Just Plain Wrong

What is going on??? Bristol Naked Bike Ride??? Who's idea was that?

I wanted to buy a new Top Gear DVD last Sunday, so I set off in the Range Rover for Cabot Circus, only to be confronted by this...

And this,

and even this.

Mrs Quercus was proper embarrassed, and the children didn't know where to look...

Not only did these filthy tax-dodgers seriously hold me up between traffic lights, but they also offended many, many shoppers and other proper tax-paying car users, who were so incensed by the spectacle that they had to take photos of the event on their mobile phones.

I'll bet it's probably all over Flickr and Youtube by now. Disgusting.

What is the world coming to when these hippy outcasts with their anarchist, lifestyle changing attitudes think they can ride around naked and avoid paying VAT by not even buying clothes? Isn't it illegal to expose yourself in public?

Apparently this whole charade was just to highlight the vulnerability of cyclists on our roads, and, worse still, to campaign for Car-Free Sundays in Bristol city centre. Just plain wrong.

Despite dialling 999, no police turned up. At all*. Not even outside Bristol Cathedral, or our beloved Council House.

I am livid. I'll be contacting the ABD to ensure this doesn't happen again.

(*except, possibly, the guy on the motorbike?)

Sketchy Weekend

Three things this weekend so far:

1. Very sketchy Critical Mass.

Difficult to hold the road (not enough riders, really), but had to make sure my children survived the impatience of certain drivers.

Interestingly though, Friday's ride did prove that even very few road-users can take control of the entire infrastructure. We will be alerting our friends at the Association of British Drivers to see if they can help next month.

2. The students are back.

Careful out there, boy and girls.

Bristol seems to have filled-up this week (and last) with strange new number plates. And although they all have six A* A levels, their driving skills leave something to be desired... But they know how to hoot cyclists. Fantastic.

Maybe they will become educated in the ways of the 'Cycling City' before they leave for top jobs in the (other) City...

3. Redland Mums are out.

Ouch. Or nearly. Be careful, also, for the Redland Mums. They don't say sorry when they cut you up, and they don't like it when you swear at them in front of their children.

I apologise.

Criminals

Not content with ruining my usual Friday night tour of Bristol City Centre in my X5, these criminals, who usually run every red light they can find, have actually stopped at the lights.

Outrageous.

Hi-Viz

Following some comments earlier, I can reveal I will be doing Hi-Viz tomorrow night...

Having just received the following email:

Subject: Reminder: Critical Mass on Friday

Just a wee reminder about the Critical Mass bike ride on Friday!

Still a little time to spread the word... and remember to decorate your bike (and/or yourself) in some way if you get chance - anything from a couple of ribbons to a full-on costume would be fantastic!

As always we meet at the fountains opposite the Hippodrome from 5.30 and set off at 6pm.

See you there!

Cycling rule enforcement in NY

As part of the coverage of cycling-city-ideas-from-abroad, here's footage of the New York Police enforcing traffic laws, which apparently includes a requirement to have a bell. Clearly lacking a bell is a punishable offence.

Bristol cyclists do not yet receive such treatment, which must upset some of the people who write letters to the Evening Post on a regular basis. Incidentally, this shows the merits of wearing a helmet. (Source: Gothamist. Very divided comments).
Updated: the New York Times has more detail. Apparently the cyclist was arrested for his part in the incident -for "attempted assault, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest".