Standard says Sir John Armitt’s comments on cyclists were “Crass”

Following the declaration by Sir John Armitt, TfL board member and chair of National Express, that ‘the biggest danger to cyclists on the roads in London are actually themselves ‘ the London Evening Standard’s editorial on Thursday is blunt “ It is a crass comment, ignoring cyclists’ vulnerability on the roads, though sadly representative of some drivers’ attitudes.”

At the TfL board meeting where Sir John made his comments TfL showed a video illustrating road danger from heavy vehicles and the need for improved Dutch-style provision for cycling. The Standard editorial describes approval by TfL of two new cycle superhighways across the city as ‘”an important step for cycling in the capital” and calls on the Mayor to deliver his ‘Vision for Cycling’ in the capital before the end of his term.

In the course of the TfL board meeting at which Sir John made his “crass” comments fellow board member, and London’s transport commissioner, Sir Peter Hendy observed that a coach had been involved in a collision with a cyclist at Marble Arch – the injuries to the cyclist were not serious. The Standard reports that the coach was operated by National Express.