One of the reasons that Martin was able to so effectively frighten the cyclists was that vehicles operating on electric power are extremely quiet. I believe Martin was hinting at this within his article (”Knowing they wouldn’t hear me coming”) and that quietness, while somewhat desirable, does pose a safety hazard, especially to the blind and to cyclists who use the sound of an oncoming vehicle to take precautions.

I believe that hybrid car companies are looking in to methods to develop a distinctive, audible but minimally invasive sound that would be emitted when operating on electric power and the same would be needed for the Tesla.

I personally was almost hit by a Prius that was pulling out of an alley and that I was unable to see or hear until it pulled onto the street. Not sure if you can follow up with Rachel on this point but I think it is a part of the Martin incident that is specific to the Tesla (no other vehicle would be as quiet at high speeds).

Thanks.

I also drive an EV as my daily driver. Cyclists should not take this moron’s ranting as any reason not to like EVs since EVs are going to be cyclists’ friends. As a bike rider myself, I hate to breathe the crap from tailpipes when I have to share the road with cars. Once all those cars are running on electricity, we’ll never have to breathe that stuff again.

If you’re interested in EVs, go to http://www.pluginamerica.org for more info.

On a personal level, I could care less about James Martin – especially since I saw his attitude in the Mille Miglia special aired on UK television. He’s just another idiot to add to the list of people I ignore!

I disagree strongly with what he has written, and I am sure that what goes around comes around … but I find it a little distasteful that people are actually threatening violence and bodily harm to the man! Don’t stoop to the level of unthinking thugs, please??

Perhaps he needs to get on a bike himself? I was always careful driving my car near cyclists, but having taken up a bit of cycling over the last couple of months, I have realised how vulnerable a bag of flesh and bones on some metal pipework is! I am now extra extra careful and considerate towards cyclists.

Barry – if it were the actions of the few it would be fine. Clearly you don’t see it from a regular UK cyclists point of view. I commute 20 miles a day by bike and/or car depending on where I’m going and the weather, so I see both sides, but it’s pretty much once or twice *per journey* someone purposefully tries to push you off the road (and I’m not just talking accidentally/didn’t see you there etc). I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve had abuse yelled at me, things thrown at me etc and I’m not a lycra wearing, red light jumping type either. It’s almost a sport for the idiots here.

Although I ride a pedal-powered two-wheeled contraption, I don’t drink herbal tea, I *really* dislike New Labour (including Ms Harman) and I even drive a car, albeit considerately. I also avoid using the term ‘hate’ or feel the need to blame other road users for my own shortcomings. If you substitute ‘cyclists’ for another group – schoolkids, doctors, parents, muslims – it might appear less innocuous.