BBC accused of bias over helmet campaign on Crimewatch Roadshow; Tour de France BLM gesture "embarrassing", says Wiggins; Cargo bike "best thing we ever bought", says Jason Kenny; "I'm not dead", says baffled bike shop owner + more on the live blog

Made a complaint about the Crimewatch helmet item, and received a rapid response;

"Thank you for contacting us about Crimewatch Roadshow Live, broadcast 21st September 2020, with your concern about the item on cycling helmets.

Crimewatch Roadshow Live reports on a range of serious crimes and appeals which are relevant to our audiences. This item did not endorse any campaign, but highlighted a very personal point of view from a former police officer who believes wearing a bicycle helmet saved his life. It was made clear that there is a debate over whether helmets should be compulsory but that they are recommended by The Highway Code.

We hope this helps and we thank you for taking the time to contact us.

Kind regards,

BBC Complaints Team"

The usual inevitable brush off, so I have written back demanding that it be investigated properly.  Note that the response claims that it "did not endorse any campaign..."   Not effing much.

I didn't realise that wearing a bike helmet would stop my bike being stolen!  That changes everything...

The BBC has been running a propaganda campaign on cycle helmets since 1982, when it broadcast a "You and Yours" prog on R4 promoting helmets and interviewing Angela Lee, the founder of the Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust, and nobody else, breaking many of their own rules.  They have had many features since promoting helmets, almost all of which broke their own rules again, including featuring James Cracknell who was sponsored by the helmet manufacturer; on the same prog they did interview a helmet sceptic, but cut the bit where he said that helmets weren't effective, having promised him that it would be included.

There is a prog on R4 which claims to refute modern myths and expose the use of dodgy statistics "More or Less" and it had a segment on cycle helmets; for the first and only time in the prog's history, it didn't examine any statistics or data, only interviewed helmet zealots and the presenter made his views clear, which broke just about every rule they've got.

I've complained many times, but the BBC is judge and jury on complaints, and all have been dismissed, despite the clearest possible evidence of bias and rule breaking.

Three weeks ago, the new head of R4 was interviewed and said that he would be making sure that items were produced tackling incidents of perceived wisdom being wrong, so I emailed him suggesting that he start with cycle helmets; no response.  I've sent him a letter, including an SAE for an answer; no response.

The BBC is clearly, blatantly promoting cycle helmets, against all its own rules and refusing to allow contradictory opinions or to examine the facts.  I've no idea why, but I am absolutely sure that they are doing it.  Clearly, complaining isn't going to change anything, so what else can we do?  Protests outside Broadcasting House?

I certainly agree about the TERN GSD. It's a brilliant cargo bike. It does replace a car in the city. And before anyone pipes up 'you can't carry a fridge on a bike' you don't need to. `And if i ever do I'll hire a van for the afternoon. But I don't need a 4x4 24/7 just in case one day i have to carry a fridge. 

In another programme, David Baker tells that we should all wear stab vests in case of stabbing.
Also all women should wear clothes which cover them up completely to guard against rape.
He added "I always wear a crash helmet and fire retardant suit whilst driving".

Black on black murder in the US accounts for about 95% of black murder cases. 

Somebody tell BLM the tale is wagging the dog. Then again BLM is just white marxists now anyway and one of the BLM leaders is a paedo. 

It's interesting to hear how other people view this topic, e.g. where they are coming from. (without turning into a bun fight)

There's a 'Brothers on Bikes' chapter near me, I always seem to see a group of their riders out and about. 

There's also a Sikh cycling group which meets up at the local costa, I've seen maybe 30of them at any one time meeting up. 

I'm quite friendly with the 4-6 main traditional cycling clubs in the area which probably account for maybe 1500members, I don't see much colour in these clubs. Yes there are certainly riders from all creeds and colours but the % are small all over. 

...Maybe I'll reach out to the two named clubs above and ask them what they think.

For diversity in cycling you need to look to the US of all places! Justin and Cory Williams' Legion of Los Angeles is a prime example. I would love to see how Justin would get on if he was given a chance to race on this side of the Atlantic. The man is a machine!

It's quite simple from my view, If you want to cycle, cycle. Regardless of creed or colour, there aren't any real barriers, if you're good you're good. 

 I think there would be more black cyclists in the tdf if it was something they were genuinely interested in, It's not something that is promoted really in black culture. Lord knows they excel at other sports, why not cycling ? The Williams brothers in the US are prime examples, they are outstanding on the US Crit scene and have built an amazing team.

I live in Birmingham and I'm seeing a definite increase in the amount of Asian cyclists out and about, not many black cyclists though ? 

There are also biological reasons.  I think one reason swimmers aren't typically black as bone density is higher.  But I don't think that would affect the sprinter end of the spectrum, in fact it should be an advantage. Just not so likely to see GC contenders.  Obviously all that is racism aside, which I'm sure is the main reason.

Team Qhubeka Dimension Data, I thought were doing a good job of highlighting inequalities a few years ago.. they brought Daniel Teklehaimanot to the tdf with some success and won a stage on Africa day (?).. a bit token I know but there was a huge PR machine behind them and it really was a big thing at the time... sponsorship pressures as usual cocked that all up.. the current world tour team of NTT does not look like it's carrying on in the same vein. 

Anyone who doesn't think there is a problem with inclusivity in cycling is deluded. Women are just about acceptable ffs.

Why has Road CC shared a twitter comment from a person who's Twitter page clearly marks them out as a racist? Surely you can do better than that?

In many ways cycling is one of the most inclusive sports there is.  You can succeed whether you are 5ft 2 and 50kg like Tom Pidcock (or similarly sized Colombian riders) or 6ft 3 and 80kg like Tim Declerq.  Not many sports allow such a diverse physical range to compete at the top level.