Cyclophobia. Part 1: Accountability.

Cyclophobia

Noun: The irrational fear of bicycles.

This was going to be the original name for this blog. I've been thinking about it for a long time. What is it that makes people fear other people on bicycles? Particularly those with a modicum of 'authority'?

Part 1: Accountability

Cyclophoia takes many forms but today I want to focus on what is perhaps the most insidious of manifestations: the perceived lack of accountability.

Throughout human history, various groups have been perceived to be 'getting away with it' (whatever 'it' is). Authoritative figures demonize this group in order to curry favour with their supporters. The language may vary, but it usually goes along these lines:

We must be able to punish this group for the harm they wreak on society. We will hold them collectively responsible for the actions of any individual wrong-doers in the group. 

We can't hold them accountable, unless we can identify them. So we must make them all wear an identifier that shows they belong to this group, just in case they might do something wrong. They must wear their registration whenever they travel. 

Just in case.

Is the (fear of) harm people on bicycles might unleash worthy of mass registration? Of course it's not. That would be silly. Really, really silly.  Sigh.

So how does someone such as Nikki Sinclaire (MEP) arrive at such a conclusion? How can a seemingly intelligent person not understand why there might be a vitriolic backlash to such a proposal? You're not in a debate, Nikki. You're on the wrong side of history.

Please Nikki, please provide the evidence of the scale of damage caused to society that would justify such a draconian registration of an entire group of people who simply want to travel. In addition, please provide any evidence that enabling a person to ride a bicycle safely is detrimental to society?

You ask 'what price safety' (yes, that old chestnut), so please provide evidence of how registration would enhance the safety of anyone? It certainly would not enhance the safety of people on bicycles or of people on foot who are killed or seriously injured in their thousands each and every year by people in motor vehicle who are not held accountable by the justice system despite be 'registered'.

You ask why cyclists are so 'afraid of accountability'. What a bizarre statement. People who are 'afraid of accountability' are 'afraid of accountability' whether they are on a bicycle, run a bank or stand for parliament. Wearing an item of clothing doesn't suddenly make you unafraid of accountability. In the unfortunate event of a crash on the road, the person on the bicycle is more than likely going to end up dead or badly injured in the gutter. How's that for accountability?

Of course, a person intent on doing wrong would be sure to wear their registration clothing, wouldn't they? Wouldn't they?

If they don't dress like me, they're
not responsible citizens.

Just as politicians of the past used pictures of themselves holding babies, trying to persuade the voters they were a good upstanding person who could be trusted, there's the obligatory photograph that screams "Look at me! I'm a cyclist! I'm qualified!".

No, Nikki, you're not qualified. You've published a picture of yourself dressed as you think cyclists should be. Wearing high-vis, helmet and constrained in the gutter, out of the way of people deemed 'more important'. This gross caricature is exactly how the media and politicians would like the public to see cyclists because it fits the false stereotype of people on bicycles being an 'out-group'.

If you want to see how people travelling on bicycle should look, just watch this. No high-vis, no helmets. No riding in the gutter. No victim blaming. Just courageous politicians doing what is right for the people of their country by providing a safe environment for people.

UK politicians of all parties have failed to provide safe, efficient infrastructure that is desperately needed by the people of this country. Where is the accountability for this failure? We are a nation that is being faced with environmental and lifestyle induced health issues that will paralyse our Health Service. We need people to travel in a more sustainable way. You are not helping the people of this country.

Remember, these are people on bicycles. Lightweight, human powered machines. Like prams. or roller skates. Or scooters.

We might as well suggest all people wearing sunglasses need to be registered. Just in case.