http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: All cyclists guilty of pious arrogance (EEN op ed) en Mon, 18 May 2026 05:49:48 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11146&page=2#post-239552 Wed, 21 Dec 2016 13:14:17 +0000 wishicouldgofaster 239552@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The annoying thing about articles like this as it encourages half-wits negative attitude towards cyclists.</p> <p>I also get mighty hacked off that if one cyclist does wrong then all cyclists are to blame. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11146&page=2#post-239524 Wed, 21 Dec 2016 08:48:22 +0000 rust 239524@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>"Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering."</em> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11146&page=2#post-239523 Wed, 21 Dec 2016 08:29:03 +0000 minus six 239523@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Ultimately they hate their own lives, don't they</p> <p>Reeling around in the vacuousness of shallow UK society</p> <p>Lashing out at the easy scapegoat for their angst</p> <p>More to be pitied than scolded, one might surmise </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11146&page=2#post-239521 Wed, 21 Dec 2016 00:39:37 +0000 jules878 239521@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I was also surprised that the Cockburn Association saw fit to share the article on Facebook. </p> <p>I spent some time reading all the comments there (but not on EEN). I find it astonishing how many say they "HATE" cyclists.</p> <p>HATE is a very strong word. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11146&page=2#post-239517 Tue, 20 Dec 2016 23:30:42 +0000 gkgk 239517@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I see someone questioned, on the fb thread, why the Cob Soc is posting this sort of stuff. Just knowing them vaguely, as an architectural heritagey group, I was a bit taken aback. Do they really want to get into this in this way? Evening News rants? Maybe I've got a higher view of them in error as they tend to be quoted in the context of classy things like old town planning applications etc. A quick scan of their FB posts suggests they are a one-person op with a fondness for the Evening News. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11146&page=2#post-239468 Mon, 19 Dec 2016 18:33:47 +0000 LaidBack 239468@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Fortunately for cyclists, car drivers check their lights regularly so it is as rare as hens teeth to see drivers breaking the law in this respect. </em></p> <p>Drivers not using their lights is more common than many drivers realise. There are no road users beyond criticism and some casual offences by drivers are so common that they've stopped being noticed I reckon.</p> <p>On our side of the equation... standards of lighting on bikes do vary widely as we have no real standard (unlike Germany).</p> <p>So in the city you have some feebly lit slow moving 'student bikes' versus some bikes which are (perhaps) over lit.</p> <p>I saw a new take on lighting. A guy on an MTB with what appeared like a yellow flashing jacket. Turns out he had two front lights. One shining ahead and the other shining back towards him onto his jacket intentionally. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11146&page=2#post-239458 Mon, 19 Dec 2016 18:02:53 +0000 chdot 239458@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>And if she still lives where I think she does, no excuse for cycling on the pavement.</p> <p>And she doesn't have a garden gate. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11146&page=2#post-239452 Mon, 19 Dec 2016 17:53:23 +0000 unhurt 239452@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>And those burrowing mole-cyclists - a real danger when they pop up in the middle of the road. At least they always wear helmets... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11146&page=2#post-239450 Mon, 19 Dec 2016 17:45:19 +0000 jdanielp 239450@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@unhurt presumably she must be driving a convertible so that she can see when a cyclist is about to fall on her. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11146&page=2#post-239447 Mon, 19 Dec 2016 17:17:54 +0000 cb 239447@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>"Our garden gate leads to the pavement, where cyclists often whizz along causing us to leap backwards when we step out, especially if we have the dog on a lead which could cause two humans, a cycle and a dog to be left in a mangled heap."</em></p> <p>Such poetic writing, the words just skip off the page. With a little more effort she could be a journalist or something. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11146#post-239445 Mon, 19 Dec 2016 17:09:00 +0000 unhurt 239445@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>This piece was shared by the Cockburn Association on Facebook earlier: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1640732329276076&amp;id=127366580612666" rel="nofollow">https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1640732329276076&amp;id=127366580612666</a> Recently they seem to take the view that quality urban planning means defending the "right" of motorists to drive everywhere.