Village bans cyclists

[Catweasel]

Interesting that some of you - all of you? seem to have ignored the reality of what has actually happened...

Council Chairman Hilary Brudenell said: 'We are a very small community and although it's a very small problem it's an annoying one too.
'I appreciate we've not got the Tour de France coming through Great Budworth but villagers have expressed annoyance and we just thought it was sensible at this stage to say "hey, this isn't right".
'We are on the Cheshire cycling way and the village is a well entrenched route for cyclists.
'This is the first complaint we have sent out and we just hope its acts as a gentle warning to some cyclists to be a little more considerate in future.'

That seems pretty reasonable.

As for the behavior of the cyclists vs. the behaviour of the residents - well, they published interviews with what? 4 or 5 locals. No doubt they spoke to a lot more and only published the ones that suit their style of "journalism" but are you telling me that, given the amount of cyclists moving through the village, that there's never been a single incident?

I run, cycle, a fair amount and I've seen, and have encountered, some what I'd call pretty despicable behaviour from those clad in lycra. These include being scalped on a regular basis, being shouted out, being hit - not to mention excessive speeds in high population areas.

The moral of this story? There's a PR problem in the village and it's on the heads of the cyclists to fix it.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

'It causes more problems that they don't go in single file. Why can't they just be more considerate to everyone. They don't own the roads. '

Yeah why can't they? A little consideration goes a long way

 

[hopless500]

As said above, it's not a ban. They don't have the authority to do that anyway. And as for doing up to 40mph. Get them in the TdF quick!

 

[Jody]

"I'm a cyclist and a driver, and am sure that the majority of cyclists are decent. But when I drive behind lycra warriors cycling two abreast etc., it makes me spit with rage......"

Classic Daily Mail comment switcharoo. Get people on your side and agreeing with you by claming to be "one of them" even though everything after that is utter bile.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Am I the only one to have misread the title as "Village Bans Idiots"?

 

[Tim Hall]

The moral of this story? There's a PR problem in the village and it's on the heads of the cyclists to fix it.

The moral of this story? Clickbait journalism is alive and well.

 

[Brandane]

From a purely selfish point of view, this report and the comments accompanying it are one more reason why I preferred cycling before the so called "cycling boom".
Like it or not, it has created something of an anti-cycling attitude outwith cycling circles. When it was a small scale minority sport/pastime/method of transport, (call it what you like) we weren't seen as a problem.
I suspect it is only a problem in certain parts of the country, as I haven't actually noticed any "cycling boom" in the west of Scotland. I think the terrain, and more likely the weather, has put paid to any likelihood of that ever happening. However, people being the sheep like characters that they are, may well read the DM drivel and target cyclists whether there is a local problem or not, as the media are making us fair game with this type of garbage journalism.

 

[Catweasel]

FWIW this issue has been raised by more than a few news organisations. The DM had their own spin on it, others, like the telegraph, offered up a less sensationalist headline - but the basic statements/facts still stand.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I was planning to ride through Great Budworth on Saturday on my way to Anderton Boat lift. Do I have to find a new route?

I do like the idea of a CC picnic on the village green.

Be sure to post some pictures of the boat lift, please.

 

[Accy cyclist]

It was't much the article so that got my back up more the comments. Gloating about knocking cyclists off, spreading drawing pins on the floor, saying we're all fat gits in lycra, encouraging violent acts against cyclists and the expected crap about not paying road tax. I've suggested before that we should have government sponsored public information films informing the public about such things, like they did in the 60's and 70's. Stuff like this

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8DTNFnNI0g
but informing the thicko motorists that you can't legally knock people off their bikes and NO ONE HAS PAID ROAD SINCE 1937!!

 

[Accy cyclist]

Think we need to plan a CC picnic on their village green ...

Make sure though that you have 5 pints in the pub before, then you can pee in their gardens and mow them down as they head to church!

 

[steveindenmark]

How do you hurl abuse without making a sound?

 

[rich p]

@nickyboy , you may have to re-route the Manc to Llan ride...

 

[steveindenmark]

Yeah why can't they? A little consideration goes a long way

Because if you have 40 cyclists in single file it would take far longer for some of the drivers to pass them and encourage some close overtakes in the process. By riding in a peleton it keeps everyone safer.

 

[Markymark]

How do you hurl abuse without making a sound?

My wife can manage it with a well timed glare.