News
Parris apologises for death-to-cyclists comment
Carlton Reid Jan 3 2008, 1:45pm
Times columnist backpedals but his jibe earns him virtual 3rd place in PCC poll
The Press Complaints Commission has received 200+ complaints about a column in The Times by Matthew Parris which was headlined 'What is smug and deserves to be decapitated?'
200+ complaints is high and going on figures for 2007, it would make the Parris column the third most complained about article of 2008, with time yet for more complaints.
Parris had started his article thus: "A festive custom we could do worse than foster would be stringing piano wire across country lanes to decapitate cyclists."
In his latest column, Parris said: "I offended many with my attack on cyclists. It was meant humorously but so many cyclists have taken it seriously that I plainly misjudged. I am sorry."
In an email to BikeBiz executive editor Carlton Reid, the editor of The Times, James Harding, said he was a cyclist and that Parris was "exaggerating for effect."
Harding wrote: "As someone who regularly rides to work and who likes to go on cycling holidays, I shared your alarm, initially fearing that Matthew had it in for me too. But I think it was immediately clear that he was exaggerating for effect.
"While I admire the passion of the cycling lobby and count myself one of their number, I think we do ourselves no favours when we lose our sense of humour and I hope that you, like me, will continue to enjoy Matthew Parris’s excellent writing."
Soon after publication of the article, the internet was ablaze with complaints about the Parris column. There's a round-up of links here.
A "sick" and "hilarious" parody of the Parris piece – using the same text but replacing the word 'cyclist' - can be found here.
In reply to James Harding, the BikeBiz executive editor offered to take Parris on a bike ride:
I don't think anybody was fooled that Matthew Parris was being serious. Cyclists knew he was "exaggerating for effect".
But would the The Times allow an exaggerated comment about throwing a brick from a motorway bridge by a columnist who didn't like cars? Or a comment about putting sleepers on tracks by a columnist who doesn't like trains?
Parris could have made all his points without the threat of murder. One of the key reasons so many folks are upset by The Times allowing the piano wire comment to go forward is the fact this is a real technique used on cycle paths. However, the material usually used is fishing line.
I'm the editor of BikeBiz, the trade magazine, and I've had angry comments from MDs of major bike companies. Nobody can quite believe that The Times allowed the first sentence and provided a headline bigging it up.
And, ironically, as has been pointed out all over the internet and in comments on The Times piece, Parris got the wrong target anyway. Cyclists don't carry bottles of Lucozade, they carry water bottles in water bottle cages. The most likely litterer is, in fact, twentysomethings in muscle cars who don't want to sully their interiors. Such littering is a serious national problem and there's lots of room for many newspaper polemics on the subject but why start such an article with a bloody death threat, in jest or otherwise?
Matthew Parris is normally a fantastic writer but this column showed a serious lack of judgement on his behalf. That the piano wire comment got through the subbing process is also shocking.
Now, in the spirit of reconciliation and to show Mr Parris what a bottle cage is for, I'd like to invite him on a bike ride. He's a fit guy. I believe he runs marathons. If he agrees, I'll arrange a ride along a country lane using a top-of-the-range bike and as much or as little of the Lycra he seems to so deplore. Would you please pass on this invitation? I can arrange a bike and kit anywhere in the UK. I promise not to booby trap the route.
Comments
“FOR SALE NEW 2008 WOMEN SPECIALIZED Ruby Elite”
Posted by: alonsobike - Aug 22, 2:03pm
Dear Customers,
Bike world Ltd is one of the leading bike distributors.We are Legitimate registered Company under licensed number(RC43215).we specialize in all Women bike like, Specialized, Trek, Gary Fisher,Scot bikes,SCOTT Contessa bike.
NEW 2008 WOMEN PECIALIZED Transition Pro is $1,800
NEW 2008 WOMEN SPECIALIZED Era HT Comp is $1100
NEW 2008 WOMEN SPECIALIZED Era FSR Comp $1400
NEW 2008 WOMEN SPECIALIZED Ruby Pro is $1,500
NEW 2008 WOMEN SPECIALIZED Ruby Expert is $1200
NEW 2008 WOMEN SPECIALIZED Ruby Comp is $1000
NEW 2008 WOMEN SPECIALIZED Dolce Comp is $1200
NEW 2008 WOMEN SPECIALIZED Ruby Elite is $900
NEW 2007 WOMEN SPECIALIZED Ruby Comp is $500
NEW 2008 WOMEN SPECIALIZED Dolce Elite is $450
NEW 2008 WOMEN SPECIALIZED Dolce is $500
NEW 2008 WOMEN SPECIALIZED P All Mountain is $600
NEW 2008 WOMEN SPECIALIZED P2 $700
NEW 2008 WOMEN SPECIALIZED Safire FSR Expert is $1600
NEW 2008 WOMEN SCOTT Contessa Speedster is $400
NEW 2008 WOMEN SCOTT Contessa Plasma is $1,700
NEW 2008 WOMEN SCOTT Contessa CR1 Pro CD (Ultegra) is $1200
NEW 2008 WOMEN SCOTT Voltage Yz Limited is $1,200
NEW 2008 WOMEN SCOTT Voltage Yz Limited is $1,200
NEW 2008 WOMEN SCOTT Voltage YZ 0 is $666
NEW 2008 WOMEN SCOTT Contessa FX-15 $1400
NEW 2008 WOWMEN SCOTT CR1 Plasma LTD 20-Spd is $2700
NEW 2008 WOMEN SCOTT CR1 Plasma Pro 20-Spd is $1900
NEW 2008 WOMEN TREK 3500 WSD $400
NEW 2008 WOMEN TREK 3700 WSD $450
NEW 2008 WOMEN TREK 3900 WSD $440
NEW 2008 WOMEN TREK 4300 WSD $400
NEW 2008 CANNONDALE F2 Feminine $480
NEW 2008 WOMEN CANNONDALE Caffine F1 Feminine is $800
NEW 2009 WOMEN MARIN Pioneer Trail (Womens) $500
NEW 2009 WOMEN MARIN Coast Trail (Womens) $550
NEW 2009 WOMEN MARIN Bear Valley (Womens) $600
NEW 2009 WOMEN MARIN Juniper Trail $650
NEW 2008 WOMEN MARIN Coast Trail is $ 430
NEW 2008 WOMEN MARIN Wildcat Trail is $900
NEW 2008 WOMEN MARIN Alpine Trail $980
NEW 2008 WOMEN GARY FISHER HiFi Deluxe GS is $1200
NEW 2008 WOMEN TREK Fuel EX 5.5 WSD is $860
NEW 2008 WOMEN TREK 3500 WSD $400
NEW 2008 WOMEN TREK 3700 WSD $450
NEW 2008 WOMEN TREK 3900 WSD $440
NEW 2008 WOMEN TREK 4300 WSD $400
CONTACT EMAI:
Email:mountainworld@live.com
mountainbike@operamail.com
“FOR SALE:NEW 2008 Kona Dawg Primo Mountain Bike $1,200”
Posted by: Sale company - Dec 17, 11:36am
Bike world Ltd is one of the Best Selling Bike
Distributor.We are Legitimate registered Company under licensed
number(RC55724).We ship via UPS, and your ordered items will get to
your door step within 48 hrs(Two Working Day).We sell all kinds
Cannondale, Cervelo, Ellsworth, Giant, Jamis, Klein, Kona, Litespeed, Rocky
Mountain, Santa Cruz, Specialized, Trek, Gary Fisher bikes.
sale.manager@live.com
sale.cashier@gmail.com
sale.manager@consultant.com
Here are some of our best offers:
NEW 2008 Kona Dawg Primo Mountain Bike $1,200
NEW 2008 Kona Kula Supreme Mountain Bike $1,900
NEW 2008 Kona Stinky Mountain Bike $1,000
NEW 2008 Kona Kula Lisa Mountain Bike $1,000
NEW 2008 Kona Four Lisa Mountain Bike
$1000
NEW 2008 Kona Blast Deluxe - Gold - SRP $900
NEW 2007 Kona Dawg Primo Mountain Bike $1,200
NEW 2007 Kona Kula Supreme
Mountain Bike $1,900
NEW 2007 Kona Stinky Mountain Bike $1,100
NEW 2008 Kona Blast Deluxe - Gold - SRP $900
NEW 2008 CANNONDALE Rush Carbon 4 Bike $1,700
NEW 2008 CANNONDALE Rush 6 Bike $1,400
NEW 2008 CANNONDALE Caffine F1 Feminine Bike $1000
NEW 2007 Cannondale Road Tandem Bike $1,200
NEW 2007 Cannondale F4000 SL Mountain Bike $2,400
NEW 2007 Cannondale Gemini 900 Mountain Bike $1,200
NEW 2007 Cannondale Mountain Tandem Bike $1,200
NEW 2007 Cannondale Prophet 4000 Mountain Bike $2,600
NEW 2007 Cannondale R1000 Road Bike $1,000
NEW 2007 Cannondale Scalpel 3000 Mountain Bike $2,600
NEW 2007 Cannondale Six13 Team 1 Dura Ace Road Bike $2,400
NEW 2008 CANNONDALE Moto 3 Carbon Bike $2,100
NEW 2007 Cervelo
