CYCLING: 'There's something in the air'

http://www.ultimatepursuits.co.uk The Guardian's cycling correspondent MATT SEATON gave the keynote speech at 'Marketing and Promoting Cycling', a conference at the University of Bolton on 3rd April 2007. What are Seaton's views on Tory leader David Cameron and jumping red lights? FROM http://www.quickrelease.tv

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• cycling
• bike
• bicycling
• advocacy
• guardian
• cameron
• seaton

[09conrado]

It's got nothing to do with bad drivers. I'd be terrified to cycle with bad infrastructure. Make cycling safe for kids and look: all kinds of people will take to the road on a bike. Onto the separate cycle path, that is. Kids will go to school on a bike, moms and dads will go outing, shopping, whatever.

Look to Denmark, Holland etc...

[jeffsandychelsea]

@gloucesterharry It's only stressful and dangerous because of the bad drivers in their cars. Don't forget that. Also, walking is just more "boring" than biking because you are moving much slower. You really aren't the brightest crayon in the box.

[KrunchyJD]

I think though you have to tell people that 60% of pollution in cities is caused by cars and that pollution kills people. The bit about not being defensive is fair enough, but so too is saying how bad driving is for the environment, and health, smog etc

[gloucesterharry]

I personally don't 'get' cycling. As a mode of transport, it is not time efficient and is very stressful and dangerous. As a form of exercise, it is boring. As a mode of transportation, it is cheap - but then so is walking, own brand food and primark. The result is always the same, but by the end you wish you'd never bothered.

I much prefer to travel by car and go for my weekly hours run in the park with my ipod. The car may be expensive, but its money well spent (and cheaper than the bus)

[davidoffon]

Something in the air blew me

Something blew me out to see

Blew my cobwebs free

The spiders now suing me

[Bigtim7475]

Anyone who has read Matt's outstanding book - 'The Escape Artist'- will be aware of how much he loves cycling. This excellent speech should be taken on board by cyclists and non-cyclists alike. As cyclists we have a duty to other road users to obey the laws of the road otherwise we will only reinforce the view that some hold that cycling is for the slightly barmy and not to be considered as a mainstream form of transport.

[EdZep123]

I wish more people cycled to work. Apart from environmental/health/financial­ benefits, the more people that did the safer the roads would be. Still, I'm sure we cyclists can't deny we enjoy the exclusivity and knowledge that some of us can get to work quicker than someone in a car. :)

[caeteez]

My name is Matt Seaton :D. Not related at all though.

[AllAreDifferent]

I think your caveat misses the point of the speech. If we're trying to remove cycling from the margins of society and making it more "normal", then jumping red lights doesn't show us as cyclists in the right way. Instead we'll remain minorities who think that the rules of the highway are different for two wheels compared to four. It's not about speed. Should we also agree that motorists who perceive that it's safe to exceed the speed limit are also doing the right thing?

[Syd1940]

As a Guardian reader I'm already a Seaton fan and agree with all his points. Before retirement I was a 6k miles/year commuter and particularly support the 'red light' obedience comments. Still getting the miles in - just not as many as before. Still enjoying the Peak District climbs - sort of ;)