A conversion?

eternal_headwind
eternal_headwind Posts: 222
edited January 2009 in Campaign
What do you think of this?

http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7656841.stm

Comments

  • downfader
    downfader Posts: 3,686
    No. He'll have a run in with a driver or get cold and get back in his car. :lol:

    Didnt they run this artical back in 2004? :lol:
  • eternal_headwind
    eternal_headwind Posts: 222
    I have emailed the reporter. I will let you know...
  • eternal_headwind
    eternal_headwind Posts: 222
    Kevin kindly emailed me today and told me he not only rides to work but now (when able) uses his bike during work to go to local reporting jobs.

    His reply was very honest and I hope he enjoys many happy and healthy years of cycling.
  • Eat My Dust
    Eat My Dust Posts: 3,965
    What's he doing going up a two inch kerb?
    SNAPS
  • boybiker
    boybiker Posts: 531
    I do wish people wouldn't label cyclists as environmentalists, :roll: I really don't wish to be associated with anything even slightly related to 'saving the planet.'
    The gear changing, helmet wearing fule.
    FCN :- -1
    Given up waiting for Fast as Fupp to start stalking me
  • boybiker
    boybiker Posts: 531
    Also judging by his comments the guy is clearly not very bright, do we really want him as a convert? I vote for throwing him back.
    The gear changing, helmet wearing fule.
    FCN :- -1
    Given up waiting for Fast as Fupp to start stalking me
  • eternal_headwind
    eternal_headwind Posts: 222
    I agree with you as far as labelling us all the same way, but disagree with the rest. The article itself isn't too good, but I suspect it's quality is down to inexperience and not stupidity.
    Boybiker: I feel I must ask a question. If he were stupid, would you rather he got off the bike, got back into his car and then drove on the same roads as you?
  • CarKiller
    CarKiller Posts: 60
    Takes ages to drive through rush hour in an expensive cage does it now? DUHHHH. Only taken the moron 30 years to notice. Should he really be out without his nurse?

    Sake!

    In other news, bear shits in wood.
  • Kenjaja1
    Kenjaja1 Posts: 744
    The criticisms and the negative comments about Kevin he Convert are unfortunate. The guy has given an honest account of how he had his Damascus moment and openly explains the views he held before his conversion and his current opinions.

    He represents one more person riding a bike and one less car clogging the roads and using petrol. He is fitter and healthier and enjoying his cycling. To achieve this he first had to question his own (pre-conversion) ideas about cycling and cyclists. This has been partly instigated by listening to what his children were telling him. And yet he is being critcised and labelled as "stupid" (and worse). I hope no one here is suggesting newbie cyclists should pass an IQ test before being allowed out with a bike - or that we should discourage cycling among those who do not share our views.

    His article is to be welcomed. It is aimed, at least in part, at motorists who share the ideas he held before getting on his nice new bike. It may just strike a cord with some of them and his evangelising may lead to further converts.

    I congratulate him and hope he continues to enjoy his cycling.
  • eternal_headwind
    eternal_headwind Posts: 222
    Thanks Kenjaja, it's nice to know not everyone has been taking stupid pills.
  • simple_salmon
    simple_salmon Posts: 457
    Sometimes I think some people would rather 'keep cycling to ourselves' so they can continue to moan about how bad the roads are.

    1 more bike = 1 less car. Who cares about how or why someone changed their behaviour; just be happy they did.
  • number9
    number9 Posts: 440
    One FEWER car FFS!

    :wink:
  • simple_salmon
    simple_salmon Posts: 457
    Would whoever logged in as me and used bad grammar please stop it 8)
  • number9
    number9 Posts: 440
    You're right anyway salmon, we shouldn't be precious about newbies, no matter how idiotically they ride with no regard for anyone else. I don't mean the chap in the OP but bomb dodgers in London can be very IRRITATING when they pull ahead of you at lights and stop dead in front of you, but I think killing them and all their family and neighbours and people who owe them money would be going too far.
  • OldSkoolKona
    OldSkoolKona Posts: 655
    I think the thing to concentrate on is the fact that someone who wouldn't regard themself as a 'cyclist' is now cycling to work. To be honest, these are the best people to be targeting for taking up, even occasional cycling. I think we'll all agree, that the best way to appreciate the challenges someone faces (in this case us, as cyclists on the roads), is to have spent some time in their shoes. Its not a perfect article, but its a start.

    The best reaction to newbies is to offer advice, provide training and help them progress, rather than write them all off. I'm sure some of us (yes even us :lol: ) weren't perfect the first time they went out on a bike on the road, and that through experience over many years, we've learnt how to be better road users. I know I'm still learning and I'm no newbie :wink:

Categories