Chris Harris (NSW Greens): Journalist incites aggression towards people riding bikes

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.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.”

“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 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,” Ms Rhiannon said.

Picture: Lee Rhiannon with yesterday’s critical mass annual harbour bridge ride.

Editor’s note: The Telegraph also published the mobile number of one of the critical mass organisers — without permission. SMS messages have been running approximately 2:1 against critical mass.