Journalism and cycling

Pinch Flat · 23-08-2017 01:14PM

Compare the comments on this:

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news...-36057524.html - innocent cyclist who's run over in Greece to this

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/pedestrian-remains-in-serious-condition-after-car-struck-people-in-dublin-36061676.html - speeding car over turns and takes out a lot of pedestrians.

No-one bats an eyelid. Yet the article on the cyclists stops short of suggesting he should be lynched for having the audacity to cycle on the roads. We have really turned into a patethic little country. Socially immature, aggressive, self-centered.

RayCun · 23-08-2017 01:15PM

Jawgap wrote: »

....bet they don't do one on schools rugby

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/research-finds-one-in-five-schoolboy-rugby-injuries-are-to-the-head-1.2544217

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/schools-rugby-video-raises-further-concerns-over-head-injuries-1.2109663

Moflojo · 23-08-2017 01:19PM

DeepBlue wrote: »

Yes.
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/anatomy-of-a-car-crash-part-1-1.2025739

There's a contrasting approach in the car crash series though; it delves into the causes, the response from emergency service, the Garda investigation, and the subsequent prosecution. From what I recall, there were no suggestions in that series that the victim was somehow to blame for the collision, or that a behavioural change by "all drivers" could help avoid similar collisions in future.

Jawgap · 23-08-2017 01:42PM

RayCun wrote: »

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/research-finds-one-in-five-schoolboy-rugby-injuries-are-to-the-head-1.2544217

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/schools-rugby-video-raises-further-concerns-over-head-injuries-1.2109663

So two articles about a year apart?

Not exactly the 'series of articles' alluded to, now, is it?

RayCun · 23-08-2017 02:11PM

Jawgap wrote: »

So two articles about a year apart?

Not exactly the 'series of articles' alluded to, now, is it?

Number of cyclists killed in Ireland this year = what are we up to now, 12? More?

Number of schools rugby players killed in Ireland this year = ?

And it's not like these are the only articles about cycling in the paper - there's pieces about the Ring of Kerry, picturesque cycling routes, lots about cycling infrastructure, for National Bike Week there was a big piece about how great cycling is...

ThisRegard · 23-08-2017 02:21PM

There's a view that head injuries from contact sports like rugby don't manifest themselves until later in life, resulting in early deaths, and there's no way to diagnose it until you cut the brain up.

RayCun · 23-08-2017 02:25PM

ThisRegard wrote: »

There's a view that head injuries from contact sports like rugby don't manifest themselves until later in life, resulting in early deaths, and there's no way to diagnose it until you cut the brain up.

yeah, although I think two concussions in a short space of time have a risk of immediate, serious effects.

But you're unlikely to see articles about long-term effects unless there is a new study to report on.

Jawgap · 23-08-2017 02:29PM

RayCun wrote: »

Number of cyclists killed in Ireland this year = what are we up to now, 12? More?

Number of schools rugby players killed in Ireland this year = ?

And it's not like these are the only articles about cycling in the paper - there's pieces about the Ring of Kerry, picturesque cycling routes, lots about cycling infrastructure, for National Bike Week there was a big piece about how great cycling is...

....and the number of people participating in cycling? The number of km covered? The number of journeys by bike?

And indeed there are puff travel pieces about cycling just as there are puff travel pieces about walking, running and motoring - but where are the corresponding series of articles like the IT is running this week?

....and as for the number of young rugby players killed this year - it's one (a SADS fatality).

Jawgap · 23-08-2017 02:31PM

RayCun wrote: »

yeah, although I think two concussions in a short space of time have a risk of immediate, serious effects.

But you're unlikely to see articles about long-term effects unless there is a new study to report on.

There's new material coming out all the time!!

I coach the sport and concussive injury and the management of it is practically under permanent discussion.

tomasrojo · 23-08-2017 02:56PM

Jawgap wrote: »

There's new material coming out all the time!!

I coach the sport and concussive injury and the management of it is practically under permanent discussion.

Yeah, I don't follow Rugby, and I keep coming across articles about Rugby and concussion. It's not being ignored.

magicbastarder · 23-08-2017 03:01PM

i guess one of the most effective PR campaigns on that front (though obviously not intended as such!) was the barney between the ref and the schools coach regarding a player who received a blow to the head during a schools match:
https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/support-for-referee-over-gonzaga-player-with-head-injury-1.2532997

tomasrojo · 23-08-2017 03:16PM

magicbastarder wrote: »

i guess one of the most effective PR campaigns on that front (though obviously not intended as such!) was the barney between the ref and the schools coach regarding a player who received a blow to the head during a schools match:
https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/support-for-referee-over-gonzaga-player-with-head-injury-1.2532997

That's quite enlightening in a few ways.

