Your say / cycling
‘Let’s try to calm the waters and build a bridge between cyclists and me’
I recently wrote an opinion piece on cyclists, and wow! Were those waters troubled!
I was incensed at the time, as you probably gathered, having been alarmed by a cyclist coming up behind me, but I realise I was unfair to some cyclists, so let me try and calm the waters and build a bridge between cyclists and me.
I hereby offer a full apology to all cyclists who stop at red lights, try to make old people and others aware they are on the same piece of pavement, behave with kindness to pedestrians, and generally obey the law. There.
is needed now More than ever
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Read more: ‘It took all my strength not to knock the cyclist off’
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I am a bit alarmed that people actually thought I was advocating murdering cyclists – no, nobody is that stupid, are they?
But apparently in today’s world there might be some people who are that stupid, so let me say now:
I DO NOT ADVOCATE MURDERING OR USING VIOLENCE IN ANY WAY AGAINST CYCLISTS! I do not advocate violence against anyone in any shape or form.
I hope that’s cleared that up.
I can’t help thinking that much of the sound and fury elicited by furious cyclists in their response to my piece was due to my suggestion that all bikes should be registered, have bells and bike owners should have insurance like other road users.
I still think it, and make no apology for that. In a free world, I do have the right to my opinion; however much you don’t like it.
An English woman called Evelyn Hall said of Voltaire, his opinions could be summed up as: “I don’t like what you say but I defend to the death your right to say it.”
On balance, I’m with Evelyn. But I do agree that I was wrong to lump all cyclists together. And I’m sorry for any distress caused.
Judith Brown is chair of Bristol Older People’s Forum
Read more: From the Editor: ‘Four wheels good, two wheels better’
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