60 Minutes - Vicious Cycle

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Comment by Sebastian Pawelski on March 20, 2010 at 10:30pm

I just watched the 60min piece on the wheel wars and felt I should drop a line.
I was appaled at so many things in that show.
Good old Liz was humourous at the idea of riding to work and that cycling might actually BECOME a viable mode of transport. Actually it has been for over a century, and as it turn out, its quicker and healthier than other modes. I leave aside environmental aspects, as its a fashionable topic, and we all know this.
The NSW Premier is a nice, but in London, the Mayor of London, possibly future Prime Minister (Dave Cameron), and an endless list of celebs, News readers in their 50-60s, artists, polititians all ride to work. I cant see the likes of John Laws and Eddie McGuire etc throwing the leg over soon.
I was horrified at the suggestion that regos, id and cash are the solution. If this happened over night, would it immediately GUARANTEE curtious driving.....please. I would pay the $200 a year to be guaranteed 40cm between me and the curb and 60cm of space to my right at all times. Surely, a law protecting that must come as part of the deal!!!! Can anyone see that happening? Its a dream!!! The legistlation would not cope. There would be no way of policing bad driving, let alone punishing it. It would be a massive step backwards.
I cant believe that idea was dignified with air time!!!! Good old 60min- I forgot that they need a sensationalist second side to the story.
I used to live in Melbourne and Adelaide, I now live in London. Have lived here for 7 out of the last 10 years. I was appaled at what is happening in OZ.
When in Adelaide, i feared for my life- lots of coutry bumpkins in 4x4s, utes and just a huge lack of awareness generally. Melbourne was better- drivers had to actually open their eyes- You know, stopping for trams, Hook Turns. It felt pretty good after Adelaide, but still iffy. Melbourne's SS Culture and love of bikes was refreshing. The police seemed to have a pinch of common sense with helmets. They did not prowl around every corner to but a student riding down Brunswick Street without a helmet, obviously, just going to the local shop to buy a six pack.
I ride to work at least 4 days a week, in Central London. There are bad drivers here too and the attitute is still miles behind Holland/Belgium/France/Denmak and Scandinavia, but I generally find it brilliant. The rule here is that everyone is curtious, apart from an odd white van man, or a person having a bad day. Generally rare. I dont wear a helmet here either. In fact, I only wear one for events that involve Alpine descents or Mountain Biking. My father lived here for 3 years, and loved cyclo commuting everyday. Went back to Adelaide and he had more close shaves ina week than in 3 years here.
For the record, the British Cycling Federation actually rejects proposals to make helmets compulsory- why? Its an additional cost, barrier and inconvenience, which may prevent people from taking up cycling, or making that trip by bike. (My girlfriend would ride to a wedding in London or Holland. If it meant putting on a helmet, or risk a fine, or mess up her hair, she might think twice).
I think education, good example and accessability is the key. I used to get laughed at arriving at work in lycra 10 year ago in London. Now I get nods from dozens that do the same. There is a bike2work scheme here, where the employer buys you a bike and you pay back, fractionally, out of your pay packet. It means a tax free bike. Bit like a company car. This get a remarkable amout of people into it. Also, ALL govermnet dept and large organisation have to have a transport plan, which must cover provision for reducting pollution and measyres to actively encourage green options- cycling and car pools are two favourites! London's cycling population exploded in 2005, driven by the explosions of the terrorist bombs. It has continued to rise ever since.
There are no easy cures, but increase in the cycling population gives power of numbers at least.
I wish I had the answers, but the courts and laws are not it.

Comment by Alex 4.0 on March 16, 2010 at 11:42pm

I too held my breath. It's a shame they left him to answer some of the 'big' driver/cyclist questions off the box in the chat session - the interview list was
1 celebrity commuter (nsw premier)
1 celebrity 'angry driver' posing as an authority on the subject (motor journalist)
2 cranky cyclists
no real impartial views. nice to see (curro?) get on the bike and 'sample' the culcha but a week of it without the cameras would have been a more scientific sample. no interviews with industry heads, roads ministers ...