ASA/ Cycling advert/ You just couldn't make it up...

[oldstrath]

You probably have a point, we'll just have to wait and see. Perhaps my natural contempt for 'authority' is clouding my judgement again. I'd still like to know more about this 'independent' review panel.

I'd like to know how they arrived at the drivel about road position, other than by asking the five other knuckle draggers in the office whether bikes getting in the way annoy them as well.

 

[summerdays]

I'd like to know how they arrived at the drivel about road position, other than by asking the five other knuckle draggers in the office whether bikes getting in the way annoy them as well.

If you did the old cycling proficiency many years ago I suspect it didn't use different road positions .... I can't remember mine really apart from the fact it took place in the playground ( and I definitely didn't have a helmet). So if that is your experience of cycling you might think that was the right place to be. (Why am I even trying to defend them???).

 

[Glow worm]

Well I guess we'll just have to see what this 'Independent (ha ha ha!) Panel' come up with.

Edit- looks like this clart heads up the panel. I'm saying nowt.

 

[oldstrath]

If you did the old cycling proficiency many years ago I suspect it didn't use different road positions .... I can't remember mine really apart from the fact it took place in the playground ( and I definitely didn't have a helmet). So if that is your experience of cycling you might think that was the right place to be. (Why am I even trying to defend them???).

You're right, it didn't. Think the driving test may have changed a little as well, wonder if thry noticed.

 

[Venod]

The CTC wants your help,

http://www.ctc.org.uk/blog/chris-peck/which-ads-are-now-banned-your-examples-wanted

I like the Hovis ad, a classic.

 

[qigong chimp]

Five complaints? That'll be Matthew Parris, Jeremy Clarkson, Kate Hoey, James Martin and... it gets tricky here: Nigel Havers or Emma Way?

 

[Poacher]

Having mulled this over for a few days, and taken into consideration the car adverts with which the ASA have found no cause for concern whatsoever, I've concluded that an "Independent Review" is not sufficient.

What's really needed is a complete change of personnel at the ASA. The current crew have demonstrated beyond question that they're not fit for purpose.

 

[jefmcg]

I've been thinking about what a terrible advertisement it is, in a practical sense. The point of the ad is to teach drivers that they must give a cyclist plenty of room, even if it means crossing the centre line. The ASA watch the ad repeatedly, and yet come away with the idea that the cyclist should be in the gutter. How many other drivers reached the same conclusion?

 

[Sara_H]

Having mulled this over for a few days, and taken into consideration the car adverts with which the ASA have found no cause for concern whatsoever, I've concluded that an "Independent Review" is not sufficient.

What's really needed is a complete change of personnel at the ASA. The current crew have demonstrated beyond question that they're not fit for purpose.

I agree. I'm very concerned that an authority with so much influence can make rulings such as this with no specialised knowledge or experience on the subject matter or without taking expert advice or guidance into account.

It seems to me you may as well have asked a bunch of taxi drivers having their lunch break in the pub whilst reading the daily mail for their opinion on whether the ad should have been allowed and how cyclst should be portrayed in future, as it seems their opinion is likely to have been as well informed as the ASA.

 

[marknotgeorge]

Can someone explain to me what a public information film about road safety has to do with advertising standards?

 

[swee'pea99]

Having mulled this over for a few days, and taken into consideration the car adverts with which the ASA have found no cause for concern whatsoever, I've concluded that an "Independent Review" is not sufficient.

What's really needed is a complete change of personnel at the ASA. The current crew have demonstrated beyond question that they're not fit for purpose.

In truth, it'll always be a toothless beast whatever happens to the personnel, for the simple reason that they take so long to reach decisions that by the time they decide to ban an ad, if they do, it's already completed its schedule. When I raised this with one of their 'Investigations Executives', I was told that, "the adverse publicity should the complaints be upheld is likely to be the major concern for the advertiser".

...enough to set them all a-tremble, no doubt,

 

[srw]

Can someone explain to me what a public information film about road safety has to do with advertising standards?

It's still an advert - advertising public information about road safety.

 

[marknotgeorge]

It's still an advert - advertising public information about road safety.

It's not advertising anything. As far as I can see, it doesn't even suggest going elsewhere for further information.

 

[snorri]

Their statement doesn't give me any confidence that they'll retract their statement on the lack of a helmet.

The ASA has withdrawn its formal ruling against a Cycling Scotland ad pending the outcome of an Independent Review. That followed a request from Cycling Scotland, in which it argued that the ASA’s criticism of the positioning of the cyclist was incorrect. The decision to withdraw was made by the ASA Chief Executive in light of a potential flaw in our ruling. Once the Independent Review process is complete we will publish our decision on our website.
​

Their review appears to centre on the criticism of the cyclist's road position, not the freedom to choose whether to wear a helmet.

GC

I was concerned about this GC, not only the helmets but also the hi-viz, and wrote to the ASA again, here is their response......

Dear Mr xxxxxx
I would like to reassure you that the Independent Review will give Cycling Scotland the platform to challenge not only our findings about the positioning of the cyclist in the ad but also the issue regarding the wearing of a cycle helmet/attire.
Kind regards
Matt Wilson
Matt Wilson
Press Officer

 

[glasgowcyclist]

I was concerned about this GC, not only the helmets but also the hi-viz, and wrote to the ASA again, here is their response......

Dear Mr xxxxxx
I would like to reassure you that the Independent Review will give Cycling Scotland the platform to challenge not only our findings about the positioning of the cyclist in the ad but also the issue regarding the wearing of a cycle helmet/attire.
Kind regards
Matt Wilson
Matt Wilson
Press Officer

Thanks for that.

GC