Local Presenter Incurs the Wrath of Cyclists

On the 12th April 2012 during my local BBC News East Midlands Today, there was a report on the measly sentencing of a HGV Driver for causing the death of local cyclist Karl Austin during a time tial event on the A50 in Derby in June 2011. During this report, chief reporter Quentin Rayner posed the following question to cycling club official John Stewart, “[cyclists] don’t pay any road tax, how do you justify using the highway?”



This was a very unfortunate route of questioning and one cyclists have directed at them regualrly by the badly misinformed motor drivers. Incidents like the following videos show are regular and although I've not had the question of, "You don't pay road tax," I have been cut up by taxi drivers and had a bottle thrown at me by the passenger of a passing car.





This incurred the wrath of many a cyclist in the world of social media and both Quentin Rayner and BBC East Midlands Today have not publicly come out and apologised. However after mentioning this fact on twitter I was asked to send an email address for a statement. This morning I got the following 'stock' email:

Thank you for contacting us about our story involving Karl Austin who was killed while taking part in a time trial on the A50 in Derbyshire. I was producing East Midlands Today on that day and I’d like to offer some background information which should give you a fuller picture of our decisions.

In the light of recent deaths, the sole purpose of the interview was to discuss the use of busy main roads for cycling time-trials and every question was asked in that context. Many people have judged the entire interview on one selective clip posted on several internet sites including YouTube.

In that clip our presenter puts forward a common criticism many motorists have of cyclists that since they don't pay "Road Tax" how do they justify using the highway? "Road Tax" was a colloquial reference to Vehicle Excise Duty. With hindsight we accept the question should have been phrased more carefully. It would have been better to ask: "Many motorists will say they're taxed to drive their car and they're not allowed to race on the roads - why should cyclists?"

The interviewee – John Stewart - was given the time to correct the misconceptions about "Road Tax", pointing out that the tax no longer exists, that VED doesn't pay for road maintenance and that cyclists pay all sorts of other taxes.

You may not be aware that this was the second time we’d reported on Karl’s death. On March 6, the lorry driver accused of careless driving appeared pleaded guilty when he appeared before Derby Magistrates. In that night’s programme we carried a report on the case, then followed it with a studio interview about the growing demands for greater safety measures to protect cyclists. I believe this sequence put the issue of cycling safety into context for our viewers. It also painted a picture of Karl as a talented, experienced cyclist who would be deeply missed by his family and friends.

On April 12, we featured a report about the sentence given to the lorry driver who caused Karl’s death. This was followed by an interview with Mr Stewart, who organised and took part in the time trial in which Karl was killed. The reason for looking at this subject was simple: many people are just unaware that time trials can be held on almost any public road. At a time when there are high-profile calls for greater safety for cyclists – as discussed at length in our March 6th programme – the idea of using a dual carriageway for a timed race appears to be contradictory.

I have re-examined all our coverage of this story including the interview with Mr Stewart and I don’t believe it was an aggressive line of questioning. It was certainly challenging but Mr Stewart responded calmly and robustly. I do not agree with those people who have accused us of insulting Karl’s memory. On two separate occasions, our court reporters have carefully explained that Mr Austin loved his sport, was highly-regarded as a competitor and would be missed by his family. We have remained in contact with Mr Austin’s widow and father and I will be talking to them again over the next few days to discuss any concerns they may have had over our latest coverage.

Thank you for contacting us,

Regards,

Kevin Hill

Assistant Editor

In this statement they do acknowledge the question was ill phrased but their rewording is still incorrect. However, to even use the question in such a loaded way was ill advised. It shows to some motorists that it is right to question cyclists for our use of the roads and that we shouldn't be there.

Road Tax does not exist and hasn't done so since it was abolished in 1937. Motorists pay Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) that is calculated on the emissions of their vehicle. Zero emission cars do not pay VED, should they not be allowed on the roads? VED does not give you a right to drive on the roads, it simply gives you a right to drive that particular car. VED does not contribute to the maintenance of the roads. In a British Cycling survey, 87% of their members paid VED on their car. Stick that up your exhaust pipe.