droned on about cycling and bikes to classes of bored students (while taking every chance he could get to talk about cycling in print or on the radio). He can be found riding his bike very slowly around the narrow, scenic country lanes of Co. Down.

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38 comments

Avatar
hawkinspeter | 1 year ago
8 likes

I don't know about others, but if I encountered a bunch of cars travelling at 2mph (which is a common occurrence in Bristol congestion), then I just filter/overtake them. I'd rather they weren't there, but it's not something that would enrage me.

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Clem Fandango replied to hawkinspeter | 1 year ago
13 likes

Despite all the projecting & strawmen in that piece, it does confirm that all of the "frustration" directed at cyclists is basically coming from one place - ie "they cause me to have to slow down (and drive to the conditions) a bit on occasion & not drive at or above the prevailing speed limit".   A frustration which, being entirely controllable by the frustratee (?), is, as my daughter would say "a you problem".

Yes - "hold me up" in my "legitimate journey to somewhere" and I'll be apoplectic at the delay because I just can't waste a second.  Solution:  slow down & add time to my journey - ha! that'll learn 'em!   

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geomannie 531 | 1 year ago
7 likes

The Herald used to be a decent local paper for the Glasgow area but these last 10 years it has been turning increasingly right wing populist, including the vilification of cyclists. It seems determined to give drivers reason to assault me as I go about my cycling on Glasgow’s streets.

I cannot forgive the Herald for the attached 2018 article after which I immediately cancelled my subscription. Read it and weep.

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Oldfatgit replied to geomannie 531 | 1 year ago
10 likes

"Some of my friends are cyclists" .. hmm. Hopefully not after reading this putrid piece of crap.

Looks like my commute is going to be even easier now, thanks to this ... "person".

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chrisonabike replied to geomannie 531 | 1 year ago
8 likes

Meh.  Can't be arsed to wade through it all and the format's ubiquitous - grab attention by picking a fight in the first paragraph.  Let 'em wonder if you're going to keep it up, then double-down.

Normally they throw in the odd "you and I..." and references to stuff they can't afford for added chumminess.  Ageing bar-room edgelord in print, basically.  Just how much hyperbolic nonsense they think the editor will bear varies of course.  In this case both writer and editor appear to have been at the cherry brandy.  Or maybe it was written and edited while both were concentrating on more taxing matters like driving their progeny to cello lessons or angling for event tickets.

Feels like I've been reading pretty much the same article (adapted to fit different topics) for years now.  I can't even guess if this guy actually believes any of it.

Avatar
cmedred | 1 year ago
1 like

Thought at first this was a typo - "after 76-year-old Chris Horner beat Vincenzo Nibali at the 2013" - but then realized it must be a joke about just how ancient Horner was when he won his first and only grand tour. 

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Steve K | 1 year ago
12 likes

I say we find out where this McKenna bloke has his boat, and all get in front of him in pedalos.  Who's with me?  

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HoldingOn | 1 year ago
3 likes

Not looking forward to my cycle home (not from work - obviously) - I will have to compete with rage filled motorists driving at 2mph (and to support their mental health I won't pass them) and swooping magpies (or do they only swoop at cyclists in Austrailia?)

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Steve K replied to HoldingOn | 1 year ago
7 likes

HoldingOn wrote:

Not looking forward to my cycle home (not from work - obviously) - I will have to compete with rage filled motorists driving at 2mph (and to support their mental health I won't pass them) and swooping magpies (or do they only swoop at cyclists in Austrailia?)

They are different magpies.

Only issue I've had over here with magpies was almost losing control when I took my hand off the bars to salute one.

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Clem Fandango replied to HoldingOn | 1 year ago
9 likes

Oh come on. With all the recent "debate" about 20mph speed limits I think we all know that driving at 2mph would be impossible given the superhuman powers of concentration that are needed to stay at 20....

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quiff | 1 year ago
19 likes

Happy 20mph day! My first experience of it yesterday - being overtaken downhill by a white van (when I was already doing 20mph, and in what has long been a 20mph zone anyway) who then immediately had to brake in front of me because the car in front was sticking to the speed limit. I shouldn't have, but I continued my momentum, overtook again and slotted back in where I was.

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Surreyrider replied to quiff | 1 year ago
0 likes

I had to drive into and out of Kingston in south west London twice last week, where a 20mph speed limit operates. Hardly any vehicle even got close to sticking to that. One in front of me, probably reached 40 before braking hard for a vehicle only doing 30 before it turned off and the speed went straight back up to 40ish.

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brooksby | 1 year ago
2 likes

If the Streets Were on Fire review – hope on show as BikeStormz riders fight knife crime

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/sep/18/if-the-streets-were-on-fire...

Quote:

If the Streets Were on Fire is released on 18 September in UK cinemas.

Avatar
eburtthebike | 1 year ago
9 likes

“Thus, you transfer your pulsing rage directly on to them. You need only do this for about three minutes. But it will lead to better mental health outcomes, knowing that you’ve given these insidious and sanctimonious weapons a taste of their own medicine.”

Throbbing rage surely, Kevin?

This latest iteration of bizarre, dangerous, anti-cycling rhetoric is showing that things are getting worse, and we need some form of protection from these deluded psychopaths.  It's pretty clear that Kevin is worried about his mental health, with good reason: he's a psychopath.