Chuchote · 23-08-2017 03:33PM

And more of the relentless negativity:

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/travel/which-are-the-20-best-cities-to-cycle-in-hint-dublin-is-no-longer-one-of-them-1.3194435

Which are the 20 best cities to cycle in? Hint: Dublin is no longer one of them
Leonie Corcoran
(snip)
A ranking looks at 140 cities around the world. Back in 2011, the first year of the report by Copenhagen design company Copenhagenzie, Dublin was ranked ninth. Admittedly this was a surprise to many in the capital, with then Lord Mayor Andrew Montague describing the result as “astonishing”.
But back then Dublin was experiencing a “grand rebound” and was awarded 12 bonus points for “particularly impressive efforts”. It achieved a top 10 spot due to “ballsy political decision-making” according to the authors of the index. They cited the “wildly successful bike share programme, visionary politicians who implemented bike lanes and 30km/hr zones and a citizenry who have merely shrugged and gotten on with it”.
The judging for the index is based on 14 parameters, including advocacy, parking facilities, infrastructure, bike share schemes, politics, social acceptance, traffic calming and perceptions of safety.
This year, the authors say Ireland has slipped out of the Top 20 because “after many years of progress, the city has stagnated and, to be honest, disappointed”. Cyclists in the capital won’t disagree, but don’t despair, there are many bicycle-friendly cities a short flight away and perfect for an autumn weekend getaway. (snip)

(I would have regarded this as important when the figures were published a month or so ago, but in the context of the current coverage…)

tomasrojo · 23-08-2017 03:50PM

Cyclists in the capital won’t disagree, but don’t despair, there are many bicycle-friendly cities a short flight away and perfect for an autumn weekend getaway.

I don't think they understand the principle of utility cycling.

"Why don't you run along and do your funny little hobby in your spare time."

tomasrojo · 23-08-2017 03:52PM

I have to commend Copenhagenize on their ability to get media coverage. Not so sure about the consistency or transparency of their Index.

Chuchote · 23-08-2017 04:31PM

Odd that The Irish Times doesn't write about things like this

http://cyclingwithoutage.ie/

https://twitter.com/FionaDoris/status/900037805258272768

tomasrojo · 23-08-2017 06:46PM

Not 100% sure, but think they might have written something about Cycling Without Age.

adrian522 · 23-08-2017 08:37PM

I find this very interesting, it is about the case n the UK where a cyclist without a front brake hit a pedestrian who subsequently passed away.

https://amp.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2017/aug/23/motorist-would-not-have-landed-cyclists-wanton-and-furious-driving-charge

He was charged with manslaughter and wanton and furious driving, which motorists running down pedestrians would not be charged with (according to the writer who is "a leading personal injury/clinical negligence lawyer"

The most interesting thing I find was in the reporting of this in comparison to the hundreds of pedestrians killed by cars every year:

Some press reports were full of language (“ploughed into” etc) that is seldom seen when a car driver (or as was being dealt with in a nearby court, a speeding motorcycle rider) runs down a pedestrian.

Alliston may not have revealed himself to be a very attractive character and no one can fail to feel anguish about the terrible waste of yet another life. However there is a lot about the bringing of charges at this level, and the conviction for wanton and furious cycling, to cause substantial disquiet notwithstanding Alliston’s acquittal on the manslaughter charge.

If it is going to make any meaningful contribution to the reduction of danger on the roads, our criminal justice system needs to recalibrate away from the prejudice that motoring is innocuous and cycling dangerous and towards controlling the behaviour of those imposing greatest risk.

P_1 · 23-08-2017 09:47PM

adrian522 wrote: »

I find this very interesting, it is about the case n the UK where a cyclist without a front brake hit a pedestrian who subsequently passed away.

https://amp.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2017/aug/23/motorist-would-not-have-landed-cyclists-wanton-and-furious-driving-charge

He was charged with manslaughter and wanton and furious driving, which motorists running down pedestrians would not be charged with (according to the writer who is "a leading personal injury/clinical negligence lawyer"

The most interesting thing I find was in the reporting of this in comparison to the hundreds of pedestrians killed by cars every year:

Yeah I've been following that one too. Absolute madness how heavy handed the case was treated. Having said that I do question the wisdom of riding a fixie with no brakes in a busy urban environment.

HivemindXX · 23-08-2017 10:32PM

That IT thing with the doctor was a little confusing. Am I right to think the quote was basically, brain specialist says that injured cyclists sent to him at the brain injury unit had a lot of brain injuries? Surely that should not be surprising.

I imagine if you asked an orthopaedic surgeon you'd find that in their experience a lot of cycling injuries resulted in broken bones. If you asked the school nurse you'd find that most injuries were easily dealt with with a bit of dettol and a sticky bandage.

This sort of sad excuse for journalism is why the most common thing people tell me when they find out I commute by bike is that they would love to do it but it is just too dangerous.

magicbastarder · 23-08-2017 10:36PM

dentist: 'from what i can see, 100% of cyclists attending my clinic in the aftermath of cycling incidents have suffered dental damage'.

to be fair, i guess it's standard journalistic boilerplate to get some generic quotes from the medical staff about the sort of injuries they treat.

Traumadoc · 23-08-2017 10:42PM

magicbastarder wrote: »

dentist: 'from what i can see, 100% of cyclists attending my clinic in the aftermath of cycling incidents have suffered dental damage'.

to be fair, i guess it's standard journalistic boilerplate to get some generic quotes from the medical staff about the sort of injuries they treat.