</p> <p>The usual comments, and one complaining about having to "strain [her] neck every trip trying to see cyclists who potentially are coming at me in all directions - quite literally!" I <em>think</em> she's unhappy about... having to look in her mirrors and check her blind spots? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11146#post-239442 Mon, 19 Dec 2016 16:36:46 +0000 davidsonsdave 239442@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"In winter my husband has a driving “game” in which he counts the number of cyclists without lights, especially in dark, unlit areas."</p> <p>He sounds fun.</p> <p>Fortunately for cyclists, car drivers check their lights regularly so it is as rare as hens teeth to see drivers breaking the law in this respect. I definitely did not speak to a WVM driving with no working brake lights nor see several cars with faulty headlights just this morning. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11146#post-239439 Mon, 19 Dec 2016 16:06:28 +0000 gkgk 239439@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Interestingly, since this thread started, circulation of that paper has dropped by almost a third (approx. 32k to 23k). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11146#post-239438 Mon, 19 Dec 2016 16:04:55 +0000 amir 239438@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"In winter my husband has a driving “game” in which he counts the number of cyclists without lights, especially in dark, unlit areas."</p> <p>Not a very exciting game but I suppose at least he trying to see the cyclists </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11146#post-239437 Mon, 19 Dec 2016 16:00:24 +0000 gibbo 239437@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>"Cyclists should have lights at night, wear reflective clothes, obey traffic lights and should not “undertake” on the left"</em></p> <p>You mean "filtering." Which is legal and is a consequence of you drivers expecting cyclists to stick to the left. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11146#post-239436 Mon, 19 Dec 2016 15:59:16 +0000 gibbo 239436@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>"In winter my husband has a driving “game” in which he counts the number of cyclists without lights, especially in dark, unlit areas."</em></p> <p>"Especially"?</p> <p>Her husband expects cyclists to have lights on in daylight? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11146#post-239430 Mon, 19 Dec 2016 14:00:49 +0000 Murun Buchstansangur 239430@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The EEN's own Glenda Slagg-alike has once again disseminated the echoes from within her skull void:</p> <p><a href="http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/opinion/helen-martin-cyclists-like-drivers-must-obey-the-rules-1-4318722" rel="nofollow">http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/opinion/helen-martin-cyclists-like-drivers-must-obey-the-rules-1-4318722</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11146#post-125168 Tue, 17 Sep 2013 21:08:03 +0000 gembo 125168@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I think in general there is a piety that merges into arrogance inside all cyclists. We are also quite smug. But these are not our defining characteristics. I was tooted by a clown in a van this morning as had temerity to stay in primary a little too long for his liking at Caledonian brewery. However, as I easily caught him in the contraflow he then couldn't make his mind up about turning left or going straight on at ardmillan. But I still had nicer time than he did. Temp traffic lights at digger v slow to change but still smugly, piously, arrogantly enjoying myself whilst remaining alert for traffic mayhem.</p> <p>Who reads the EEN.?? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11146#post-125167 Tue, 17 Sep 2013 20:56:03 +0000 Charterhall 125167@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Pious arrogance, just the words that spring to mind whenever the IAM's Neil Greig issues a press release. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11146#post-125131 Tue, 17 Sep 2013 13:11:10 +0000 crowriver 125131@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>If people are asked for a quote, they should just request the journo's email address and send something to them in writing. </em></p> <p>In my experience, this is no guarantee that you will not be misquoted. A journalist can still 'paraphrase' what they <em>imply</em> you said to suit their story 'angle'. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11146#post-125118 Tue, 17 Sep 2013 12:13:15 +0000 chdot 125118@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>There's a better editorial view on parking charge increase -</p> <p><a href="http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11131&amp;replies=7#post-125117" rel="nofollow">http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11131&amp;replies=7#post-125117</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11146#post-125105 Tue, 17 Sep 2013 11:23:55 +0000 gdm 125105@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>It is not as if one is asked for a formal written statement</em></p> <p>People need to be reassured that a quote does not have to be verbal and so long as the journalist knows you can be relied upon to produce something within their copy deadline you will have time to pull something together.</p> <p>If people are asked for a quote, they should just request the journo's email address and send something to them in writing. While they can still be selective about what they are sent, it gives you a better opportunity to manage what you're ultimately quoted on.