Magda Szubanski encourages violence against cyclists
Australia: The only country on Earth where you can advocate the murder of cyclists on national television and be cheered on.
Just earlier this month Kyle Sandilands was again suspended from his radio show after commenting on Magda Szubanski’s weight. Kyle stated “she would only be skinny if she was put in a concentration camp.”
The comment sparked a furore here in Australia and in response Magda, of Polish heritage, labelled Kyle’s remarks as “abhorrent”.
Presumably Magda feels that making light of human beings dying at the hands of other human beings isn’t something to be joked about.
Or so you’d think.
Last nights episode of Good News Week on channel 10 started off innocently enough with Julia Morris.
As someone who uses a bicycle to get around frequently I'm appalled that this made it to air.
I can take a lycra joke as much as the next person and agree that the 'human condom' look is ridiculous. To suggest people run over cyclists and door them over it though... seriously?
And yes, that first clip was Julia Morris rallying against road bullies just moments before suggesting people run over cyclists. Hypocrisy much?
As for the rest of Szubanski's rants:
Beach road isn't a four lane highway, it's a tourist scenic drive that showcases Port Phillip Bay. It has a signposted maximum speed of 60km/h and the outer lanes are used for car parking.
Australia has had to put up with Szubanski's monstrous 110kg frame (photo right) for decades.
If the general public can stomach staring at Queen of the cupcakes and not throw up, surely it's not too much to ask for Magda to cop a bit of cheek action while she waits to overtake?
Beach Road is frequented by groups of cyclists on the weekends on training rides. If you live near it it's also a pleasant commuting route towards the city as it runs towards the Docklands.
The bicycle path next to it is a shared path for pedestrians and cyclists.
Szubanski appears to be seriously suggesting groups of up to 40 cyclists training at speeds of 30-45km/h should hit the bicycle path and mow over recreational riders using it.
Right, because that won't put anyone in danger.
I don't know about you Magda, but I'd rather listen to the 'tip-tap' sound of cleats clicking along the floor then smelling a cyclists foot.
Remember what flab rolls used to smell like? Yeah - now imagine something worse, smelly feet.
I'll pay this as it irritates me too, but I'm certainly not going to go run someone down over it anytime soon.
In addition to that Szubanski is also an ambassador for Enviroweek. It seems that when doing your bit for the environment, planting trees is acceptable but don't you dare get on a bicycle.
It's disappointing that someone who seems to be involved in environmental programs and advocating a healthy lifestyle lash out at cyclists. More worrying is the fact that comments like 'take them out', 'open the door, open the door, take that' were encouraged by an audience with applause and cheers.
Sure they might sometimes be annoying but every cyclist on a bike is a person. You wouldn't advocate running pedestrians so why is it acceptable to encourage people to kill cyclists?
Update 01/10/09: Magda has offered up an apology and offered to participate in Ride to Work Day 2009.
September 29th, 2009 at 11:10 pm Rob(Quote)
Thanks for writing this up and putting it on youtube, I can’t believe mainstream media hasn’t batted an eye lid at it – I certainly wont be having anything to do with enviroweek if they keep Magda as an ambassador.
September 29th, 2009 at 11:14 pm ozsoapbox(Quote)
Magda Szubanski is the current golden child of the media after weight watchers and the Kyle Sandilands comment. I’m not at all surprised they haven’t touched it.
I can see the news.com.au article now, flooded with ‘yeh man run them allz over!’ ‘OMG CYCLISTS NEED TO DIE!’ ‘last week I was trying to find the latest missy higgins song on my iPhone while I was crossing the road and then this cyclist nearly hit me WTF?’ etc.
September 30th, 2009 at 8:02 am Smithee(Quote)
I didn’t have a problem with Sandilands’ comment about getting thin in a concentration camp. Isn’t that a common thing to say about fat people and diets ? I know I’ve said it before – and it’s true enough !
Likewise, Magda’s suggestion about bike riders – don’t a lot of drivers joke about taking people out ? 100 points for a nun and all that ?
It’s true that the treatment of Sandilands and Magda has not been in proportion, but ee really need to lighten up otherwise they’ll be nothing left to have a joke about.
September 30th, 2009 at 8:23 am Derek Waterman(Quote)
For those of you on Facebook please join this group:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=163306051741&ref=nf
September 30th, 2009 at 8:53 am Vince(Quote)
Maybe she had an accident on an exercise bike and now fears bikes…
September 30th, 2009 at 8:54 am Captain Dan(Quote)
You can hardly expect Magda to empathise with a cyclist – how long has it been since she has ridden a bicycle? Another reason for me to have no time for her.
September 30th, 2009 at 9:38 am ozsoapbox(Quote)
Everything up until ‘just take them out, open the door, open the door!’ could be taken as a joke, albeit a tired one. If they stopped short of inciting violence I doubt anyone would have cared.
Using the nun analogy, Magda and Julia’s comments are more like after suggesting 100 points for a nun that you get out of the car, kick the nun in the face, beat her till she’s dead with a clublock, set the corpse on fire and urinate over the charred remains before getting back in your car and driving off.
I don’t find either amusing.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:51 am Captain Dan(Quote)
Also notice Ed Kavalee’s reaction in the background – he looks bored/embarrassed by the whole tirade.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:09 am DaveW(Quote)
Is it OK to start telling Polish and Jew jokes again? What about Fatty jokes, are they back on the agenda? Is it funny now to advocate acts of violence against fat Polish Jews? I’m just checking because if Magda’s vile tirade was only a joke then it really has opened the door on a new era of comedy, one that Magda may not think is as funny as her set on GNW against cyclists.
Imagine if Sandilands had’ve told his listeners to open the car door on passing female fat Polish Jew pedestrians. Funny? err… no. In fact in Madga’s own words “abhorrent”
September 30th, 2009 at 12:12 pm alex(Quote)
Magda – take your own advice, lassie:
“Haud yer wisht!”
September 30th, 2009 at 12:24 pm Chris(Quote)
Why is it, cyclists (and I’m talking the lycra-wearing hardcore variety) have to ride 2 or 3 wide on a road and take up a car lane instead of riding single file in the bike lane?
That’s a complete lack of respect for the road rules, motorists trying to obey the road rules, and cyclists who do the right thing (if they exist).
It’s like these cyclists are asking to be mowed down!
September 30th, 2009 at 12:29 pm Steve(Quote)
Chris,
Try reading the road rules you are quoting. Its not illegal to ride two abreast nor even four abreast if two bunches are passing one another on a two lane road.
Suggest you read the so called ‘road rules’ before you drive home tonight.
