I was recently called a "cycling zealot."
Not because I proposed taking space away from drivers.
Not because I argued for cycle lanes on every road.
Not even because I suggested prioritising cycling over cars.
No—I was called a zealot because I proposed moving cycle lanes away from traffic, making better use of our coastal routes and existing transport network, and focusing on economic benefits rather than just infrastructure for the sake of it.
So let’s be honest: this isn’t really about cycle lanes anymore.
🔹 The "zealot" smear isn’t an accident. It’s a recycled insult, straight out of the Tory Party playbook, lifted from their "Active Travel Taliban" soundbite—designed to turn any discussion about walking and cycling into a culture war punch-up.
🔹 The same people attacking me are the ones who scream about "free speech"—until they don’t like what you’re saying. Instead of engaging with what I’ve actually proposed, they’ve tried to smear me, align me with a politician they despise (Liz Grey), and push an outrage narrative that has nothing to do with solutions.
🔹 This isn’t an attack on cycling—it’s an attack on change itself. The moment you suggest doing things differently, certain people lose their minds, because they see any progress—on cycling, transport, or infrastructure—as a threat to their status quo.
The irony? I’m not anti-car, anti-business, or anti-driver. If they actually read what I’ve proposed, they’d see that. But that’s not the point, is it? The point is to create division, to shut down conversation, and to ensure that nothing changes at all.
The real question is: who benefits from keeping things exactly as they are?
Because it’s not cyclists. It’s not local businesses. And it’s definitely not the people of Wirral.
📢 Want to learn more about the future of cycling in Wirral?
Read our Future of Cycling On Wirral whitepaper at www.inkbyte.co.uk/cycling to explore better alternatives for road safety, infrastructure, and active travel planning.
Comments