I wasn't sure if psychopaths was the right word, so I looked up the meaning:

"A person who is manipulative, dishonest, narcissistic, unremorseful, non-empathetic, and exploitative may be a psychopath. Criminality, promiscuity, and lack of responsibility are also common traits associated with psychopathy."

That pretty much describes every anti-cyclist media "star" I've seen.

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Surreyrider replied to eburtthebike | 1 year ago
2 likes

Isn't it hate speech?

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Car Delenda Est replied to Surreyrider | 1 year ago
2 likes

iirc the anti hate speech law only applies to the groups that parliament has selected for protection

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mitsky | 1 year ago
3 likes

"... and bus DRIVER crashing into shop ... "?

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HarrogateSpa | 1 year ago
12 likes

The biggest single purpose of car trips is leisure. Next comes shopping.

The idea that people in cars are on vital economic missions, without which Britain will go bankrupt, is false.

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brooksby replied to HarrogateSpa | 1 year ago
0 likes

Where is this taken from?

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HarrogateSpa replied to brooksby | 1 year ago
1 like

It comes from this article, and the original source is the National Travel Survey.

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brooksby replied to HarrogateSpa | 1 year ago
0 likes

HarrogateSpa wrote:

It comes from this article, and the original source is the National Travel Survey.

Thank you, HS yes

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chrisonabike replied to HarrogateSpa | 1 year ago
7 likes

(BTW I agree...) But but but those leisure trips ARE important for the economy!  Recall all those people driving to out-of-town shopping centres into towns who keep the high street alive!  Think of all our tourist attractions (like the Maccy D's drive-thru) which require a car to access.  And we need people to keep driving and buying fuel (supporting our native oil industry petrol stations / all the electricity we'll produce very expensively via nuclear through ten times as many windmills somehow), wearing out the roads (to keep our roadmenders in business) etc.

As the more extreme examples of motordom from the US illustrate, organising housing and ameneties around an extremely space-inefficient mode of transport is a good way to bankrupt your council, never mind make terrible "places" which then require motor vehicles to traverse.

I think the overlap between leisure, shopping and commuting is a fruitful spot to look at - because cycling and walking seem to lend themselves more to "place" than the motor vehicle.  Pick up some shopping on the cycle home from work, or meet some friends in a local centre after walking the kids to school (collecting sundries en-route).

One for whoever's succeeding Mary Portas I guess.  I always thought politicians tend to sound rather contradictory on "high streets" and "place" vs. "economic growth" / "business" / "globally competitive"...

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Left_is_for_Losers replied to chrisonabike | 1 year ago
0 likes

chrisonatrike wrote:

(BTW I agree...) But but but those leisure trips ARE important for the economy!  Recall all those people driving to out-of-town shopping centres into towns who keep the high street alive!  Think of all our tourist attractions (like the Maccy D's drive-thru) which require a car to access.  And we need people to keep driving and buying fuel (supporting our native oil industry petrol stations / all the electricity we'll produce very expensively via nuclear through ten times as many windmills somehow), wearing out the roads (to keep our roadmenders in business) etc.

That's a very sensible comment - facts are, cars facilitate the economy and without them we would be a lot further backward in all aspect of our lives.

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levestane replied to Left_is_for_Losers | 1 year ago
8 likes

Other facts are that economics as practiced has trashed the global biosphere and delivered social injustice on an unprecidented scale. 

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Cugel replied to levestane | 1 year ago
2 likes

levestane wrote:

Other facts are that economics as practiced has trashed the global biosphere and delivered social injustice on an unprecidented scale. 

LifL and his ilk often come out with the "cars are convenient/useful" trope, neglecting to notice the enormous deleterious effects of this technogy and many, many others. Even when the deleterious effects rise up to swamp their own ground floors in a rotting slime, they continue their "techno-is-wunnerful" bleat, often offering up their habitual prayer that further technological "innovations" will solve all the problems wreaked by the previous technological innovations.

Alas, not even the bicycle will save us. Various loons about the planet will continue to develop and use technologies that can blast billions of cyclists away to nowt, along with everything else. No matter how many "nice" techs are found, there'll be more than enough nasty ones to continue the ongoing work of human self-destruction. And more than enough power-crazed loons to use them.

But LifL will hope he is able to enjoy his frequent car rides to Junk-R-Us shops right up to the end! By then, it'll also be legal to run over cyclists as they will have become "enemies of the people", a eumphemism for "not sufficiently supportive of the mad swivel-eyed loon in charge of the wrecking crews".

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Car Delenda Est replied to Left_is_for_Losers | 1 year ago
2 likes

try reading that again

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mitsky | 1 year ago
9 likes

Could Kevin McKenna face legal/criminal consequences for promoting terrorism/incitement to violence?

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hawkinspeter replied to mitsky | 1 year ago
13 likes

mitsky wrote:

Could Kevin McKenna face legal/criminal consequences for promoting terrorism/incitement to violence?

He'd just claim that it was 'bantz' or some other way to avoid taking responsibility for his nonsensical rantings.

For those of you who wish to make an IPSO complaint about that article, note that it's "HeraldScotland" in the drop down box as opposed to "The Herald".

https://www.ipso.co.uk/complain/

Avatar
Backladder replied to mitsky | 1 year ago
4 likes

mitsky wrote:

Could Kevin McKenna face legal/criminal consequences for promoting terrorism/incitement to violence?

2mph in a car is no different to just stop oil gluing themselves to the road, surely the police will arrest him?

Avatar
mitsky replied to Backladder | 1 year ago
0 likes

laugh LOL

Good point.

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