And this is a big, big problem
5 reasons why you should care about the lack of BME cyclists in London
Earlier this week, Will Norman, London’s walking and cycling commissioner, said something that shouldn’t be at all controversial – and that, in truth, isn’t even very original.
According to Norman, London’s cyclists are too white, male and middle-aged. This is backed up by evidence. While 41 per cent of London’s population is black or from an ethnic minority, only 15 per cent of cyclists are, according to Transport for London figures. Moreover, only 27 per cent of London’s cyclists are women.
Norman went on to say that for cycling to be considered a success in the capital, it must be taken up by a more diverse population, which, coincidentally, I also said last month in the New Statesman.Â
BME is “Black and minority ethnic”.
To the online mob, this is just another case of the liberal elite seeing racism in everything (WT-it is). Cyclist critics of Norman have argued that if more money is spent on cycling infrastructure, it will lead to a more diverse population of cyclists. Others acknowledge the problem, but say it is low on the priority list.
Here’s why they are wrong:
You’re welcome to read it, but, really, what are they going to do: force BME’s to ride bikes? Restrict white, middle age males (WMAM) from doing so? OK, so one of their plans is to spend more public money through the Walking And Cycling Commission (think on paying people for this job) on letting BMEs know about the bikes. As if they don’t already. Has it occorred to any of these Liberal World weenies that perhaps they don’t want to bike? What then? Will they force compliance? Again, tell the WMAM’s that only some may use the bikes?
And, yes, they are seeing raaaaacism where it doesn’t exist. Were the BME’s complain? Or just eh White Liberal Elites who would not dare use a bike?
As most of the stores I use are within cycling distance, I cycle a lot and used to cycle to work.
There is some truth to the idea that there are issues with women cycling as 1) they face harassment from males and 2) riding a bike in slacks is not the same thing as riding in a skirt.
However, I meet cyclists of all ethnicities in my daily travels. Only a few don’t acknowledge a wave, a smile, or even a comment as we pass. Cyclists are, by nature, a tribe who protects their own and are very inclusive.
If people are a minority and don’t ride in London, that is on them and has nothing to do with race.
Finally, one wonders about the accuracy of the “facts” presented in the original article as it concludes with:
Oy vey.
Not necessarily. That belief is common for those blessed with white privilege. Put yourself in the position of a minority individual.
Women and ethnic minorities fear harassment more than whites, and research backs up that they are more likely to be injured while cycling. Although C6s (cloistered, conservative, college-averse, Caucasian, Christian cocks) may be correct that they are genetically superior to minorities, there’s no good evidence to support that. Predictably, it’s C6s most likely to harass.
“It’s the fault of minorities that they are harassed by white men.”
All C6s have is ignorance. And projection.
That’s the thing Jeffery. You want to see race in everything. As a rider and as former racer, all that mattered was being a rider.
LAW disputes this Jeffery. In other words, your “research” is a lie to further the hatred you have.
You are the type of racist who would drive minorities away from a group of people that don’t care about race.
That is your projection of hate and fear because all you and your liberal friends have is hate.
All the right has is projection.
All you have to do is leave your blocks unlocked.
Soon, more black cyclists.
Apparently personal choice has disparate results.
Is there a government policy which causes “BMEs” to choose to bicycle less frequently?
And here I thought too many of London’s residents are Muslims…
I was looking at fly-fishing lodges in Scotland. There do not appear to be any BME’s participating in their activities. For fly-fishing to be considered a success, they must add more infrastructure to enable BME’s to use this leisure activity. By adding free transportation from the inner-city, government fly-casting schools, free food and liquor, subsidized $1000 per night room, building sidewalks along the creeks and docks over the water for BME’s who don’t typically own waders and aren’t used to the softer terrains, installing hip-hop and rap artists at the evening fireside gatherings, muslim prayer rugs and quran’s, placement of a mosque in a local chapel, more BME’s will come to diversify this white-male dominated leisure activity. Then we’ll go to work on gamebird hunting and deer stalking and falconry
https://www.luxuryscotland.co.uk/fishingarticle/index.html
Typical J double-talk. “the belief is common with those blessed with white privilege.†Then, after apparently smoking something, “there’s no good evidence to support that†(that they are genetically superior to minorities).