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All of us must share the frustration that virtually all criticism of cyclists; note, I say 'cyclists', not 'cycling', lacks proportionality. George Bernard Shaw once said something to the effect that the press reports a cyclist failing to ring a bell as a portent of the end of the world..
In other words the weight of criticism directed against us daily does not reflect the nature of the act being complained about. To many, usually the older generation if on foot, or all generations if they happen to be peering through a windscreens the mere sight of someone cycling triggers emotions of repulsion/disgust/anger/frustration et al. My suspicion is that the key condition is the latter - 'frustration' - for a whole range of social reasons, but essentially emanating from the psyche of the observer - not from the action of the the pedaller. In psychology terms it's called 'transference'
If this be so, as cycle campaigners we are faced by a human condition we are not able to negotiate with directly - mainly because it has never been recognised and debated by society, although from one direction or another we all experience it as cyclists, pedestrians, or drivers.
I would therefore like to see research into the psychology of travel frustration/road rage, not least of all its effects on the relationship between cyclists and others, (particularly as cycling is the most vulnerable travel mode, and so much depends on it playing a much larger role in our journeys). Until we know far more about the subject we must expect no mercy from the press and politicians who will continue to mince their fine words whilst cycling continues to be treated as a blott on the landscape by the perceptually unbalanced - and that means much of our population. Many cyclists are not immune from the condition...............although we might like to think so.
Regards
Roy
CTC RTR Denbighshire/Conwy
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