Depressing complaint to the ASA

coshgirl66
coshgirl66 Posts: 45
edited June 2009 in Commuting chat
Hello, I've just heard that there has been a complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority about the latest Transport for London advertising campaign as the cyclists are pictured without helmets. The ASA are now contacting TfL to investigate - but I can't see that they have any case at all given that helmet wearing is not compulsory. I might take it upon myself to complain to the ASA the next time I see a campaign showing cyclists wearing helmets, as it depicts cycling as more dangerous activity than it is. Will be interested to see the outcome...

Comments

  • The Chingford Skinhead
    The Chingford Skinhead Posts: 718
    coshgirl66 wrote:
    Hello, I've just heard that there has been a complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority about the latest Transport for London advertising campaign as the cyclists are pictured without helmets. The ASA are now contacting TfL to investigate - but I can't see that they have any case at all given that helmet wearing is not compulsory. I might take it upon myself to complain to the ASA the next time I see a campaign showing cyclists wearing helmets, as it depicts cycling as more dangerous activity than it is. Will be interested to see the outcome...
    We could aways put in complaints that ads showing peds or drivers never show them wearing helmets even though they are statistically at greater risk of head injury...
    Pain is only weakness leaving the body
  • prj45
    prj45 Posts: 2,208
    That so sad.

    Still, London will be full of helmetless cyclists if the Velib style scheme goes ahead, no compulsion to wear a helmet if you hire a bike.
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  • Jay dubbleU
    Jay dubbleU Posts: 3,159
    Nanny state strikes again :twisted:
  • msw
    msw Posts: 313
    Hello, I've just heard that there has been a complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority...

    Don't know how you heard but I'd reserve judgement on the accuracy of that until something's published. We all know a lie can be halfway round the world before the truth has got its boots on.


    Nanny state strikes again

    Except it hasn't actually done anything about the probable non-complaint. Meh.
    "We're not holding up traffic. We are traffic."
  • el_presidente
    el_presidente Posts: 1,963
    msw wrote:
    Hello, I've just heard that there has been a complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority...

    Don't know how you heard but I'd reserve judgement on the accuracy of that until something's published. We all know a lie can be halfway round the world before the truth has got its boots on.


    Nanny state strikes again

    Except it hasn't actually done anything about the probable non-complaint. Meh.

    Oi! stop coming on here with your reasonable well thought-out opinions and measured sensible responses!
    <a>road</a>
  • Kieran_Burns
    Kieran_Burns Posts: 9,757
    el_presidente wrote:
    msw wrote:
    Hello, I've just heard that there has been a complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority...

    Don't know how you heard but I'd reserve judgement on the accuracy of that until something's published. We all know a lie can be halfway round the world before the truth has got its boots on.


    Nanny state strikes again

    Except it hasn't actually done anything about the probable non-complaint. Meh.

    Oi! stop coming on here with your reasonable well thought-out opinions and measured sensible responses!

    Yes!

    How dare you. I had the pitchforks sharpened and torches lit. Letter to the Daily Mail is already on the way damn' it all to hell.
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  • coshgirl66
    coshgirl66 Posts: 45
    Listen there was definitely a complaint. I have insider knowledge. Nuff said.
  • emdeef
    emdeef Posts: 98
    Can you find out who made it?
  • coshgirl66
    coshgirl66 Posts: 45
    It just a member of the public as far as I'm aware. Not sure I can get any more info than that
  • Roastie
    Roastie Posts: 1,968
    coshgirl66 wrote:
    Hello, I've just heard that there has been a complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority about the latest Transport for London advertising campaign as the cyclists are pictured without helmets. The ASA are now contacting TfL to investigate - but I can't see that they have any case at all given that helmet wearing is not compulsory. I might take it upon myself to complain to the ASA the next time I see a campaign showing cyclists wearing helmets, as it depicts cycling as more dangerous activity than it is. Will be interested to see the outcome...
    That is just daft.

    Suggest you make the CTC and LCC campaigns people aware of this.
    David
    Engineered Bicycles
  • Headhuunter
    Headhuunter Posts: 6,494
    prj45 wrote:
    That so sad.

    Still, London will be full of helmetless cyclists if the Velib style scheme goes ahead, no compulsion to wear a helmet if you hire a bike.

    That's true, hadn't thought of that. It's not as if every potential user of the Velib bikes is going to carry a helmet with them all day just in case they decide to use one of the bikes
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  • sarajoy
    sarajoy Posts: 1,675
    prj45 wrote:
    That so sad.

    Still, London will be full of helmetless cyclists if the Velib style scheme goes ahead, no compulsion to wear a helmet if you hire a bike.
    "Hourbike" is just emerging in Bristol, I had a shufty at the bikes outside the Royal Infirmary last night. Great big clunky things - not seen anyone on one yet...
    4537512329_a78cc710e6_o.gif4537512331_ec1ef42fea_o.gif
  • roger_merriman
    roger_merriman Posts: 6,165
    sarajoy wrote:
    prj45 wrote:
    That so sad.

    Still, London will be full of helmetless cyclists if the Velib style scheme goes ahead, no compulsion to wear a helmet if you hire a bike.
    "Hourbike" is just emerging in Bristol, I had a shufty at the bikes outside the Royal Infirmary last night. Great big clunky things - not seen anyone on one yet...

    heavy bikes, bristol hills, does any one else see a problem here? okay the very very center is flatish but don't have to go far to get contors, okay hardknott pass they may not be, but even so, they are unlikely to be rented out by keen cyclists?
  • Stuey01
    Stuey01 Posts: 1,273
    Don't they have to investigate all complaints?
    Anyone can complain about anything.

    Unless they actually do anything about it then this is about as much of a non-story as I have ever seen, even on here.
    Not climber, not sprinter, not rouleur
  • Headhuunter
    Headhuunter Posts: 6,494
    roger merriman wrote:
    sarajoy wrote:
    prj45 wrote:
    That so sad.

    Still, London will be full of helmetless cyclists if the Velib style scheme goes ahead, no compulsion to wear a helmet if you hire a bike.
    "Hourbike" is just emerging in Bristol, I had a shufty at the bikes outside the Royal Infirmary last night. Great big clunky things - not seen anyone on one yet...

    heavy bikes, bristol hills, does any one else see a problem here? okay the very very center is flatish but don't have to go far to get contors, okay hardknott pass they may not be, but even so, they are unlikely to be rented out by keen cyclists?

    Barcelona is mountainous not just hilly and the Velib scheme there works. Granted most of the bikes end up at the bottom of hills and have to be taken up again by lorry. Come on Bristol peeps, you can do it!
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  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    What if the advert showed some cyclists wearing helmets, and showed helmets of all creeds and colours, and recumbent bikes too, and trikes?
  • bomberesque
    bomberesque Posts: 1,701
    Stuey01 wrote:
    Don't they have to investigate all complaints?
    Anyone can complain about anything..

    ^that.I'd love to see a compendium of some of the crazier stuff that people complain to teh ASA about. I'm struggling with what this would have to do with ASA anyway, tbh. No chance of dishonesty and as for causing offence? That would be a stretch.
    Stuey01 wrote:
    Unless they actually do anything about it then this is about as much of a non-story as I have ever seen, even on here.

    Pretty sure you're not trying hard enough then :wink:
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