This week the guardian blog proclaimed “Cyclists! The public thinks you’re cool and normal”, whilst the Daily Express claimed “Cyclists are social misfits and unhappy”. That these two well known newspapers would come up with these respective titles is not that surprising. But both articles were published on the same day, the plot starts to thicken (or at least curdle). Turns out that both articles were based on a press release by Alan Tapp, of UWE’s Bristol Social Marketing Centre.

Of the 3,855 people questioned, 59% identified David Cameron as a cyclist, 48% for Boris Johnson but only 27% identified Olympic gold medal winner Victoria Pendleton as a cyclist! There is something funny going on there.

50% disagreed with the statement that “Roads are for cars not bikes” (compared to 28% who agreed). Only 50%! Humph.

Hearteningly, there were 2 comments on the Express article both disagreed with the Express’ view:

“What utter drivel. Even a logical approach would suggest a cyclist is not going to be lazy. I was slighly offended by this whole article it seemed incredibly uninformed and inaccurate.”

“I am a regular cyclist and I am a unhappy lazy social misfit… but thats not because I cycle.”

The Guardian has reams of comments, including a response by Alan Tapp and a fair bit of Express bashing.

I am a cyclist, I may be a social misfit but I am usually a pretty happy one and yes, it probably is because I cycle.