Councillor says Birmingham’s Cycle Revolution is “discriminatory” and only benefits “young, white men”

"modest clothing" is presumably a euphemism, but one which is rather blown out of the water by the picture on kcmoon's comment.

In any event, isn't that the point of bikes that have skirt guards and step-through frames? Not every bike is a drop-handled fixie with a top tube that has to be surgically removed, and not every cyclist wears lycra so tight it shows individual pores.

I hate it that being white, middle-aged (-ish), male, and (lower) middle-class, is rapidly becoming synonymous with being eeeevil and racist. And now, being a cyclist as well. Might as well just put me down now...

Well.... she's got a point that cycling in this country IS predominantly the pursuit of "young white men". That is demonstrably true.

But the way you address that is by funding better cycling facilities to help make it accessible to more people.

If the councillor were to cast her eyes to our European neighbours that spend considerably more on cycling than we do, she would see people of all ages, creeds and genders cycling on a daily basis.

She doesn't seem to concerned that driving might be discriminatory.
According to these West Midlands Public Health Observatory figures around 38% of Birmingham household do not have cars, but the council seem happy enough to spend money on roads.

Councillors and MPs are disproportionately middle-class white men, so paying them expenses is clearly discriminatory.

The Tories are a effin joke. Just wait for the Tories & UKIP to form a coalition next year, by 2017 we will have to be licensed, pay for cycle parking and have to be insured.

Scotland please invade and build a wall below Sheffield.

I think some councillors on the lookout for issues they can be seen to be championing- anything with an angle they can play. As long as they can get strident about it it doesn't matter how plain daft it is.

Why so down on Tory councillors? That nice Mr Cameron has lovely hair!

How the hell is cycling a "discriminatory" form of transport? It's a damned sight more egalitarian than motoring.

I'm genuinely puzzled by that.

This is what happens when people are so afraid of discrimination that they lose their ability to make sane judgements.

Can we please stop funding schools. They discriminate against anyone over the age of 16.

"Are you a bit dim and finding you aren't succeeding in many aspects of your life?
Become a local councillor today - yield influence over your community, receive a nice allowance and free ipad and get your name in the papers now and again.
No experience or intelligence required - short hours and minimal commitment in return
APPLY NOW"

“the vast majority of cyclists on our roads are young, white men," - That is a reason for introducing safe cycling infrastructure not against.

Old people shouldn't cycle, now that is prejudiced.

We shouldn't encourage more cycling because white people cycle!!! That is clearly racist.

Better cycling infrastructure = more disabled cyclists.

Completely stupid and prejudiced in just about every way. The conservatives battle against anything environmentally friendly never ceases to amaze me.

I think there's a job for her in Rotherham if she ever gets fed up with Birmingham.

Hmmm, "ethnic women who want to wear modest clothing" and cyclists?

Who does the Daily Heil root for on this one?

If I may be so bold, Ms Aldren, I really don't give a fuck about catering to ENTIRELY self-imposed needs.

(Looking further, I don't think what Ms Alden counts as "modest", is actually any barrier to cycling)

Though I can understand the rest of the logic - cycling is a mode of transport more useful to those who can cover greater distances in a practical amount of time. I don't agree with the conclusion, which is truly "conservative" - as in defeatist and cowardly, but also stands by the true meaning rather than "whatever tory means this week" - but it is a credible argument.

This actually made me laugh because it's so stupid. Skin colour does not affect a person's ability to ride a bike. Age - my aunt and uncle are both in Birmingham, both in their 60s, and they certainly are a lot younger than other cyclists I see. You don't have to wear skin tight lycra, you can wear baggy shorts and a polo shirt. Stupid, stupid woman.

I might have some sympathy for these councillors views if the council spent all its money on cycling and there was no other way of getting around. But that's patently not the case, and some of the other statements are just nonsense. The whole point of this funding is make cycling attractive to people *other* than young, white males.

By this depressing logic, presumably they don't want HS2, since it benefits only rail passengers going to London? Or a health service because it's only for sick people?

Talk about missing the point.

Cycling in modest clothing? I'm not a fan of cycling in anything revealing either, as it's usually uncomfortable. But, if this woman can do it, so can everyone else, in whatever they wish to wear.

And since when are young, white men excluded from society? What a load of PC rubbish.

I would agree that a large percentage are, but on my commute, I see a lot of women, older men (of all races) and young black men. Maybe if the Councillor got off her butt, out of her 'modest' clothes and onto a bike she'd know what the reality is on the streets...

Hmm, I think I can see some of the reasons Birmingham has such low modal share for bicycles.

Hint: It's got to do with Conservative Councillors and their ability to think clearly.