When The Late Late show decided to “bin arrogant cyclists” the complaints flowed in. But now the show has been cleared of the allegation it incited the hatred of cyclists.

Late Late Show cleared of inciting hatred of cyclists

Complaints alleging an RTE broadcast amounted to incitement to hate cyclists have been rejected by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI).

There were seven complaints in total about the broadcast on the Late Late Show back in January and all of them have been rejected.

The Dublin Cycling Campaign was vocal in its criticism of RTE at the time. And it was one of the complainants to the BAI.

It complained that sections of the broadcast amounted to inciting prejudice of hatred towards cyclists. The group took issue with the suggestion cyclists deliberately blocked vehicles behind them and about comparing cyclists to farm animals.

Dublin Cycling Campaign also set out other grounds for complaining, including:

• A story from one of the panellists inferring that people cycling without children are less deserving of space and respect.
• Presenter Ryan Tubridy posing a question that implied cycling two abreast is not allowed or is illegal.
• The symbolic act of throwing a cycling helmet into a rubbish bin.

The BAI set out RTE’s response to the campaign group’s complaint in the following way.

RTE response to complaint

"The broadcaster states that this was a comedic and light-hearted segment in which guests were asked to nominate their ‘pet hates’ and this editorial context was made clear to the audience.

"One of the panellists wished to put “arrogant cyclists” into the bin and her primary concern was “three or four cyclists abreast on a country road”.

"The broadcaster is of the view that the main editorial goal was to amuse the audience, partly through comic exaggeration."

Just some casual cyclist hatred on tonight's @RTELateLateShow. #latelate #bikelash pic.twitter.com/XpWayslrg4

— Dublin Cycling (@dublincycling) January 12, 2018

BAI’s summary of the RTE response continued: “And the segment was not a serious discussion on road use or traffic safety nor was it meant to reflect a position of the broadcaster or the show on the issue of cycling safety in general.

Related News

Lara Gillespie attacks Dolomite stage as Giro hits high mountains

Video - Ireland's Meehan climbs with best on brutal Alpine terrain

“The broadcaster noted that the comparison of cyclists with farm animals was in the context of cyclists three or four abreast blocking the roads.

“(RTE) regrets the presenter’s error in referring to cyclists two abreast and acknowledges that this practice is not illegal.

“(It) refutes the claim made in the complaint that one of the panellists inferred that cyclists should not be treated with consideration.

“The broadcaster maintains that none of the panellists condemned all cyclists nor was there any encouragement to cause harm to cyclists.

“The broadcaster is also of the view that the cycling helmet, which was put into the “bin”, represented “arrogant” cyclists who cycle in an illegal manner and did not represent all cyclists.”

What was said at the time

During the item RTE presenter Maura Derrane and social media personality James Kavanagh generated a lot of criticism for their comments on cyclists.

The pair were appearing on an item during which guests were asked what they wanted to “bin” in 2018.

Derrane said she liked cycling but was “really bothered” by cyclists riding three or four abreast.

However, having made that point Kavanagh joined the conversation and he and Derrane made comments are were pretty extraordinary.

Derrane said she was particularly annoyed when cyclists blocked cars by the way they were riding on country roads.

“Really there’s no need because; are you in competition with a car? You’re never going to be faster. And (cyclists do it) almost to piss people off; I know that.”

Kavanagh then took it up: “They’re like the farm animals,” he said cyclists riding several abreast.

“Sheep or cows or whatever; they don’t move. Cyclists are like that as well.”

Derrane then told Kavanagh to hush and said she believed cyclists riding in the way she described did so because of arrogance.

She then said she didn’t want to throw cyclists in the bin. Rather, “arrogant cyclists” should go in the bin for 2018.

Author Eoin Colfer chipped in and said some cyclists were using “fake baby carriers” in order that cyclists would give them more room.

Host Ryan Tubridy asked the audience what they thought and they voted overwhelmingly in agreement with Derrane to bin arrogant cyclists in 2018.

Cycling Ireland said the item represented “casual incitement of hatred” towards cyclists. Dublin Cycling Campaign described the segment as “casual cyclist hatred”.