September 30th, 2009 at 12:32 pm ozsoapbox(Quote)
2 wide is legal and is usually done on roads without bicycle lanes for safety to take over a lane. This is so that those incapable of judging distances don’t push cyclists into the gutter.
Also on some of the larger rides if they were all single file we’d have mopheads complaining about waiting forever to turn left or right from the opposite side of the road.
Even if 100 cyclists took 1 second to cross the intersection that’s almost 2 minutes of sitting there waiting and holding up traffic while you wait to turn.
3 wide I don’t support (and is illegal) however this isn’t a license to run people over. You wouldn’t hit the accelerator on a jaywalker so why is it ok to mow down cyclists?
As for road rules, it’s unfortunate that ‘guys on bikes’ and some of the lycra brigade do flaunt the rules but that’s no reason to tar everybody with the same brush. By ratio far more road rules are broken by motorists every day.
Idiots are idiots, whether they ride a bike, drive a car or walk around with ipods at 300% volume.
September 30th, 2009 at 12:47 pm Chris(Quote)
I said “Why is it, cyclists (and I’m talking the lycra-wearing hardcore variety) have to ride 2 or 3 wide on a road and take up a car lane instead of riding single file in the bike lane?”
How about YOU try reading the road rules:
I see cyclists all the time on roads with bike lanes riding 2, 3 and 4 abreast in the car lane.
September 30th, 2009 at 1:02 pm David(Quote)
Chris, as others have said, its legal to ride 2 abreast (eg- 2 up) and in fact it is legal to have a 3 lane of riders passing the first 2 up riders (making 3 riders wide in the lane). And to add to this, it is also legal to have the SAME rider configuration in the next lane (making 6 riders wide).
See, this is where many drivers get it oh so wrong. The roads are not there for CARS, they are there for transportation, be that a car, a truck, a bus, a motorcycle or a bicycle (im not sure about skateboards, etc).
A cyclist is entitled (by law) to claim an entire lane if he wishes to ensure their safety. But most cyclists try to be courteous and allow other road users to pass easily without disruption. However mostly this just invites uncaring drivers to squeeze past a cyclist, clipping their elbows and seriously endangering our lives (I have the bruises to prove it). So we ride a bit wider, just to make sure that stupid careless drives don’t kill us. Sounds pretty fair to me.
Just remember, a cyclist may hold you up for 10 seconds, but all you will do is be 10 seconds slower to the next traffic jam. Its cars that cause traffic jams, not bicycles.
September 30th, 2009 at 1:05 pm Chris(Quote)
That is somewhat fair enough on roads without bike lanes. But still, motorists will give cyclists plenty of room if they are riding single file in the gutter. Its easier for motorists to put the right wheels over into the next lane between other traffic instead of having to change lanes completely and back again, all for the sake of a couple cyclists who are doing 10-20 km/hr.
And I have seen cyclists more than 2 abreast plenty of times.
Yeah, God Forbid that cyclists actually stop, be courteous and give way to motorists.
Where did I imply that I would mow down cyclists? Just because the cyclists are asking for it, doesn’t mean I will bow to their wishes and plough them with my bullbar then stop, stick it in reverse and finish the job.
You’re right, not all cyclists do the wrong thing. Why is it the minority who do the right thing stick up for their dickhead brethren?
We’re not talking about motorists, thats a whole different story which I will be happy to provide my 2c on. Same typical argument from cyclists “wah wah cars break road rules wah wah we have just as much right to be on the road environmentally friendly wah wah my bum is chafing”
The problem is, motorists are FAR more accountable for their actions on the road. Cyclists aren’t registered or numbered, don’t have any form of third party insurance (too bad if they cause an accident) don’t get pinged by red light cameras, etc etc etc.
Agreed
September 30th, 2009 at 1:11 pm David(Quote)
Chris- try reading the rule again-
247 Riding in a bicycle lane on a road
(1) The rider of a bicycle riding on a length of road with a
bicycle lane designed for bicycles travelling in the same
direction as the rider must ride in the bicycle lane unless it is impracticable to do so.
“UNLESS IT IS IMPRACTICABLE TO DO SO.”
This means.. there is glass and holes in the bike lane (a common problem); it means there is too many riders to fit in the bike lane; it means that there are parked cars in the lane constantly forcing riders to swerve in and out of the lane (dangerous to do), and a million other reasons. A cyclist has a different view on safety that a drives doesn’t understand. We have to make different calls for our safety than a driver does. So just share the road buddy. Just because you are in a car doesn’t mean you own it (and neither does a cyclist). Share and chill out. That 10 seconds won’t make or break your life.
Anyway, generally there IS a lane of riders in the bike lane, but there is too many to sensible stick in the lane so it fills the rest of the lane. Remember, there usually a clear lane next to them to pass. Or are you SOOOOO important that you want the WHOLE road to yourself over 60 riders?
September 30th, 2009 at 1:11 pm Spock(Quote)
Chris – get an education in road regulations. Cyclists have the right to ride two abreast. They have the right to take a whole lane. How the hell did you get a license? Go look it up!
And if you believe you have the right to mow down someone who you ignorantly assume is breaking the law, then you are a dangerous psychopath. Even if someone is breaking the road rules, you have no right to threaten or harm them.
There are idiots using all forms of transport. But your idiots (motorists) kill people when they make a mistake. Idiots on bikes just kill themselves. Your idiots are the real problem. Don’t pretend that you don’t see motorists dangerously breaking the law all the time.
It’s odd. People who don’t regularly ride bikes on the road (guess what Chris, there ain’t bike paths everywhere) seem to think they have an opinion that means something. 99% of cyclists _also_ drive. Until you regularly commute on the _road_ in traffic, your opinion of what cyclists should do is close to irrelevant. Get some critical thinking skills, otherwise you look like an idiot.
September 30th, 2009 at 1:15 pm Chris(Quote)
David.
I am making an argument here about cyclists who are doing the WRONG thing and you are defending their practices.
September 30th, 2009 at 1:17 pm ozsoapbox(Quote)
From experience, no, no they won’t. 100 motorists might but then there’s that one driver who has no idea how wide their car is, or just doesn’t care.
Uh really..? So what, you’re driving along in the left lane and stopping for all cars wanting to turn left from the middle lanes and giving way to all cars turning right from the opposite side of the road?
I drive and this doesn’t happen.
You’re not supposed to to turn left unless it is safe to do so, if there’s a bicycle there then it’s not safe to do so.
Nobody’s saying that breaking rules on a bicycle is ok, just that it’s not something anyone should be maliciously killed over.
