Why Are Cyclists So Hated...

blah hipster blah...

Cyclists aren't hated - i think its the fact that some so called cycling campaigners get the fact they are supposed to be encouraging cycling confused with being an eco warrior does more damage than good, and makes it seem like a them versus us argument, when in fact it should be a how can we accommodate each other discussion.

Everyone who harps on about emissions etc etc fails to realise that in 20 years we will all be driving around in zero emission vehicles, but that there will still be cars on the roads, and we will still face the same dangers.

We need to remove the green element form the discussion, because what we really want to be able to do is cycle around safely, and that has nothing to do with hating cars, eating Linda McCartney, and wearing hemp. Being green is a nice side effect of cycling, but its not the reason most people do it

Its when a cycling campaigner gets on tv/radio etc and spends all teh time talking about green issues that people turn off and think what a sanctimonious wanker - if they just stuck to the issues at hand we would all come off a lot better.

The bit about 'zero-emmision vehicle' is rubbish, sorry. Where does this come from? Even cyclists are responsible for emmisions indirectly - farting, eating, etc. Perhaps zero-emmission flying cars controlled by computers are on the horizon too? ;)

I would agree that the green bit does seem divisive, and marks 'campaigners' out as sanctimonious. I personally don't think that other people's distaste for that line of argument is particularly valid, other than they don't like to hear it because seemingly it turns them into a guilty party. However I would agree that it shouldn't be the primary argument used to promote cycling.

Rather, we might focus on health, congestion, enjoyment.