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news
Charlie Forkner Jaguar (screenshot YouTube)Mechanic "no longer associated" with Jaguar TCS Racing after saying run over cyclists ignoring cycle lanes
The No.1 mechanic of Formula E outfit Jaguar TCS Racing is "no longer associated" with the team after screenshots emerged of a rant posted on social media about cyclists ignoring cycle lanes.
Charlie Forkner's comment, believed to be written in reply to a Thames Valley Police Facebook post about a close pass operation, said cyclists not using cycle lanes should be "ran over [...] dragged onto the path and p*ssed on by everyone!"
Screenshots were soon shared on social media of the rant, which appears to have been deleted, prompting widespread criticism and Jaguar TCS Racing to release a statement saying the mechanic is no longer part of the team.
An interesting comment from a @JaguarRacing employee in response to today's @ThamesVP Operation Close Pass. pic.twitter.com/xrSGfQstMM
— That Bloody Cyclist (@_BloodyCyclist) April 4, 2022
As well as calling for cyclists not using infrastructure to be ran over, the comment from Forkner's account said there is "no excuse" for riding in the road when there are cycle paths.
"If you don't like the fact you have to sometimes stop at path crossings etc. don't take your bike. If your bike isn't capable of going up and down dropped curbs [sic] without damage, you are using the wrong bike," it continued before turning attention to red light jumping.
"I've seen many more bikes going through red lights etc than i have cars. In fact no cars for months possibly years. But I see bikes do it weekly! Not an issue with people riding bikes to work etc. great, good for you. But use a cycle path if one's there. Or if on a dangerous road, and there is a path, just use it as it keeps everyone much safer and less families missing loved ones."
Following the backlash, Jaguar TCS Racing shared a statement saying:
Jaguar TCS Racing is aware of a recent social media post. We take breaches of our social media policy very seriously. We do not tolerate this behaviour in our team. The individual involved is no longer associated with Jaguar TCS Racing. We will not be making any further comment.
As recently as last March, Forkner appeared in a 'Meet The Team' video [screenshots below, video has now been removed] shared with Jaguar's 259,000 YouTube subscribers, in which he talks of his No.1 mechanic role building the team's ABB FIA Formula E World Championship race cars.
The comments were widely criticised with one person tagging the race team's Twitter account (prior to their statement), saying: "@JaguarRacing... you have a responsibility to cut ties with anyone like Charlie Forkner."
Hate speech, inciting violence. I am so sick of reading this stuff and then it popping back into my head when I'm on my bike.
— Sarah Watmore (@SarahsCycling) April 5, 2022
Another added: "Wow this guy really has issues that he needs to deal with. I really do think he needs help. And it would obviously be safer for him and everybody around him if he wasn’t driving or operating in a safety critical industry."
Jaguar had a partnership with Team Sky between 2010 and 2015, providing the team's support cars for three Tour de France victories, including Sir Bradley Wiggins' in 2012. The brand's logo appeared on Team Sky's Rapha kits during 2014 and 2015.
We've had a very good relationship with @JLR_News over the years doing lots of partnership work to prevent #Roaddanger, which is why this is so dissapointing 😒 They have given us use of team cars, trucks and drivers for shows & events, that's @SirWiggo a bike on top 👍 🚴 pic.twitter.com/2F8CwVsAhI
— Mark Hodson (@markandcharlie) April 5, 2022
Dan is the road.cc news editor and joined in 2020 having previously written about nearly every other sport under the sun for the Express, and the weird and wonderful world of non-league football for The Non-League Paper. Dan has been at road.cc for four years and mainly writes news and tech articles as well as the occasional feature. He has hopefully kept you entertained on the live blog too.
Never fast enough to take things on the bike too seriously, when he's not working you'll find him exploring the south of England by two wheels at a leisurely weekend pace, or enjoying his favourite Scottish roads when visiting family. Sometimes he'll even load up the bags and ride up the whole way, he's a bit strange like that.
