Is cycle sport encouraging uptake of cycling?

In the last CTC mag, in their regular For v Against column, two writers argued this point. The writer for had some pretty predictable points that news-worthy successes in cycling helped the lot of the average cyclist, since non-cyclists were more aware, appreciative or respectful of the needs of cyclists. The writer against made the point that sport-focussed awareness of cycling meant that utility, transport and general wellbeing ascpects of cycling could be sidelined, since sport might be seen as the only proper place for cycling, the world of lycra, helmets, competitiveness and fitness being the only image being projected positively into the mainstream. Could this sporty, physically demanding, structured kind of cycling might be said to discourage uptake of cycling for transport or utility, since it projects the idea that there is a 'proper' kind of cyclist, and a 'weirdo' kind of cycling?

It intrigued me. I have little interest in competitive cycling. I haven't really heard this discussion before. Did anyone else read it? What are your thoughts? Is competitive cycling good for the work of those who are trying to encourage a perception shift in transport terms? Does it matter?

Well, Ive seen speed walking on the olympics, and that put me off walking to the shops. Its all a bit too elitist if you ask me, expensive daps and sweat bands, etc.

heheh. Good start. You TTer's are well sporty though?

I have noticed an increase of nice bikes strapped on the roof / boot of cars.

That'll be them TTers.

I havent done a TT for 20 years!

Cycling is just a nice thing to do, whether you're pootling to work or hurtling down a mountain. It's all good.

I havent done a TT for 20 years!

It's a bummer how names stick ;o)

The promotion of cycling as a sport, requiring special bikes, shoes, freakishly ugly clothes and foam hats, and a high level of fitness must surely put people right off. In countries such as Holland and Denmark, where cycling is just practical transport, riding a bike is an almost universal way of life. In countries such as Britain, USA, where it is primarily a sport, we cyclists are a freakish minority, regarded as lower forms of life by some sectors of society.

Right now we have our own 'weirdo' kind of cycling and that's not roadie in full Cervelo lycra speeding on their £1000+ road bike, but the commuter who think they need helmet, glove, day-glo vest, windstopper, pannier, maybe clipless shoes etc.

Those 'weirdo' cyclists are more likely to put people off cycling than the roadie weirdo.

It doesn't help that almost every time one sees hoy or pendleton in an ad, or tv in general, they are clad in high-end lycra on a high-end machine. I think the message 'get cycling' is often lost amidst such glamour.

Surely that's akin to saying "Every time I see Lewis Hamilton in an ad he's in some high-end Mercedes, that puts me right off driving".

It gives kids something to aspire to, it gets them interested. I don't see the problem with it.

It doesn't help that almost every time one sees hoy or pendleton in an ad, or tv in general, they are clad in high-end lycra on a high-end machine. I think the message 'get cycling' is often lost amidst such glamour.

You were saying.

Chris Hoy has put me off my Bran Flakes

i have seen that one too...

and she's pushing.

A little from column A and a little from Column B.

It all really boils down to how the cycling is presented. If you watch the city centre races on telly then it could be seen as discouraging because there no appeal to regular cycling built in to the broadcasting. However, the TdF broadcasting makes that effort to mention how the parts of the countries that are being passed through are really good for regular cycling and the whole set up around city centre races usually includes additional activities to encourage people on to their bikes.

The thing is, it shouldn't really be associated and it's a little silly for CTC to get into that argument. It's like suggesting that people would be put off driving because they can't drive F1 type cars around with the skill of racing drivers. The failure to encourage recreational cycling really isn't the responsibility or fault of pro/athletic/sporting cyclists.

Cycling is just a nice thing to do, whether you're pootling to work or hurtling down a mountain. It's all good.

A nice whole-school approach Mike.

The promotion of cycling as a sport, requiring special bikes, shoes, freakishly ugly clothes and foam hats, and a high level of fitness must surely put people right off. In countries such as Holland and Denmark, where cycling is just practical transport, riding a bike is an almost universal way of life. In countries such as Britain, USA, where it is primarily a sport, we cyclists are a freakish minority, regarded as lower forms of life by some sectors of society.

You get the 'against' point well.

Right now we have our own 'weirdo' kind of cycling and that's not roadie in full Cervelo lycra speeding on their £1000+ road bike, but the commuter who think they need helmet, glove, day-glo vest, windstopper, pannier, maybe clipless shoes etc.

Those 'weirdo' cyclists are more likely to put people off cycling than the roadie weirdo.

Interesting observation ... though you've muddled what I was saying a bit, I was using 'cycle weirdo' to mean what the general public might perceive people travelling without a car or motorcycle, not the roadie brigade. I was saying that sporty cycling makes it seem 'proper' and other kinds aren't. Apparently there was an inquest recently into the death of a cyclist where the driver had asserted that because the woman cyclist wasn't wearing a helmet, lycra, whatever, cycling fast and asssertively, that she was in some way not a 'proper' cyclist, which somehow absolved some of his reponsibilty for her death.

The failure to encourage recreational cycling really isn't the responsibility or fault of pro/athletic/sporting cyclists.

This is what the OP is about. I agree.

The issue isn't helped in this country by having separate organisations claiming responsibility for representing cycling.

@TSK But could it have a negative impression on people's willingness to use cycles in ways other than for sport?

Apparently there was an inquest recently into the death of a cyclist where the driver had asserted that because the woman cyclist wasn't wearing a helmet, lycra, whatever, cycling fast and asssertively, that she was in some way not a 'proper' cyclist, which somehow absolved some of his reponsibilty for her death.
Apologies for being a pedant but can you provide citation for this please?

No, I can't. But I read it in CTC mag last issue. I doubt they would have made it up.

Glad you're not all being twats by the way! I was half expecting to get shot down for this, Radar is that way >>>>>>> etc etc. I found it quite a stimulating subject, but maybe what TSK and andyp said are quite salient, that the two don't need to be discussed in the same breath ...

My bro' got cycling this year, he'd moved to Norwich from abroad and I fixed (well, SS'ed) him up with my first bike, and he loved it. He said he was chatting to dutch guy riding there, who'd observed that here in England almost everyone is trying to cycling realy really fast, race each other and all that, and that we were missing the point, somehow.

@TSK But could it have a negative impression on people's willingness to use cycles in ways other than for sport?

Yes, but that's more of a failure on behalf of non-sporting cyclists and their organisations to get their message out in an appealing manner. Take a look at the crowds on the TdF, sporty cyclists in full lycra stand in the crowd shoulder to shoulder with kids on BMXs and old dears on Pashley's and just about any other type of cyclist. None of them seem put off. If anything they seem glad of an opportunity to ride out and watch a spectacular sporting event.