Really?
Ever tried to get a license plate as you sail through the air before crashing into the road?
Ever tried to grab a license plate as you’re cut off and trying to rebalance whilst the car speeds off?
Ever walked into a police station and tried to report an incident?
Unless you have signed statutory declarations from everyone living within a 100km radius of where it occured supporting your claims, all you get is ‘Yeah I’ll just type that up on my invisible typewriter’.
September 30th, 2009 at 1:18 pm David(Quote)
Cris said- “Just because the cyclists are asking for it…”
Asking for it? What- for riding on the road LEGALLY?
Come for a ride with me one day mate. I bet you everything I own that you see things differently after 4 hours on the bike. Its easy to sit in your metal box and pass judgement without any understanding isn’t it. Just remember, 99% of cyclists are ALSO drivers.
JUST SHARE THE F’ING ROAD!
What are you… 3yo?
Oh and BTW- The VAST majority of riders I ride will are sticklers for following the road rules. We call safety messages to the rest of the bunch and make pains to keep things safe in the bunch. After all- we have spouses and kids to go home to just like you do. BTW- I am a competitive cyclists (eg- hardcore lycra wearing sort).
September 30th, 2009 at 1:20 pm David(Quote)
Where am I defending the wrong doers practises?
Read this again.. v-e-r-y slowly…
“UNLESS IT IS IMPRACTICABLE TO DO SO.”
It is NOT your call to say what is practical or not. It is the cyclists call.
September 30th, 2009 at 1:28 pm Chris(Quote)
This is not an argument I’m going to win, particularly now it has descended to personal attacks. Thanks for the otherwise constructive input.
September 30th, 2009 at 1:31 pm Chris(Quote)
Precisely. Which gives them the opportunity to flaunt that particular road rule, even when it is “IMPRACTICABLE TO DO SO”
September 30th, 2009 at 1:35 pm David(Quote)
OK Chris, you thus far have been determined to treat cyclists as some renegade bunch of hooligans, despite all and ever explanation.
So time for some real life education. Come for a ride with me on Beach Rd one Sat morning. I don’t care how fast or slow you are, that is not what this is about. Come see what it’s like. Then you can talk.
Deal?
September 30th, 2009 at 1:39 pm Don(Quote)
Chris
I agree that things shouldn’t degenerate into personal attacks. But when you mention “mowing” down of cyclists, those of us who have been injured deliberately by motorists can’t help but see red. It becomes very personal when you actually start getting used to regular verbal and physical abuse by motorists.
The odd thing for me is that before I started cycling, it never occurred to me that people deliberately swerved at cyclists, or threw things at cyclists. I must have missed that memo. But now I know, and these so called “jokes” are nothing more than incitement of violence toward vulnerable road users. So, we tend to take it personally because we have scars and injuries as a result.
September 30th, 2009 at 1:57 pm James(Quote)
Lovely contradiction there, you’ve acknowledged that we can ride 2 abreast at the same speed, and obviously realise that that can mean 2 in each lane at the same speed, or 3 -4 if bikes are overtaking other bikes.
Why should we be in the gutter? Have you ever cycled? There is always rocks/ car glass & rubbish in the gutters, we are entitled to the lane & most of the time we are courteous and let ‘you’ have most of the lane, but not when it is unsafe.
Some times it just isn’t safe to give the whole lane to a car, and when it’s a matter of life and death, 10 seconds of ‘your’ precious driving time means nothing to us – perhaps if we thought we could trust ‘you’ to pass us safely, we would always give ‘you’ the whole lane.
Riding in the gutter is very dodgy – if we constantly swerve in and out from behind parked cars it makes it even more dangerous
How do you propose cyclists are made more accountable? They haven’t been able to devise a practical way of putting number plates on the front of larger motorcycles, so where on earth are you going to put one big enough to be read on the front or back of a bicycle?
If someone comes up with a practical way of doing it, then I’ll happily register my bike provided that the fee is reasonable & or it results in a reduction in my cars registration fees. I’ll also happily get a bicycle license if they ever implement a licensing system. (but you do realise we can be fined already, right?)
Also, drivers may well be more accountable, but they do cause most accidents, deaths & damages on the roads – between other cars, as well as cyclists. Also, if a cyclist does the wrong thing and hits a car, it is highly unlikely that the driver will be injured, but when a car hits a cyclist, it is highly likely that the cyclist will be killed or maimed.
So when it comes to accountability, drivers NEED to be more accountable – as a matter of life and death (But I would love to see all cyclists being more accountable, but don’t kid yourself about what it would achieve – remove accountability from drivers, and road fatalities and accidents will soar, the same can’t be said for cyclists)
September 30th, 2009 at 1:58 pm Chris(Quote)
No I haven’t. I have pointed out that cyclists do the wrong thing (not all of them) but you have steadfastly denied that a cyclist could break a road rule.
I cycle at least weekly – I’m not into competition, although I did get in to the spirit of things at the Tour Down Under. I, however, have never had the need to take over a full car lane for no reason when there has been a bike lane.
So, what reasons that are invisible to motorists make it “impracticable” to stay in the bike lane when there are no obstacles such as parked cars, pot holes, etc?
I don’t live in Victoria mate.
September 30th, 2009 at 2:14 pm David(Quote)
Really? I did? Hmm.. where did i say that?
Lets see, riding to the left and having cars pass you so closely that the wind knocks you sideways for one. or how about cars that pass so closely they flick you elbow for another reason (I had a bus do this to me on an EMPTY 5 lane road at 5.30am the other week- TWICE). I ride 300-500km a week and I KNOW that the distance I ride out from the curb = the distance that drives pass me by (I don’t know why, it just is). So if I gutter hog (which is a practise that EVERY cycling safety organisation recommends NOT doing), I will have every car squeeze past me. But if I “own” the lane, the chances of me arriving alive is increased.
As for bike lanes- same deal. Often a bike lane is squeezed into the side of a regular lane = cars squeezing past me. No thanks, I will ride for my own safety and allow cars to pass when it is safe for ME.
But please Chris, you seriously need to learn to chill out on the road when you come up behind a cyclist. So they are taking up a lane big deal. What would you do if stuck behind a slow moving truck? Those 10 seconds it takes to pass won’t make or break your day will they?
September 30th, 2009 at 2:21 pm Chris S(Quote)
Since when did *some* cyclists become a floating signifier for all other bicycle riders? It’s akin to a handful of Nissan Skyline owners or trucker drivers being held up as examples of the behaviour of every other vehicle driver.