</p> <p>Plus it might help avoid giving people like Ms Martin ammunition that we clearly don't need them to have... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11146#post-125101 Tue, 17 Sep 2013 10:29:36 +0000 Arellcat 125101@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>The reporter engages you in a long and rambling conversation then magically you are "quoted" using words that you can't actually recall using.</em></p> <p>You could write <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Running_Man_(film)#Plot">a whole film</a> around that.</p> <p>This cyclist cycled in Edinburgh before she knew of Spokes and concomitant piety, and any increase in her arrogance is purely in response to that of car drivers whose journeys are apparently always of greater importance. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11146#post-125097 Tue, 17 Sep 2013 10:10:02 +0000 Roibeard 125097@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Morningsider - I'm not sure you're going far enough.</p> <p>All these words are pretty meaningless without action, so I'd suggest some form of restitution.</p> <p>Have you considered throwing yourself, a la Walter Raleigh, into potholes so that the drivers can keep their white sidewalls clean?</p> <p>Robert </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11146#post-125096 Tue, 17 Sep 2013 10:09:10 +0000 crowriver 125096@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Well I wouldn't worry too much. Zero comments on her column so far. Looks like no-one at all is reading it, not even the usual petrolhead commenters...</p> <p>However stung 'we' may feel by the insults, they're only effective if someone other than the offended party has read them. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11146#post-125095 Tue, 17 Sep 2013 10:05:16 +0000 kaputnik 125095@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Gibbo however it was her own paper quite probably selectively quoting Spokes. I've been interviewed a couple of times by the Chipwrapper and it is very much as DdF reported it on another thread. The reporter engages you in a long and rambling conversation then magically you are "quoted" using words that you can't actually recall using. Just because they didn't print Spokes saying what you suggest they might have been wiser to say doesn't mean it wasn't actually said by the person they asked.</p> <p>Not that I'm mildly accusing the EEN of trying to quietly stoke a bit of controversy to shift a few more copies, no, not at all. Couldn't possibly. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11146#post-125091 Tue, 17 Sep 2013 09:52:20 +0000 gibbo 125091@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><blockquote><em>POLICE gave cyclists a telling off for cycling the wrong way down a one-way street and made them dismount. Campaign group Spokes was outraged, not even slightly accepting the need for rebukes. The pious arrogance of city cyclists has now gone too far.</em></blockquote></p> <p>I think she's right about the comments by Spokes.</p> <p>Their comments (reported on here in a different thread) were along the lines of, "What about all the drivers who break the rules?".</p> <p>A better response would have been to remind cyclists that the rules apply to us as well and to say they're glad the police are doing more to enforce the rules of the road, for the benefit of the safety/convenience of all road users. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11146#post-125089 Tue, 17 Sep 2013 09:45:24 +0000 Morningsider 125089@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have to admit that I preferred it when my pious arrogance hadn't gone too far. Unfortuntely, I had no idea how far it had gone and am pleased that a seasoned writer for the EEN has put me right. I have now reduced my piousness by 10% and arrogance by 12% - to what I believe to be acceptable levels.</p> <p>I will also make sure that I regularly apologise for cyclists that I don't know, doing things I wasn't aware of on streets I never travel along. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11146#post-125088 Tue, 17 Sep 2013 09:45:18 +0000 kaputnik 125088@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Edinburgh city centre is now only easily-accessible for cyclists and bus passengers so that is the custom it will attract</em></p> <p>Clearly another helpful person offering an opinion on cycling who's never actually tried to cycle in the city centre. Just because it's difficult to get round in a car != cycling utopia. It's just as difficult, somewhat faster, but certianly more dangerous to try it on a bike.</p> <p><em>Her existence is purely to sell advertising. People don't buy papers for the news anymore</em></p> <p>If the latest circulation figures for Johnstone Press are anything to go buy, they're just not buying "her" papers any more. Perhaps people aren't willing to part with quite so much money to buy such pointless, reactionary bile when they can get much more of it, much cheaper in other crappy papers (or online). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11146#post-125084 Tue, 17 Sep 2013 09:23:43 +0000 AKen 125084@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>If lack of parking is the big issue that hinders shops in the city centre then why did I count 10 empty units at the Gyle yesterday? </p>