A car hiring firm at Heathrow Airport has described cyclists as a hazard in its advice for overseas visitors to the UK, saying that they become most indignant when hit. The firm said the cyclists mostly tend to ignore the traffic lights and one-way streets. This led to the firm facing criticism from the public that made it to issue an apology.
Ned Boulting and other Twitter users who fronted ITV4’s coverage of Tour de France expressed their disbelief at the advice offered by the Car hire firm that, according to the firm, was meant to be light-hearted.
The advice was aimed at foreign visitors hiring cars at the airport that is said to be the busiest in Britain. The update whose headline read as “essential things you need to know” also said the cyclists have been given same rights as any other vehicle despite the fact that they do not pay any taxes.
The website also gave a curious advice about pedestrians. They said that regardless of whether the pedestrian is crossing the road in the right place, hitting them is strictly forbidden. Once you hit a pedestrian even if they are on the road or any other dangerous place is considered dangerous driving with specific laws drafted in the UK to discourage hitting of pedestrians.
The London Cycling campaign that promote safe cycling described the comments made by the firm as very irresponsible and very discouraging to the cyclists and undermining the image abroad of London as a city that promotes cycling and sustainable travel.
The firm has, however, issued an apology on their website which is currently unavailable due to, as they claim, large amounts of traffic received.
After the apology, the website indicates that all offensive remarks have been removed.