You can bang on all you wish about your perceived lack of cyclist compliance, but a quick perusal of either RTA or TAC rolling stats in regards to road user injuries & fatalities show vehicle drivers & pedestrains are too highly represented.
September 30th, 2009 at 7:10 pm Coeus1990(Quote)
well… you can see why they hate cyclists… because both of the fat bitches have obviously never ridden a bike in their life… jealous that they have to turn to cake instead of exercise? I think so!
September 30th, 2009 at 7:20 pm dt(Quote)
two fat moles (less fat than before, granted when they were even more humongous) jealous of people being fit. Stick to eating cream buns
September 30th, 2009 at 7:39 pm Paul(Quote)
It seems most ‘entertainers’ are immune to ridicule when they do or say ducious things. Just take the Polanski thing. Anyone else having underage sex would have everyone calling for his head. Not this guy. Should get Szubanki, Polanski and Sandilands together in a room and see what happenns.
September 30th, 2009 at 8:04 pm Spock(Quote)
And Robbie McEwen has tweeted a link to the second video on this page. He has 26k followers on twitter. When he something similar over a celebrity chef in the UK who admitted to deliberately forcing cyclists off the road in his car, the press took note and it made the BBC. He’s @mcewenrobbie on twitter.
September 30th, 2009 at 9:06 pm ozsoapbox(Quote)
Thanks for that update Spock. Hopefully the UK press pick it up seeing as the Australian media just don’t seem to care.
September 30th, 2009 at 9:59 pm Liz(Quote)
This is just another disgusting tirade from yet more idiotic and uneducated morons. At least she didn’t make the foolish mistake of admitting practising her stupid suggestions like James Martin. I am not a competitive cyclist but I cycle and I drive and I am fully aware of how annoying it can be to come up behind cyclists who ride in massive packs on a normal road. but at the end of the day, I am not driving an ambulance that holds someone’s life in the balance and neither are any of the idiots that skim by. So what right do you have to purposely cause harm to another human being?
My father has been hit 3 times and had to stop commuting because it became too dangerous. From personal experience I have had things thrown out of windows, elbows skimmed by buses and have been driven off the road by lorries. It is a sickening world that we live in when people can rant about at cyclists for not taking a joke about potentially fatal practices and yet think that it is appalling that someone calls a morbidly obese person fat.
Chris – why do you have a need to be so rude to other people? You claim that you cycle and so you should understand – have you ever been run off the road by a motor vehicle? If not, then lucky you. If so, I think you need to step back and recall that moment and get some perspective.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:00 pm Liz(Quote)
A lot of UK facebookers have picked it up – you should have a look at the “Why does James Martin hate cyclists group”. I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before the beeb picks it up (I’m from Manchester UK)
September 30th, 2009 at 10:05 pm Spock(Quote)
In case you hadn’t seen it, this is her apology. On a forum that none of the redneck cretins, who only need a hint of encouragement to mow us down, will ever see.
http://forums.ten.com.au/forums/message.jspa?messageID=1510727#1510727
ps. If you have a twitter account and search for “mcewenrobbie” you will at least see that that video is now being seen and tweeted internationally. Not sure if it will get traction or not, but Robbie is very popular in Europe.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:15 pm Spock(Quote)
Thanks for the support Liz. I followed the James Martin thing and it made my blood boil. It was good to see how quickly UK cyclists managed to rally on the issue. We don’t seem to be as successful. We need to make sure that the media realise that there are consequences for marginalising a significant part of the population based on their method of transport!
September 30th, 2009 at 10:31 pm Pete(Quote)
Who can find a nun when you’re feeling murderous? Not exactly a common thing these days. Cyclists on the other hand … No, this is not funny.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:34 pm Pete(Quote)
Chris, what about these motorists who speed and run red lights? Time to get out the bazooka? You are thick, mate. The way to deal with illegal behaviour is to enforce the laws, not kill people with disproportionate force.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:04 pm Chris(Quote)
What did I say that was so rude, and to which others was I rude to?
September 30th, 2009 at 11:10 pm motiv8dan(Quote)
Im sorry all, but i have to sorta of agree with big mags, i dont agree about the mowing cyclists down bit, but i hate cyclists on the road, i dont care what the law says. Get out of my way, go ride on the bike track. I hate the fact that it costs me so much to put my car on the road and then to be held up by a bunch of free loading cyclists.
I say lighten up, she was joking, she was on a comedy show, this political correctness is going way to far. I personally dont like Mr Sandilands but all the hooplah about his comments etc, blahhhh.
Sorry but get out of my way all you tofu, vegetarian hippies.
lol that last bit was a joke.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:18 pm Vince(Quote)
motiv8dan, I think one of the main points here is the issue of double standards.
Kyle says a bad word and all hell brakes loose… Magda “Cupcake Queen” Szubanski does the same (even after attacking Kyle for it) and all we get is an cut&paste apology on the Channel Ten forum.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:24 pm Spock(Quote)
Not a critical thinker eh Dan? 99% of cyclists have a car (I have a car and a motorbike) that they pay rego for but don’t use much. I’ve saved $30k over 10 years by not having to replace my car, only 35k kilometers on the clock after 10 years use. Still has new car smell!
So your freeloader “argument” is already underwater. Bikes cause zero damage to the roads, unlike your car. And if you had an ounce of critical thinking, you’d realise that it’s other cars that actually hold you up, and not cyclists.
So you hate now much you have to spend, and the answer is staring you in the face on this page?
October 1st, 2009 at 12:14 am motiv8dan(Quote)
lol i know what your saying, i will never ride if i have the choice to drive. I go for rides with the kids etc down to the local parks but thats it. We avoid traffic and pedestrians.
not really, by having a car doesnt mean its open slather for other modes of transport. ie- because i pay rego on my car does it allow me to hold up the left lane in peak hour on my razor scooter?
I understand the argument about cars etc, but motorists pay through the ring for damaging roads and infrastructure, so i believe they should have right of way is all.
Bike riders generally dont inconvenience me that much, its just when they do, it seems like its always at the worst time. I live in melbourne and the traffic atm to get anywhere is a nightmare due to a crap load of roadworks. I just dont want to get held up by a bike when i have finally cleared traffic.
October 1st, 2009 at 12:16 am ozsoapbox(Quote)
Generally speaking rego barely covers the admin costs of administering rego.
…most of the money for road maintenance is pulled the public fund pool.
October 1st, 2009 at 12:31 am James(Quote)
Clearly you’ve never tried to cycle regularly on the road or a bike path. Most cyclists that are commuting or exercising average 20-40 kph. Those sort of speeds are not safe on bike paths when they are shared with pedestrians, including young children running around, kids on bmx’s and mothers with prams.
