On Wednesday I discussed Jeremy Vine so I figured I’d test in on what the previous boy’s been as much as, and I used to be by no means shocked to study that he stays aggrieved:
Now I ought to level out that as an American I do know completely nothing about Jeremy Vine’s broadcasting profession; I solely find out about his bicycling exploits. So any feedback I make about him are completely on this context. Additionally, I consider that when bicycling, folks ought to be at liberty to dress themselves any means they select, and I personally veer from “regular” road clothes to full fits of stretchy technical clothes–generally in the identical day! On the identical time, I can’t assist asking…why the hell can’t this man simply costume regular whereas he’s driving round London for chrissakes?
That’s tremendous if you wish to costume like a SCUBA diver who’s gloved as much as administer a prostate examination, however he’s a public determine, and this getup displays poorly on all of us. I understand the helmet cam or no matter he makes use of distorts issues significantly, and perhaps is simply carrying comparatively regular garments and it solely seems to be bizarre due to the gadget he’s utilizing. However both means, whether or not it means tweaking his wardrobe or his lens, if he might current himself much less freakishly and extra proportionately I believe it will go a great distance in direction of incomes each himself and the remainder of us somewhat extra respect.
Superficial issues apart, this time Vine’s downside appears to be the bike lane on the Westminster Bridge, which seems to be the equal of the Brooklyn Bridge bike path in that it’s stuffed with vacationers:
In fact, New York Metropolis truly solved the issue of vacationer/bicyclists conflicts on the Brooklyn Bridge by giving the trail and all its panoramic views utterly over to the vacationers and giving the bicyclists a very separate and non-scenic path on the roadway:
If I sound bitter or cynical about this I’m by no means–this can be a excellent and pragmatic resolution, even when advocates act prefer it’s an unmitigated catastrophe as a result of generally there’s a puddle in it:
Two methods to have a look at this:
1) The town has failed you, bicyclists ought to by no means should encounter water
OR
2) When it rains it will get moist so use fenders
*shrug*https://t.co/rlDNSAysYr
— Bike Snob NYC (@bikesnobnyc) October 17, 2022
However I collect London has not applied an identical resolution and so Mr. Vine should cease repeatedly as he makes his means throughout the span.
To his credit score, he’s very well mannered and thoughtful, not like that COMPLETE ASSHOLE on the Brooklyn Bridge who used to make movies of himself singing loudly and as soon as hit somewhat woman. However to the vacationers’ credit score they’re additionally fairly thoughtful, as a result of they ultimately do transfer, and would you progress for this? I’m undecided that I might:
He seems to be like he’s on his technique to Lugash to steal the Pink Panther:
Unusually, Vine additionally notes that the pedestrians are “principally not from this nation,” which in these overly delicate instances one would possibly try and interpret as some type of xenophobia. I’m not overly delicate, nor do I believe he meant something destructive by it, although I do suppose it’s ironic he feels compelled to level out they’re principally not from this nation when he seems to be like he’s principally not from this planet:
I do nevertheless take concern along with his characterization of 1 vacationer as a “impolite American:”
His crime? Asking, “The place are you from?” and never liking his scorching canine:
Besides within the case of Don Rickles when “The place are you from?” was instantly adopted by a slew of ethnic jokes, asking this query is just well mannered discourse in America. Additionally, “What sort of hotdog is that this?” is a good query, since British delicacies is certainly deeply vexing. I keep in mind the primary time I visited London perhaps 30 years in the past and noticed that they put corn on their pizza. I discovered this stunning–much more so than pineapple, which is a well-liked pizza topping in sure cultural backwaters right here in Canada’s bum bag–and so “What sort of pizza is that this?” would have been a superbly affordable query for me to ask. Because it occurs, I didn’t ask it, however I did order a slice utilizing commonplace New York food-ordering protocol, which is to say: “Lemme get [insert food item here].” (This may occasionally sound brusque, however it’s all within the supply.) To my shock, the individual ready behind me discovered this offensive and lectured me for being impolite. I suppose that is the principle distinction between our two international locations: they suppose it’s impolite to not say “please” and “thanks” gratuitously, and we expect it’s impolite to not thoughts your personal enterprise, although I suppose we take folks minding their very own enterprise as a right over right here as a result of in the event you don’t you stand a fairly good likelihood of being shot.
So lower the American vacationer some slack, is all I’m saying. He’s clearly an enormous doofus, however I don’t suppose he was being impolite.
Additionally he would possibly shoot you.
All of that is to say none of this actually struck me as a “circus” that “defies description,” and my impression didn’t change when the motive force of a Vary Rover truly stops for him:
The concept of a Vary Rover driver stopping for a bicyclist in New York Metropolis is totally unthinkable.
Nonetheless, as Vine ends his journey, he concludes, “This cycle lane scares the residing daylights out of me.”
The sensation is mutual, bizarre Area Man.
You need scary? Ping me when this occurs:
Somebody should have had a foul scorching canine.
