Cycling litterbugs - what is the story here?
I've been watching the Dauphiné on SBS the past few nights and I have to say I'm really disturbed at the way the cyclists just bung their rubbish off into the shrubbery on the side of the road. It's a really bad look IMHO.
Why can't they stuff their rubbish & empty bottles into their jersey and organize a support car with a trash trailer to come by every now & again so they can offload responsibly?
Some appear to throw their rubbish at the spectators, but I'm not sure if it is for amusement or in the hope it will subsequently find its way into a bin.
No wonder so many young people just hurl their McDonalds trash out the car window whilst driving. They probably get the idea from watching professional cyclists.
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Richard on -
Seeing it hasn't been said, I'll do it.
The big tours like the TdF and the Giro, have a crew that follows along behind to clean up. Apparently they do a really good job. I don't know what the story is with other races, but I'm guessing that the organisers are responsible for some sort of clean up.
As for throwing things at spectators - that racing debris is actually highly prized by fanatics as trophies, and not just bidons either, even the humble gel wrapper can find a home. It has been said by some commentators that, as a result, very little is left by the side of the road thanks to the fans alone ... and we all know that Phil Liggett never exagerates.
Soooooo, although it looks like a big deal, it's not so much of one, providing we're talking about professional racing. I have no idea how the local amateur events handle this but they also would have to have some protocol in place or they wouldn't be allowed to come back.
As for the halfwits who imagine they're pros and just throw their rubbish everywhere, either consider others or find some other sport because you're doing neither the countryside nor cycling any favours.
-
Permalink Reply by Terry C on
-
There is no reason for concern about rubbish disposal at this event. The Crit d D is organised and run by the same people who do the TDF. A team does follow behind and picks up ALL the rubbish.
-
Permalink Reply by Fred Rochler on -
O.k. glad to hear it. It was just a bad look, but good luck for the rubbish crews trying to find those bottle in the neck-high shrubbery in the forests bwahahaha...
-
Permalink Reply by Charles on -
So you think that these cyclists disgard their refuse in the same manner when training or in civies. Me thinks this is all a bit new to you Fred.
-
Permalink Reply by Fred Rochler on
-
Howdy Charles,
No, I don't think they do this when training or in civvies - but it is still a bad look and a bad example to young viewers. There's no need for it, they have support vehicles going past all the time. Why can't they chuck their trash into a vehicle etc. or a trailer? Do you really expect me to believe that armies of volunteers scour the countryside after a race picking up all the trash... I don't think so. We are talking about 150+ km per stage in many cases.
This isn't new to me, but I'm astonished that it still goes on in this day & age. Surely there is a better way, or do you believe that hurling your trash in the forest is the best that professional cycling can do with all of their resources & ability? I seriously think this should be looked at & not just dismissed with a 'oh well, that's just the way it is' etc.
-
Permalink Reply by Richard on
-
Funny you say this Fred. I was watching the Tour de Suisse (whateverthenameis) last night and saw someone throw a bottle over the barrier ... next to a slope that was an almost cliff. By the time it hit the bottom, it would have started to degrade and my first thought was "good luck to the rubbish wagon".
-
Permalink Reply by Charles on
-
Perhaps this issue pales into insignificance when our "young viewers" see the dangerous manner in which the support vehicles are driven by race directors and the like. What should happen here Fred?
-
Permalink Reply by Fred Rochler on
-
Charles,
You have a good point, but it doesn't in any way invalidate mine. I'm simply arguing that there should be a better way & would like some serious consideration amongst elite cyclists. It just irritated me because cycling is held up to have a 'green' or 'environmentally friendly' image - so how does the rubbish fit in? It just seems a tad hypocritical...
Of course, if hurling rubbish around the countryside is an integral part of elite cycling then by all means... Peace... :-)
- ‹ Previous
- 1
- 2
- Next ›
© 2013 Created by Gus K.