Bike paths are always shared paths for pedestrians and cyclists & pedestrians generally get right of way. Would you think it was funny if a cyclist on TV suggested that pedestrians have no right to be on shared paths, and that cyclists should try and hit and injure pedestrians on shared paths? (DO NOT DO THIS, this is an example of the hypocrisy, I do not condone or recommend any actions that result in others being injured or disrespected)
Also, bike paths rarely follow the most convenient and shortest routes for people trying to get from a – b in an acceptable time – typically they are designed for recreation and follow foreshores & parklands.
every cyclist I know owns a car, pays registration and has a drivers license. But that’s beside the point, it’s our income tax & GST that is the biggest contributor to roads – so we pay the same amount for roads as you do, yet we don’t use them as much, rarely use freeways, don’t damage the roads and have a very small environmental impact, we reduce the demand for car parking spaces, public transport and reduce traffic congestion.
It could be argued that we have more of a right to the roads than car drivers do – we pay just as much to use them, but have less of an impact.
October 1st, 2009 at 12:36 am motiv8dan(Quote)
i get what your saying, lets just agree to disagree, but stay out of my way lol. The only thing i do when i see a cyclists that holds me up is, when i finally get around them and i can see im getting stopped at a red light ahead, i pull up with traffic to the extreme left so he cant squeeze through. I know its trivial, but he inconvenienced me so im doing it back…
October 1st, 2009 at 12:44 am Spock(Quote)
Oh fantastic. You’re a child who has kids. Dog help us all. Is your life so small that such petty immaturity is a highlight for you? There’s never going to be another Einstein, is there?
October 1st, 2009 at 12:57 am James(Quote)
No, you don’t.
How mature, please tell me how that inconveniences a cyclist though?
When we’re stopped at a traffic light, do you really think it matters that we have to stop ONE EXTRA CAR SPACE (OMG) back from the lights? We just roll all the way forward because it just makes sense, and we can do it by law.
Do you realise that many roads with bike lanes have ‘bike boxes’ at traffic lights, that are the exclusive domain of cyclists, you are not allowed to pull up to the extreme left in this situation.
How did ‘he’ inconvenience you?
October 1st, 2009 at 1:02 am motiv8dan(Quote)
Um buy slowing me down, by waiting ages to overtake him while the right lanes full.
no just makes me feel better thats all. Got to do something while sitting in traffic, which isnt helped by cyclists.
yeah i dont mind them on roads with designated bike lanes , they dont get in my way there, just normal roads, thats all. We are getting a bit off topic anyways, what magda said was all a joke, tongue in cheek.
Lets just get on with it, political correctness, i hate it, if your fat your fat, dont like being called fat, do something about it. Yes a i know theres exceptions but omg really.
October 1st, 2009 at 1:38 am James(Quote)
Is it school holidays? Your maturity, apparent IQ and your stupid arguments would suggest you’re 13 and if it’s a school night you should be in bed.
Where do I buy it?
Seriously, how long are you slowed down for? What’s the worst case scenario that can come from you being slowed down?
October 1st, 2009 at 1:46 am James(Quote)
Oh and dan, have a read of this… If you are capable of it.
http://www.bicyclinglife.com/EffectiveAdvocacy/Marginalization.htm
October 1st, 2009 at 7:19 am ozsoapbox(Quote)
I just go around the right when this happens. It’s no big deal really!
October 1st, 2009 at 8:20 am Citizen-D(Quote)
http://www.theage.com.au/national/magdas-anticyclist-rant-sparks-chain-reaction-20091001-gcyf.html
October 1st, 2009 at 9:29 am motiv8dan(Quote)
lol capable, thats a joke, getting a bit precious on your pushie. I like the way hippies on here get personal when there is a view different to theirs. That link is funny, get over it you ride a bike.
exactly, no big deal. He made we wait thirty secs so he can go around me at the lights.
October 1st, 2009 at 9:31 am motiv8dan(Quote)
that 30 seconds could be better spent at home, instead of looking at the ass of some vegetarian. Thats all, maybe they should charge some sort of rego fee and install more of them bike lanes etc around the place, they seem to work ok.
October 1st, 2009 at
[...] appearing on Good News Week last Monday night and advocating violence against cyclists, Magda Szubanski has issued an apology that was published on the Channel 10 forums: “I am so [...]
October 1st, 2009 at 10:41 am Spock(Quote)
Seriously, give up trying to argue with motiv8dan. His scribbles have given me a small insight into the simple minds of people who drive everywhere, but actually hate doing it, and hate the expense of doing it. Go to work and spend a significant part of your earnings on the process of getting to work. Seems crazy to me. So I don’t do it.
Never met anyone who enjoys their daily commute. Oh, except for cyclists. I love my 50km round trip everyday.
October 1st, 2009 at 11:54 am ChrisS(Quote)
The spelling of ‘ass” is a dead giveaway to Dan’s origins. Obviously not a local or has soaked up too much US telly.
**crickets chirping**
October 1st, 2009 at 12:16 pm James(Quote)
Yep, because your 30 seconds at home is soooo much more important than the life of another legal road user. Say that to the family of cyclists murdered on the road by people like you.
What do you think that will achieve? Nothing, but we will happily pay it if morons like yourself will give us a little bit more room on the road.
I assume you’ll happily pay it for your kids(poor things) bmx’s?
But he’s comebacks are so lame its entertaining.
October 1st, 2009 at 12:26 pm kate(Quote)
Magda Szubanski you are an ignorant pig!!!! You obviously have not been touched by the damage that is done to families and the injured when hit by a car. The pain both physical and mental are horrendous. The road is to share and bicycle riders are doing their bit for our environment, our health budget and for society. What we need is encouragment for our slack governments to provide more safe riding paths. GET A BLOODY LIFE MAGDA AND GET ON YOUR BIKE! – such comments (skits) are not funny they are just plain ignorant.
October 1st, 2009 at 2:14 pm Jeff(Quote)
At least these people trying to help the environment and stay fit Magda. You should try this sometime. OH MY GOD seeing you’re over size but on the free way would certainly cause and accident. EEEEEW you in lycra.
October 1st, 2009 at 3:32 pm dave(Quote)
People, what is this all about?
I think the point is not cyclist vs automobile, but an opinionated, self indulgent slob called Magda Szubanski. I found it ironic that she dared to rant about cyclists when, as a society, we’ve had to endure her fat comedian role for many years. Once she used to be funny, but then she started to appear on The Panel and felt that she needed to share her opinions with Australia. So we then received both barrels – her smug self-indulgence and her fat a*se.
