Seveonaks councillor Larry Abraham the target of outrage from UK cyclists
ANGRY cyclists from across the country have rounded on a pair of "idiot" Sevenoaks District councillors they say need "educating".
Last week we covered a debate where Larry Abraham, and to a lesser extent Alison Cook, questioned whether cyclists should be on our roads and whether they should pay for the privilege. Mr Abraham said bikes are "more dangerous than any car I've ever seen".
The article has sparked nationwide responses. Some of the cleaner words posted on internet discussion forums describe the pair as "ignorant", "malicious", "ill-informed", "prejudiced" and "stupid".
Carlton Reid, editor of cycling website IPayRoadTax.com, wrote: "Those two local councillors could start by paying a visit to their closest A&E and ask how many locals have been killed by drivers in recent years, and how many by cyclists."
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John Bott, from Gloucestershire, wrote on http://road.cc: "Reading such drivel as bicycles being more dangerous than cars makes me both angry and sad.
"As things stand at the moment it appears if you want to kill somebody all you need to do is run them down in a car while they are riding a bicycle. The going rate of punishment seems to be a two-year driving ban and some community service."
A contributor called cjc119 added: "If Mr Abraham had taken up cycling at a younger age he wouldn't be the ill-informed, fat bag of wind he is today."
Mr Andrew posted: "The poor sod is probably just poorly educated and badly informed."
'Emla' described Mr Abraham as "another ill-informed nobody with way too much power at their fingertips".
And 'LondonCalling' said: "I love cycling in Kent. Beautiful place. These idiot councillors don't deserve it."
Mr Abraham and Mrs Cook's comments came at a meeting of Sevenoaks District Council's environment select committee on August 31. Mr Abraham voted against expanding cycling provision in the area, while Mrs Cook is concerned some cyclists are not riding safely.
Both suggested charging a form of cyclists' road tax.
We contacted both to expand on their comments this week but Mr Abraham refused to talk further.
He has told others he was simply expressing his "personal opinion" at the meeting.
Mrs Cook said: "I'm certainly not anti-cycling, and I agree with a lot of what the Sevenoaks Cycling Forum told us. But a friend of mine was knocked down walking along a shared walking and cycling path and she was hurt quite badly."
For more, see letters page 21.
Comments
by DJC, hades armpit
Wednesday, September 22 2010, 8:48PM
“Thats the trouble, G, I dont think cyclists moan about drivers a much as noncyclists think we do. We tend to moan about the bad drivers, just as noncyclists do (remember most cyclists also drive) but its odd - when you look online the web is choc full of comments and views that cyclists are somehow a problem.
Each mode of transport has its benefits. I couldnt imagine driving to work after all these years cycling. It would be a bit of a waste of money and I hate being stuck in traffic.I can safely filter and beat most drivers accross town without breaking a sweat.
I think people like Abraham are acting this way because they are scared. They know the fuel is going to carry on going up - theres less of it, and less of an impetus to drill after the BP shame. They also know that its a bit cheaky that you sit in a car, when sometimes you can walk the short distance, car share or ride a bike. The last government found that the majority of car journeys were for less than 1 mile.
Obviously if you've got to lug around a load of engineering equipment a bike wont cut it, but there are people quite frankly taking the mickey and clogging the roads for everyone else..
I also think Abraham and co are frightened because there is a realisation that the mass of a car can cause a lot of damage, even to another driver in another car. They know that,deep down, people are rarely injured by cyclists. The DfT accident figures show that the motorvehicle has been involved in the majority of road injuries... even pavement ones shockingly (40 people dead a year by drivers on pavements).
I think the point we should be taking away from this is how beneficial cycling could be to everyone, not just cyclists. Mr Abraham's worries represent that we are obviously in a changing world.”
by Xasperated, Sevenoaks
Monday, September 20 2010, 10:47AM
“I agree with "G.Sussex"; twenty percent of motorists and cyclists (including some cycling clubs) are irresponsible nutcases. The other decent eighty percent need good roads and cycling facilities. Do not globalise this issue by putting all cyclists in the same bracket. A lot of us who drive cars and ride a bicycle have equal respect for both modes of transportation and obey the Highway Code as far as possible. Like so many things that have gone wrong in this wonderful country, the irresponsible minority are dictating how the law-abiding majority should live. Bye the way, I hope you are not trying to peddle a kitchen worktop.”
by G, Sussex
Sunday, September 19 2010, 7:12AM
“In my experience cyclists are just as bad and most seem to have a bad attitude against other road users.
Riding the wrong way up one way streets,riding on pavements,riding 3 or more abreast along a busy road are all things I have witnessed personally.
Perhaps cyclists should start obeying the laws of the road themselves before continually harping on about car drivers.
I have got a delivery to make involving a 30 mile journey so shall I take my van or shall I see if I can fit a kitchen worktop on a bike!!!”
by X-asperated, Sevenoaks
Thursday, September 16 2010, 9:16PM
“I have paid my car road tax for the past 42 years and I feel that I have gained the right to cycle on the local Sevenoaks roads if I wish. Eighty percent of drivers I find very considerate whereas the other twenty percent are stark raving nutcases and should be put into a mental asylum. Having resided in Sevenoaks for the past 35 years I have always found the roads around North Sevenoaks and surrounding countryside in a very poor condition ( before last winter) and need relaying rather than repairing. If we are not injured or killed by mad motorists then there is always the likelihood of hitting a sunken drain, manhole, pothole or a reverse camber in the wet weather. Cycling is a lot healthier than sitting in a car. Come on Sevenoaks, be the first to provide decent cycle ways and/or roads and get more people out of their cars.”