Soloist Carbon Road Bike
$2,300
NEW 2007 Cervelo P3 Carbon Road Bike $2,300
NEW 2007 Cervelo Soloist Team Road Bike $1,100
NEW 2007 Ellsworth Epiphany
Mountain Bike $2,500
NEW 2007 Ellsworth Moment Mountain Bike $2,600
NEW 2007 Ellsworth Truth Mountain Bike $2,200
NEW 2008 TREK Fuel EX 9 Bike $1,800
NEW 2008 TREK Fuel EX 8 Bike $1,500
NEW 2008 TREK Fuel EX 7 Bike $1,450
NEW 2008 TREK Fuel EX 5.5 WSD Bike $1,100
NEW 2008 TREK Fuel EX 6.5 Bike $1,200
NEW 2008 TREK Fuel EX 5.5 Bike $1,150
NEW 2008 TREK Fuel EX 8 WSD Bike $1,500
NEW TREK 6700 WSD 2008 Bike $1,100
NEW TREK 6500 WSD 2008 Bike $1,000
NEW 2007 Trek 5000 Road Bike $1,100
NEW 2007 Trek Pilot SL 5.9 Road Bike $1,900
NEW 2007 Trek Tandem T 2000 Road Bike $1,500
NEW 2007 Trek Madone SSL 6.9 Road Bike
$2,900
NEW 2007 Trek Top Fuel SL Mountain
Bike $2,900
NEW 2008 Trek 10 Session Bike $2,500
NEW 2008 TREK Fuel EX 9.0 Bike $2,300
NEW 2008
TREK Session 10 Bike $2,500
NEW 2008 TREK Fuel EX 9.5 Bike $3000
NEW 2007 Specialized Epic Comp Mountain Bike $1,200
NEW 2007 Specialized Stumpjumper Comp Mountain Bike $1,000
NEW 2007 Specialized Epic Marathon Mountain Bike $1,400
NEW 2007 Specialized Roubaix Pro Road Bike $1,500
NEW 2007 Specialized Ruby Pro Road Bike $1,450
NEW 2007 Specialized Tarmac Pro Double Road Bike $1,700
NEW 2007 Specialized Transition Pro Road Bike $1,800
NEW 2007 Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper Fsr Carbon Bike $2,200
NEW 2007 Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL Sram Road Bike $2,300
NEW 2007 Specialized S-Works Roubaix Dura Ace Road Bike $2,400
NEW 2007 Specialized Demo 8 Mountain Bike $2,000
NEW 2007 Specialized Enduro SL Pro Carbon Mountain Bike
$2,200
NEW 2008 GARY FISHER HiFi Pro Carbon Bike $3000
NEW 2008 GARY FISHER HiFi Carbon Bike $ 2,100
NEW 2008 GARY FISHER HiFi Pro Bike $1,800
NEW 2008 GARY FISHER Supercaliber Bike $1,550
NEW 2008 GARY FISHER HiFi Deluxe Bike $1,600
NEW 2008 GARY FISHER HiFi Plus Bike $1,200
NEW 2008 GARY FISHER HiFi Deluxe GS Bike $1,500
NEW 2007 Gary Fisher Cake 1 DLX Mountain Bike $1,500
NEW 2007 Giant Anthem 1 Mountain Bike $1,200
NEW 2007 Giant Reign X0 Mountain Bike $1,800
NEW 2007 Giant Tcr Composite 1 Road Bike $1,500
NEW 2007 Giant Trance 1 Mountain Bike $1,200
NEW 2007 Jamis Dakar XC Pro Mountain Bike $1,900
NEW 2007 Klein Q-Pro XV Road Bike $1,300
NEW 2007 Litespeed Bella Road Bike $1,200
NEW 2007 Litespeed Tuscany Road Bike $1,800
NEW 2007 Litespeed Ghisallo Road Bike $2,600
NEW 2007 Litespeed Niota Ti Mountain Bike $2,800
NEW 2007 Rocky
Mountain Slayer 70 Mountain Bike $1,700
NEW 2007 Rocky Mountain Element Team Mountain Bike $2,000
NEW 2007 Santa Cruz Blur LT Mountain Bike $2,400
NEW 2007 Santa Cruz Nomad
Mountain Bike $2,000
NEW 2007 Santa Cruz V 10 Mountain Bike $2,400..
NEW 2008 MARIN Juinper Trail Bike $900
NEW 2008 MARIN Wildcat Trail Bike $1,200
NEW 2008 MARIN Alpine Trail Bike $1,300
NEW 2008 MARIN East Peak Bikw $1,550
NEW 2008 MARIN Rock Springs Bike $1,300
NEW 2008 MARIN Rift Zone Bike $1,400
NEW 2008 MARIN Rift Zone SE Bike $ 1,300
NEW 2008 MARIN Wolf Ridge Bike $1,600
NEW 2008 MARIN Mount Vision Bike $1,800
NEW 2008 MARIN Attack Trail Bike $1,810
NEW 2008 MARIN Mount Vision Pro Bike $2,600
NEW 2008 WHYTE E-5 XT Bike $2000
NEW 2008 WHYTE E-5 Works Bike $2,400
NEW 2008 WHYTE E-120 XT Bike $2,500
NEW 2008 WHYTE E-120 Trail Bike $3000
NEW 2008 WHYTE E-120 Team Bike
$3,100
and many many ... models available at this special price.
If you are interested please reply Us via mail.
Contact:
sale.manager@live.com
sale.cashier@gmail.com
sale.manager@consultant.com