Now we even get the post-Jenny Craig down to 140kg spakfilla version of her face thanks to the Women’s Weekly.
Could the media do us all a favour and simply forget this shocker of a woman even exists. Canning the Spearman Experiment would be a gift to society in itself.
October 1st, 2009 at 3:48 pm motiv8dan(Quote)
either do i, i have a company vehicle that i need for getting around with all my tools etc, so it doesnt cost me anything.
Hopefully it would go to installing bike lanes so name calling hippie, vegetarian, virgins who think they are cool because they ride a bike can get out of the way and feel safer.
Thats one way to comeback at an argument when youve got nothing else, i suppose i know you are i said you are is next?
I agree its not safe for cyclists out there, but lobby the government for more bike lanes, dont expect to get it all for nothing, dont forget you are the minority. Society is user pays for everything nowdays…
October 1st, 2009 at 3:51 pm motiv8dan(Quote)
credit where its due 50km a day is a good effort. How much of that commute is bike lane/path? Or is the majority on the road with cars?
October 1st, 2009 at 4:22 pm James(Quote)
Yet you complain about cyclists free loading on the roads when you have to pay so much to drive? Strange argument.
I’ve got plenty, it’s just your comments are really stupid, so there isn’t much to argue with.
We do lobby the government. Yes, it is user pays for everything, and as a taxpayer I pay for roads I hardly use. If anything, you’re the one who doesn’t pay a fair amount for the amount of road you use, compared to cyclists.
Cycle paths and lanes on roads are a hell of a lot cheaper to construct than freeways which cyclists hardly ever use.
So for the same amount of money through our taxation all we get is a splash of paint for bike lanes on the road, and a few pathways. Compared to what motorists get – massive freeways that cost billions, etc.
If you really want a user pays system, you will have to pay a hell of a lot more than you already do because of the amount of road you use. And cyclists will be taxed less. I take it you’ll be happy with a user pays system? I would be.
October 1st, 2009 at 4:30 pm Spock(Quote)
It’s a combination, around 50/50. But I commute into the city and deal with that traffic. My total daily commute time is 1.5 hours, and that obviously includes all the exercise I’ll ever need. And despite the odd threat and other stupid behavior, my commute is the favourite part of my day, and it makes me intensely happy.
I’ll say one thing for you – I think you’re misguided about us having to “stay out of your way” and on many other cycling related issues. You’ll never see our perspective until you ride in our shoes, or at least try to honestly imagine it. But you haven’t resorted to threats of violence which is the all too common response we get when asserting our rights to a reasonably safe journey without violence and threats. So you’re okay.
October 1st, 2009 at 4:49 pm motiv8dan(Quote)
it will only get you so far though, you guys are the minority, i for one dont want to pay more taxes to cover a minority, if you guys want it pay for it simple. Petrol gos a long way to paying for roads etc, but get where your coming from, i dont want to pay for you, you dont want to pay for me. I dont know the answers, all i know is cyclists on roads without bike lanes and cars dont mix..
Viloence never sorts anything out, i get frustrated is all, dont get me started on trucks on our roads……
I dont think i will ever ride on the roads, i used to ride for a bit of exercise each night, but just stuck to paths etc, i would get out of peoples way as i was on a mountain bike, i just dont go on the road, i know how frustrating it is.
I also used to play touch footy down at elwood ( melbourne)on the weekends and the cyclists around there was a nightmare on weekends, thats where most of my frustration comes from, but i dealt with it, just had to leave home earlier, which i wasnt happy with.
I just hate bleeting from minorities who want us to conform with them, minorities should conform with the majority.
October 1st, 2009 at 8:07 pm Dave Cole(Quote)
I am sure someone has pointed this out before, but roads are not funded by your car registration. Roads are paid for by taxes and council rates.
When you pay to register your car you are paying the administration cost of the registration system, and you are paying compulsory third party insurance. The compulsory third party insurance is a direct reflection of the massive cost your mode of transport causes in terms of injury to other people and damage to their property.
If you are so upset at the cost of registering your car then start getting angry at the average incompetence of drivers.
The fact that you drive a car means that you probably read the road rules book to get your license. I suggest you go and read them again because you seem to have forgotten that cyclists have as much right to use the road as you have. Cyclists are not free-loaders, if anything they are disproportionately funding the roads for your use in a car.
If you take the time to think about what is making your car trips take longer you will realise that it is other cars. Every person on a bike is one less car on the road. If you were rational you would be thanking people who ride their bikes thereby leaving the rest of the road to you.
As to whether the majority of cyclists disobey the road rules, I suggest you go and look at the story on The Age website where a policeman explains that 95% of cyclists obey the road rules, but only 80% of drivers do. So another 15% of cyclists would need to start flouting the road rules to make them as bad as drivers.
October 1st, 2009 at 9:20 pm motiv8dan(Quote)
I dont care if you have the right, i never disputed it. Its just an inconvenience to the rest of the road users where a bike takes up a lane where there is no bike lane.
I have the right to drive thru maccas and get a soft serve cone during lunch and pay by eftpos, inconvenience everyone in the line etc, having the right doesnt change things.
October 1st, 2009 at 9:22 pm motiv8dan(Quote)
I applaud bike riders in bike lanes, good job, getting healthy, going green and all that. I think what we need is more bike lanes, but im not going to pay for them…Are you?
October 1st, 2009 at 10:44 pm Dave Cole(Quote)
You really don’t have a firm grip on reality do you? Your taxes and rates pay for work on roads. You do not get to decide how the tax collected from you is distributed by the government.
October 1st, 2009 at 11:06 pm James(Quote)
Yes I am, and so are you, you’re already paying for them – you have no choice, tax & rate payers money will continue to be spent on cycling infrastructure in increasing amounts, and their is nothing you can do to stop that while you pay taxes and rates. -
just like our money will continue to be spent on roads that we don’t use, and there’s nothing we can do to stop “our” money being spent on them.
But not the ones that are riding on roads without bike lanes? (the same cyclists you applaud for cycling in bike lanes – because it’s almost impossible for anyone to get from one place to another solely riding on roads with bike lanes.
Reality & logic, where art thou?
October 2nd, 2009 at 5:03 am 62shelby(Quote)
Bicycles will be around long after peak oil, when you fat arse SUV driving, toddler killing motorists will have to get off said fat arses in your dash to the next red light and ride a bike, because you will have guzzled all the gas getting your fat arse from a to b, then your fat arse will start to realise what exercise is all about. And since your thinking with your fat arses, think about this, the next cyclists you buzz is someones mother, father, brother, sister son or daughter. If one of your relatives is injured by some stupid motorist how would you feel about that?