Latest Comments
- brooksby 12 min 18 sec ago
And presumably you don't have as much media over there stoking the divisions and encouraging the view of cyclists as "other"?
- hawkinspeter 18 min 47 sec ago
Article on the BBC - "thousands" demand halt: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6296300l05o
- Car Delenda Est 19 min 2 sec ago
Simple solution: any vehicle, that hasn't been reported as stolen, being driven by a disqualified driver gets scrapped.
- brooksby 22 min 46 sec ago
I presume that Lime bikes are dockless? So, how would Lime be able to stop someone just leaving the bike anywhere at all?
- wtjs 10 hours 22 min ago
There is an increasing 'disconnect' between comments in this topic and reality. Cords are either all cotton or mostly cotton and are going to last...
- ktache 10 hours 53 min ago
There are people out there who will make you the belt out of your old tyre.
- chrisonabike 10 hours 54 min ago
Furry dice and an air freshener for your helmet.
- Simon E 11 hours 42 min ago
Ah yes, those are hopefully not the 'master craftsmen' that has constructed a wide range of shoddy Italian cars and motorbikes over the years with...
- Simon E 12 hours 4 min ago
A SuperSix is definitely not an all-rounder....
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49 comments
The Rt Hon Nadine Dorries MP is Minister in charge of "The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) helps to drive growth, enrich lives and promote Britain abroad."
Hate crime against an identifiable SPORT in the DIGITAL MEDIA should be her concern, especially given the government initiative for Active Travel.
We can't very well complain if we don't take the opportunity available in the democratic process. Please write to your MP, too..
I've not heard much from Nadine recently but I suspect these are not the crimes she's looking for - no mention of statues being hassled / proud history being dissed...
99% of those who kill and maim on our roads don't have intent to do so - they just don't have any intent to drive safely, which is more than enough to kill or maim someone.
Jaguar have posted a tweet.
https://twitter.com/JaguarRacing/status/1511316934876352514
I twitter so you dont have to....
Silly boy.
If it wasnt for the first paragraph it was a standard anti-cyclist rant of which there are millions on twitter.
Thanks very much for the heads-up, we're updating the story.
No longer associated with Jaguar TCS as he had left beforehand, or because of this post?
I'm going to suggest sacked..... given the fact that Jaguar TCS have removed the Youtube Video that was linked in the article
This won't sit well with JLR.. they are one of the most active travel advocates for their staff. I even believe there's an internal disiplinary procedure for cars seen driving irresponsibly off their lease car staff incentive cars (which are easily identifiable by the number plates). Staff at the Gaydon plant organise a charity sportif. There are showers, a gym on site (with wattbikes) and a ton of cycle facilities. JLR may make massive cars, but they are also big fat friendly cycling employer.
It hasn't.... he has just kissed goodbye to his job by the looks of it.
If there is a direct correlation between his comments and not workking at Jaguar racing, I wonder if he blames himself and his attitude, or cyclists for making a fuss. I wonder if he has vowed to readjust his ways of thinking.
I have to say, I'm not holding much hope for introspection and realigment
I suspect the latter - he'll be down the pub grumbling about how cyclists have no sense of humour etc...
Nah he doesn't have time for going to the pub yet. He is too busy deleting/making private all of his social media & linked-in profiles which are all now dead links.
Yeah, I did have a poke around to see how much grief he was getting on his socials - all gone. Quite a few people were taking their anger out in comments of his "Meet the team" video, so JLR have nuked that too.
I'm sure our sense of humour will improve when cyclists getting injured/killed on our roads becomes a rare event.
Which denies the Engineering Principle of Continuous Improvement, probably something that JLR does care about...
Interesting background, thanks.
Certainly seems to be a thriving cycling culture there, eg:
https://solihullobserver.co.uk/news/jaguar-land-rover-cyclists-lead-the-...
https://teamtalk.jaguarlandrover.com/news/on-your-bike
What a twunt.
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