All cyclists I see at my trauma clinic have sustained some sort of
trauma.:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Jimoslimos · 23-08-2017 11:40PM

adrian522 wrote: »

I find this very interesting, it is about the case n the UK where a cyclist without a front brake hit a pedestrian who subsequently passed away.

https://amp.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2017/aug/23/motorist-would-not-have-landed-cyclists-wanton-and-furious-driving-charge

He was charged with manslaughter and wanton and furious driving, which motorists running down pedestrians would not be charged with (according to the writer who is "a leading personal injury/clinical negligence lawyer"

The most interesting thing I find was in the reporting of this in comparison to the hundreds of pedestrians killed by cars every year:

An absolutely baffling verdict, and made even crazier by the judge indicating that a custodial sentence (based on an an interpretation of an archaic law) would be likely.

Prosecution rested on the following;
He had no front brake - Guilty and should be charged with that.
Having a front brake would have prevented the collision - Unproven, based on extremely dubious science on a completely different bike. Jury should have been told to ignore that "evidence"
It was a track bike "like the sort ridden in the Olympic velodrome" - Irrelevant
He was cycling at nearly "20 mph" - Well obviously out on the road since he wasn't fast enough for the aforementioned velodrome
He's a bit of a dick - Guilty, but irrelevant.

To me, a charge of wanton and furious driving would only have been applicable if he had run a red light or if the woman had been on a pedestrian crossing.

I think the fact it was a jury trial also contributed to the verdict. Can imagine emotion rather than interpretation of the law played a large part.

Chuchote · 24-08-2017 07:20AM

Irish Times today:

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/life-after-a-cycling-accident-my-world-changed-in-a-heartbeat-1.3196116?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Life after a cycling accident: ‘My world changed in a heartbeat’
Geraldine Lavelle lives in a care home after being paralysed in a collision in 2013

Seán Dunne

Geraldine Lavelle’s life changed “in a heartbeat”. That was in October 2013 when she was left paralysed from the chest down following a collision with a lorry.
The Sligo native had become accustomed to enjoying an early-morning cycle before work, until the accident cycling on the Longford-Mullingar road changed life for the then 27-year-old.
The collision left Ms Lavelle, a graduate of NUI Galway where she gained a first-class master’s degree in neuroscience, with spinal fractures and paralysed from the chest down.
“I was a keen cyclist, I cycled 25-30km Monday to Friday before work and I was only getting into it when the accident occurred. I had done one 60km race and one 100km race before the accident,” Ms Lavelle said.

No analysis of the cause of crashes whatsoever. The only references to how the "accident" happened are the fact that it was a "collision with a lorry" when she was "enjoying an early-morning cycle", and this:

Sometimes she gets upset thinking back to the day the accident happened but her message is simple. “Drivers: check your mirrors and be conscious of other users on the roads.”

I had thought The Irish Times was getting less fluffy and more journalistic under its new editor, but don't any longer find it so - it seems to have sunk back into being a kind of broadsheet Cosmopolitan.

magicbastarder · 24-08-2017 08:04AM

to be fair, it could be an attempt to humanise those people many drivers see simply as rolling roadblocks - to put faces and stories behind the accidents a simple lapse of concentration can cause.

with all the stories of the increased number of fatalities this year, it *is* kinda topical.

not that i would agree with all the language used in the articles.

Pinch Flat · 24-08-2017 08:18AM

The Indo are running similar, this one about a pedestrian hit by a car "if he was wearing hi vis I would have seen him"

http://m.independent.ie/business/farming/rural-life/death-on-a-rural-irish-road-i-knew-id-hit-someone-but-there-was-no-body-on-the-road-36062834.html

magicbastarder · 24-08-2017 08:24AM

that's a hell of a discrepancy:

Martin thought he was travelling at around 85km/hour but the inquest, which took place some months later heard that a Garda report found he was travelling at between 47 and 56km/hour, based on the forensics, from impact and where the body was found.

Pinch Flat · 24-08-2017 09:07AM

The Indo journos are desperately looking for one on cycling "If he had of being paying road tax (sic), perhaps I wouldn't have hit him". Watch this space

Danbo! · 24-08-2017 09:42AM

Pinch Flat wrote: »

"if he was wearing hi vis I would have seen him"

I can't even begin to imagine what it feels like to read that as a relative of the victim.

Chips Lovell · 24-08-2017 10:00AM

It's genuinely depressing people are coming out to bat for your man just because he's a cyclist.

He bragged about riding brakeless.

He roared twice at the woman to “get out of the way” before hitting her.

He then blamed the collision on her:

After seeing a newspaper report about the incident, Alliston posted a comment online claiming he tried to warn her but she had “ignored” him and “stopped dead” in his path

He wrote: “I feel bad due to the seriousness of her injuries but I can put my hand up and say this is not my fault.”

He wrote: “It is a pretty serious incident so I won’t bother saying she deserved it. It was her fault but she did not deserve it.”

The judge noted yesterday:

“I have not seen one iota of remorse from Mr Alliston at all at any stage.”

Journalism and cycling

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