October 2nd, 2009 at 3:53 pm motiv8dan(Quote)
um yeah,all i can say is wow, no wonder the worl isnt to fussed on cyclists with muppets like that, omg..
October 2nd, 2009 at 4:02 pm James(Quote)
The world isn’t too fussed on cyclists??
Wow, you clearly need to open your eyes to the amount of (your!)money being spent around Australia & the world on cycling infrastructure, and to the fact that there have been more bicycles sold in Australian than cars sold for something like the last 9 years. As well as the fact that more and more people are taking up cycling for transport.
There is a big wide world outside of Australia (shock horror) and cycling is an extremely popular and accepted form of transport in Europe and many other areas (I take it you’ve never seen the amount of bicycle riders in big Asian cities for example)
But your right, the world isn’t too fussed. (OH WAIT, there is more to the world than your suburb!)
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:00 pm 62shelby(Quote)
Motiv8Dan, go ahead and keep your head in the sand and your fat arse in the air, we can use it as a bike stand, lol.
James, I rode for six months in Europe, fully loaded touring riding and camping self supported, and was given beaucoup respect on the road particularly in France, which is where I was last year, riding the Pyrenees coast to coast in four and a half days and once again got nothing but respect. I grew up in Australia, but didnt become a cyclist till I left. I have ridden and lived in the UK, Canada and USA and out of all the motorists in France in particular are the most sensitive and respectful of cyclists, where the history is rich.
I have to say that I hate the them and us mentality that divides cyclists (whom usually have cars) and motorists, there is no division, we are all one, trying to use the road. If youre in your car and a cyclists is using the road they are entitled to be there, whether you like it or not. So what it takes a few seconds to get past, it seems though that the more obese the general population gets the greater the resentment of cyclists is. I think its sub conscious self loathing.It must be awful to have a flabby disease ridden body and see some sleek lycra clad cyclist ahead enjoying a self propelled mode of transport that you probably wont ever experience again, your body is a reflection of your respect for self and the environment, so if you treat your body like shit its likely your attitude to the environment is the same. Sorry if the truth hurts.
October 2nd, 2009 at 11:36 pm James(Quote)
Errr, why are those comments directed at me, I completely agree with you?(unless I misunderstand something??
October 3rd, 2009 at 1:14 am Robert(Quote)
I like a laugh, but as a cyclist doing battle on inadequate roads with inadequately trained drivers I didn’t find the end of the rant funny.
In the interests of defusing the us and them flavour of this debate I should say that I drive a car too.
October 3rd, 2009 at 1:36 am 62shelby(Quote)
Sorry James, lol, no not at all! just went off on one at the end. just referred to you re the agreeing on a whole world out there beyond the fatal shore that loves cycling, which is absolutely true and my experience too.
October 3rd, 2009 at 6:55 am Me(Quote)
I grew up in Melbourne, now in UK. I can happily cycle around in London any day of the week, without a helmet, and without any particular fear of being ridden off the road by a rabid cyclist hater.
I was genuinely horrified by this clip; to hear these words coming from the mouth of a comedian I had previously respected; to see other comedians I had respected laughing along in the background; to hear the audience cheering her on.
Seems like the most traditional Aussie characteristic of ‘mateship’ has been soundly defeated by the air-conditioned motorised box.
October 3rd, 2009 at 11:39 am motiv8dan(Quote)
All i can say is your why the world hates cyclists, this attitude of im cool because im on a bike only makes you look like a tool. Im sure there are normal people out there who ride and enjoy it, good luck, but to you pffftt, its time to get a girlfriend or boyfriend( im tipping this, not that theres anything wrong with that) and get your hand off it.
Kids cant drive though, im tipping a major % of them sales figures would be kids, which is good, they need exercise..
October 3rd, 2009 at 11:58 pm 62shelby(Quote)
motiv8Dan, like I said the truth hurts, obviously so if you feel like you want to lash out like that fine, go ahead, if it makes your tiny sense of self worth feel any better.
btw, married to a (male)track cyclist, actually we will be in Australia for World Masters for October, cause yeah, we are cool. lol
October 4th, 2009 at 2:14 pm Gbomb(Quote)
What concerns me more is that Magda’s rants is typical of the general populations attitude to people who exercise.
I mean for example when the hell pack went through a red light ending up killing a man, the reaction of the media and the general public was generally very red neck and negative towards all cyclists. Yet I am sure a lot more pedestrians and cyclists have been hit by cars and don’t even get into the news.
The same sort of attitude seems to lead to councils
proposing to charge personal trainers to use local parks, proposals to make cyclists pay to use the roads. I would have thought that considering the fears of an obesity epidemic, councils and other community/governing bodies should be encouraging people to exercise, and certainly not be doing things to make it more difficult for people to do physical activity.
Another example, I compete at reasonably high level level in triathlons and I am mid-forties. In my last job in the Western suburbs, the attitude of most people including my last manager was there was something pathologically wrong with me for doing so. Yet I would estimate that 80% of the employers were overweight, and a lot of people there in there mid-20s had pot guts.
I can speculate about the why it seems the majority of the populations seems to have such a negative attitude, but I think that it is not going to change in a hurry.
October 4th, 2009 at 2:59 pm ozsoapbox(Quote)
Australia’s been a petrol society for as long as I can remember. The trouble is petrol has always been affordable and when it’s teeters on getting “too expensive” governments bend over backwards to neutralise it as it’s a vote winner.
As a nation we haven’t really been forced to leave our cars at home yet. One day…
October 4th, 2009 at 8:35 pm motiv8dan(Quote)
I think karma got me today, spent most of my arvo today fixing punctures, replacing tubes on my kids bike.
I agree with you sort of, councils are entitled to charge for using their parks, i play cricket in summer and the amount of money it costs us to run our club, is amazing, the amount that the councils get is even more amazing.
But maybe some sort of encentive to help people move into exercise could be a good thing, considering how fat people are getting.
Truth hurts? What that your an idiot? People dont look at you in your lycra and think your cool, maybe thats why you cycle, no friends and its a sport you can do on your own.
October 4th, 2009 at 10:51 pm 62shelby(Quote)
motiv8Dan, I think Ghomb expressed it quite eloquently when he expressed the pathological attitude that you seem to share with the less than average Australiann regarding serious cycling. I worked with guys like you, its a bit sad dont know what your hate on is about dont really care but its clear I have hit a sore spot.
