Critical Mass cycle messengers attacked by Big Media Hypocrites : Melbourne Indymedia

From: ecology action australia
To: Boss
Sent: Monday, November 27, 2006 7:24 AM

Subject: Comment of the day: Critical Mass cyclists last Friday and pathetic Big Media Hypocrisy shooting the messenger

[copied to NSW and federal MP's, green networks]

You have got to hand it to the Big Media and their multiple $100K salaried spruikers and their late model car culture and dependence on car advertising.

We are awash with gobal warming concern, or 'climate change', which are euphemisms for global heating.

Nuke power will have to be embraced cries PM Howard, hardly your stereotypical greenie. 'Clean coal' yelps slimmer Kim Beazley and green labrador #1 Peter Garrett. 'Sea rising' (but not too much) cries the Sydney Morning Herald ever cogniscant of waterside real estate (and advertising) economy.

But when 1000 of the cream of middle class youth actually DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT by riding their bicycles on a Friday evening in the CBD, suddenly it's all too hard.

Trioli on our ABC 702, ever the modern woman, whines about commuter delays after a long week at the office, whining being a very Sydney quality. Congratulations Virginia you have really arrived. The Sydney Daily Telegraph publishes Saturday on page 2 a headline of mobile number of a defacto cycling leader Moz just so car addicted readers can complain direct.

But they all forgot to ask themselves one question: Why didn't I ride my bike today too?

If you want to exit the city quickly a bicycle is the fastest mode in peak hour. Too far to cycle? Bi-modal rail and cycle is still quicker and cheaper. Want to cross the city or the harbour in your car? Tunnels might be the go do yer think? And don't think this is from a herbal greenie. I make my crust as a delivery driver.

Ah global heating lifestyle solutions. That's for someone else. Bring on the car adverts.

Tom McLoughlin, principal ecology action sydney

http://cpppcltrust.com/ecologyactionsydney

Related: Green MP takes Telegraph to task for promoting car as a weapon violence [a very serious criminal offence]

MEDIA RELEASE
25 November 2006

Journalist's "swerve towards" comment is threat to cyclists' safety

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon has called on journalist Anita Quigley to retract her comments about her 'desire to swerve towards' cyclists' reported in today's Daily Telegraph.

Anti Quigley in her Daily Telegraph column writes "*all cyclists in the city are irritating and I find bring on an overwhelming desire to swerve towards." http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,20814904-5001031,00.html

"This is highly irresponsible journalism. Cyclists are regularly injured and too many are killed because some car drivers engage in dangerous driving when they see a cyclist," Ms Rhiannon said.

"If the same comments about swerving towards children or a pregnant woman were made there would be outrage. Ms Quigley's comments would leave readers thinking that cyclists are fair game.

"Her comments about swerving towards cyclists effectively incites road rage against cyclists.

"Cyclists have a legal right to use our roads. Ms Quigley is effectively encouraging people to break the law.

"These comments show the need for driver education programs. The government has a responsibility to change community attitudes. But unfortunately there was nothing for cyclists in the government's Urban Transport Plan released last week.

"The Daily Telegraph should be pushing for more education of car drivers so they understand that the road is to be shared.

"The number of cyclists using city streets is on the increase because of rising fuel prices, traffic congestion and concern about climate change.

It is disappointing that the Daily Telegraph has not extended their new found climate change concern to backing more cycle paths in the city, suburbs and regional areas. That would be more constructive than promoting the obsessive views of an anti-cyclist journalist," Ms Rhiannon said.

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