I commend your latest effort (DT Motoring section 2nd April) to raise and widen the debate on motoring and its impact both local and global.  Hopefully, amongst other things this will help stimulate discussion  of the effects on the human mind of mobility based on movement in capsules, isolated apart from that which is seen through the glass of a windscreen.  Inevitably this carries with it a perceptual detachment from that which is not experienced directly through the senses.

 

Clearly the whole subject of traffic mobility has many complex aspects, but I give you just one based on my own experience.  You may care to bear in mind as debate continues. 

 

The cyclist on the road is a sensitive barometer of the motoring psyche. See a drop in numbers and we should realise that all is not well with our society.   See a rise and everyone is the beneficiary in  more ways than can be described here.  Unfortunately, despite its exceedingly low impact on traffic, cycling is often used as a scapegoat for ills for which it has little or no responsibility, but for diverse reasons provides a useful receptacle for guilt shifting. 

 

Jet Oil recently conducted a survey which not surprisingly found there was support for training child cyclists. 

 

A letter from me was published in the Western Mail (Wales) on the 8th March which I paste below. It provides worrying evidence of an aspect of the 'motoring psyche'  to which the 'cycling barometer' is increasingly having to be on the guard against.  I am sure every cyclist in the country would be grateful if you could find space in your column at some point to refer to this.

 

All success to your efforts, John

 

Roy

 

 Western Mail  8th March (http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/letters/thewesternmail/tm_objectid=15269024&method=full&siteid=50082&headline=tuesday--8-march-name_page.html

Cycling dangers
SIR - I refer to your article "Young cyclists let down by poor training" (February 21). A recent survey of 1,350 parents by the oil company Jet found that most believe their children should take a cycling test before being allowed on the road. It is too easy to produce a simplistic response to an issue that has much wider connotations. For instance a question could also had been asked as to how many thought the training of motorists took sufficient account of the needs of cyclists and other vulnerable road users.

There are increasing reports of skilled and experienced cyclists encountering incidents that are worrying to put it mildly. In a recent BBC broadcast members of the Great Britain cycle racing team, including Olympic silver medal winner Paul Manning, described the extraordinary hostility they regularly encounter from drivers. Some go so far as to use their vehicle as an offensive weapon.

Denise Hampson of Conwy, a 25-year-old world level racing cyclist and sportswoman of the year, complained publicly of items being thrown from passing cars, and being passed dangerously close by motorists seeking to "punish her" for riding on the road.

Even those with disability are not excluded from such abuse. Paraplegic former Pilot Officer Dr David Abrutut during an epic ride of 3,369 miles in 76 days around the UK coastline to publicise the need for blood donors, experienced similar behaviour while riding a hand-propelled recumbent bicycle. In one incident he was spat at. Occurrences such as these are being reported with increasing frequency.

How then do you prepare children for such conduct ?

Let us not forget that youth carries with it a spontaneity and sense of adventure that does not always take full account of risks involved. A recent House of Commons Health Select Committee Report on Obesity acknowledged that children in particular should have a safe outdoor environment as of right (sic).

The national cycling organisation CTC places great emphasis on the value of cycle training, and is actively working towards this end. But whatever the value of the Jet survey, it serves to deflect attention from where the responsibility for the safety of all road users, and not just children on bikes, mainly lies. With a motor culture which places greater emphasis on the human ego, than a caring for the wellbeing of our fellow man.

ROY SPILSBURY

Vice Chair, CTC Cymru - Welsh Region of CTC, the national cycling organisation, Fernbrook Road, Penmaenmawr