Cycling Minister: "Even females could ride bikes!"

[Brandane]

How is the meaning different?

Why don't you show me where the minister said "Even females could ride bikes"?

 

[glenn forger]

It's in my op.

 

[glenn forger]

even if they are middle aged, or female

Even females could ride bikes! He's talking about slow cyclists, be good if he addressed why cyclists feel safer if they keep up with motor traffic speeds.

 

[Glow worm]

There's a cycling minister?! In the UK? WTF does he do all day?

 

[glenn forger]

He decides how motorists should have more say on "their" roads:

http://road.cc/content/news/98207-c...ts-give-motorists-greater-say-how-their-roads

 

[Glow worm]

 

[Pat "5mph"]

There's a cycling minister?! In the UK? WTF does he do all day?

He goes about London on a Boris bike, frequently stopping for tea

 

[glenn forger]

He aches to join the lycra mob, but they mock him. He always says hello and they just snigger. One day, he says to himself, one day.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

He aches to join the lycra mob, but they mock him. He always says hello and they just snigger. One day, he says to himself, one day.

If the minister was a lady, all you mamils would have to fit a basket by law

 

[Brandane]

If the minister was a lady, all you mamils would have to fit a basket by law

......And she would be saying "Even fat males could ride bikes". Or something with similar words but a totally different meaning. Maybe.

 

[snorri]

If the minister was a lady, all you mamils would have to fit a basket by law

Haha! Is it possible to give a post a Double Like?

 

[srw]

He aches to join the lycra mob, but they mock him. He always says hello and they just snigger. One day, he says to himself, one day.

I think you're finding offence where there's none to be found.

@Adrian is right (in his second post) - the basic sentiments are fine, but could have been expressed better. I've posted elsewhere about how seriously most of my fellow commuters seem to take their (often short) commute. It's neither a race nor a training opportunity - it's a ride to work. The more people who just get out on a bike the more people who will realise that it's a sensible way to get about.

The moans about the rain are a red herring. It rarely rains (the figure of 12 days a year springs to mind from somewhere). A waterproof coat and a pair of waterproof overtrousers sort out those days.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Well, I'm happy to ride in "normal" clothes - jeans or walking trousers and a waterproof jacket. If that makes someone think that they too could get on a bike and ride somewhere then I think that's a fantastic result.

+loads

been out and about today in shirt and tie on my bike, I did loosen the tie & undo my top button tho.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

The least noticeable feature about cyclists for non-cyclists on London's streets is the lycra. Much higher in their profile are the lights, the bright colours, the helmets, all of which accentuate the danger/visibility aspect. And, what would you know, the main reason why these other groups don't cycle is because it's perceived to be dangerous, exposed, vulnerable, not separated from fast moving traffic. And yet it's lycra that gets mentioned. Classic distraction stuff though not quite up with Boris' headphones standard.

I can only conclude that there is a fetishised taboo centred on lycra amongst those that don't wear the stuff in public. I have to wonder what these guys wear at their private parties.

Going to a bike fair and asking for cycle clips is a bit like going to an arms fair to buy a peashooter.

 

[glenn forger]

He's talking about slow cyclists. He wants to encourage pootling (although he calls it "tootling" for no apparent reason). My Polish friend has been seconded to London for 6 months, sharing a flat with a Belgian girl in Bermondsey, the office is High Holborn. She says there is no way she'd cycle in London, she can't understand how people do it. She's terrified of the buses and lorries and heavy traffic and speeding. I didn't know what to say, you can't say "Don't be daft", I couldn't put myself in her shoes, you can't argue with someone that there's nothing to be scared of. It's a shame, it made me think how to encourage her but I'd hate it if she didn't enjoy the ride. She is not scared of the roads because of bloody lycra.