October 5th, 2009 at 6:48 am James(Quote)
http://www.yehudamoon.com/index.php?date=2009-02-20
Yes, because that makes so much sense, not. If you’re doing it as a sport, then you must be competing against someone or in a team.
These blokes look like real loners with no friends>>
http://vimeo.com/6890161
Even if you are just doing it for recreation, there are always cycling events going on, and plenty of clubs and social groups to ride with, as well as cycling holidays. It is no less social than golf is, and that’s something you can do on your own, it’s a waste of a good walk, but it’s still a good social ‘sport’
And you know, driving a car to work alone without any passengers, like most, is such a social thing to do. You must meet so many people doing that? You must have sooo much to talk about to yourself and it must be so enjoyable being stuck in traffic?
It must really suck to be full of prejudice and feel hate for no good reason.
October 5th, 2009 at 12:25 pm 62shelby(Quote)
James, you rock.
October 5th, 2009 at 6:54 pm Steve(Quote)
Chris – you are irrelevant. What an uninformed red neck.
And as for Magda. I thought better you. What a small minded idiot you are. An apology is not enough and is far too little too late. I won’t be watching or buying anything you do or endorse in future.
October 7th, 2009 at
[...] show Californication portrays bicycle road rage Oct.07, 2009 in Cycling After Magda Szubanski’s anti-cyclist rants the other week I was initially annoyed when I saw the first episode in season three of [...]
October 9th, 2009 at 3:51 pm heather(Quote)
Good News Week
feedback@adelaideca.com.au
On Saturday 3 October 2009, I was disappointed with your guest, well-known comedian Magda:
– She objected to cyclists using Beach Road (in Melbourne) and said they should use the path instead. Although I live in SA, I know that the volume and speed of cyclists on Beach Road negates using a path.
– She criticised cyclists walking into coffee shops with their shoes making tapping sounds. It is common after exercise for cyclists to refresh themselves with a coffee – healthier than alcohol or cigarettes. Some cycling shoes can make a noise on some surfaces, but such shoes are designed for cycling efficiency.
– She also criticised cyclists, while waiting at red traffic lights, doing a ‘balancing thing’. The design of the most efficient cycling shoes requires the shoes (and therefore cyclist) to be attached to the pedals. Waiting for the light to turn green, then reattaching to the pedals creates inefficiency and delay in reaching speed. It could even hold up an impatient driver.
What is most disappointing is Magda publicly reinforcing negative attitudes towards cyclists. This encourages motorists to continue to disregard bicycles as a legitimate transport mode that are entitled to road space. Also to disobey road rules around cyclists and disrespect the safety of cyclists. Currently in Australia, when comparing the distance travelled by cyclists with car occupants, cyclists are more often injured, seriously injured or killed.
I have been hit three times by negligent drivers and left with permanent back injuries, which impacts on my life. More distressing is that three of my cycling friends have been killed, again by negligent drivers. It is no laughing matter. Magda, please encourage road safety, rather than literally or physically knocking cyclists.
Please remember that the community is becoming aware of the environment, greenhouse gases (from motor vehicles), Climate Change, Peak Oil, and lack of exercise creating an epidemic of obesity related ill health. Cyclists are doing something about it.
I hope in the future that your guests are more community aware, or I will not be watching your show. On 5 October Good News Week was on again, but the criticism of cyclists was too fresh, so I changed channels. There was Magda again, so I switched off and read a book.
You are most welcome to forward this email to Magda.
Heather
P.S. I am sending copies to 16 cyclists, as well as posting this.
October 12th, 2009 at 11:37 am James D(Quote)
Freeloaders hey. That always amuses me when people say cyclists are freeloaders. Lets be realistic, Considering that most of my travel on my bicycle is for transport, and considering that I have done over 3000 Kms last year. Lets think about this.
Firstly it is a fact (if you dont believe me just do a bit of research) that for every 1 km I cycle I save 70 cents for the government. Addtionally the cost of petrol does not cover the cost of ripping it up, the damage it does, or the cancer it creates or the shortened lives people have because of the pollution.
So do the math 70 cents (.7) X 3000 kms = $2100 to me.
So who are the freeloaders? I think its the motorists not the cyclists.
October 12th, 2009 at 11:54 am Dave Cole(Quote)
Can you post some URL’s to support that comment?
October 12th, 2009 at 3:07 pm Citizen-D(Quote)
Councils are charging the personal trainers, not the participants, because the trainers are using public land to make money. That is fair enough to me. It is free to use the park by yourself to run, walk, jog, train, etc.
October 26th, 2009 at 4:35 pm heather(Quote)
Marketing and Publicity Manager, Network Ten Adelaide, Locked Bag 10, ADELAIDE SA 5001
Dear Sir,
Re Good News Week and Anti-Cyclist Guests
On 13 October I wrote to Network Ten complaining of the anti-cyclist sentiments expressed by guest Magda Szubanski on Good News Week on 28 September. Among other cyclist criticisms, two ‘comedians’ suggested that drivers hit cyclists. I emailed my letter to 18 cyclists.
On 15 October 2009 I received a response. Network Ten has missed the point. “In our experience, viewers recognise that the format and tone of the program, and this segment in particular, are clearly comical and that the comments made during the program are not malicious but are made in the context of a humorous and satirical program.”
My first letter omitted that many Australian drivers are inconsiderate or aggressive towards cyclists, to the point of threatening cyclists. One day I suffered four near misses, when drivers ignored road rules. Another evening I suffered four incidents of harassment shouted from cars, eg “I am going to F _ _ _ you!” There are enough idiots on the roads, without ‘comedians’ encouraging more.
My letter did include “I have been hit three times by negligent drivers and left with permanent back injuries, which impacts on my life. More distressing is that negligent drivers killed three of my cycling friends. It is no laughing matter. Magda, please encourage road safety, rather than literally or physically knocking cyclists.”
I have ‘no sense of humour’ when it comes to inciting people to hit, injure, maim or kill cyclists. I am not the only one – search the web. The response of Channel 10 does not encourage me to return to watching Good News Week.
P.S. I emailed copies to 18 cyclists.
October 31st, 2009 at
[...] She even feigns worry over a ‘twitter campaign’ against Magda Szubanski after her comments on national television encouraging motorists to open their doors onto cyclists as they drove [...]
December 9th, 2009 at
[...] Szubansk, a comedienne from Down Under, caught a whole lot of guff from bikers after her rant against lycra-louts last September. To be quite frank, I agree with her up to the point where she [...]