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Mexican radio commentator in trouble for urging motorists to "flatten" the "plague" of cyclists +audioAngel Verdugo grab.png

Mexican radio commentator in trouble for urging motorists to "flatten" the "plague" of cyclists +audio

"Cyclists are savages and the rule of 'spare the rod spoil the child' must be applied"...
by Tony Farrelly
Thu, Aug 25, 2011 22:49
9

Mexican radio commentator Angel Verdugo talked himself in to trouble on Tuesday by calling on Mexico City's motorists to rid the city of cyclists who he described as a "plague" by "flattening" them "…and not giving them any chance, to see if they'll understand".

According to Fox News Latino Verdugo who is an economics analyst for the 98.5 Reporte radio station, was particularly incenced by users of Mexico City's Ecobici bike sharing scheme, launched last year and which already has 10,000 users per day and iwith a target of 65,000 next year. Verdugo told his listeners "they think that they are French and that they are in Paris", but he said they had forgotten that "they're Mexicans with all that that implies".

The implication for Verdugo was an indefinite suspension from his job offering "well-grounded analysis "but in simple terms that allow (listeners) to understand economic issues," although the radio station did allow him to go back on air to make a live aplogy.

 

His remarks, (listen to the audio and even if you don't speak Spanish you'll understand that this was no tub thumping rant) also brought a swift rebuke from the Mexico City Administration in the shape of Federal District Environment Secretary Martha Delgado. Ms Delgado denounced Verdugo's remarks as "backward" and "an affront to the cycling community and the citizens of Mexico City", adding that "bicycle use is a sign of society's development".

And what tipped Angel Verdugo over the edge? Two cyclists "arrogantly" flouting traffic rules had almost run in to his "modest Peugot 206" last weekend.

Verdugo is not the first talk show commentator to get in to trouble for urging motorists to run over cyclists. Last year the American talk radio host Tony Kornheiser got himself in hot water with US cycling groups when he said motorists in Washington DC should run down cyclists in an on-air rant about a new cycle lane in the city.

Tony Kornheiser
Reporte 98.5
Mexico
bicycle lanes for Mexico
Angel Verdugo
Tony Farrelly

road.cc's founder and first editor, nowadays to be found riding a spreadsheet. Tony's journey in cycling media started in 1997 as production editor and then deputy editor of Total Bike, acting editor of Total Mountain Bike and then seven years as editor of Cycling Plus. He launched his first cycling website - the Cycling Plus Forum at the turn of the century. In 2006 he left C+ to head up the launch team for Bike Radar which he edited until 2008, when he co-launched the multi-award winning road.cc - finally handing on the reins in 2021 to Jack Sexty. His favourite ride is his ‘commute’ - which he does most days inc weekends and he’s been cycle-commuting since 1994. His favourite bikes are titanium and have disc brakes, though he'd like to own a carbon bike one day.

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9 comments

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Argy | 13 years ago
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Hi All, if any of you want to make a comment, this is the link to the radio station comment section!

http://www.reporte.com.mx/foro/opinion.php

Thanks 4 get involved people!

Avatar
Argy | 13 years ago
0 likes

Que boludo! (as they say in Argentina)...I have Argentinian roots and understand the thinking behind his comments, it's unfortunate to say that in South America/Central America there is close to zero respect for cyclists or any other road users for that matter from motorists.... I have travelled South America extensively and car drivers are generally very bad drivers and generally have total disregard for road law/rules. Put it this way, in Argentina they have to advertise for motor cyclists to put helmets on! ... no brainer if you ask me!... you will literally see motorcyclists with helmets on their arms and stuff!

In any case, this geeza should be sacked! Es un pelotudo, cabron y hijo de remil puta! 14

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Simon E | 13 years ago
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If we line up all the errant cyclists and all the errant drivers there will be more of the latter, and they will have caused more damage, death and suffering than the cyclists could muster in a hundred years.

It's the voice of fear - fear of change, but the change is coming.

//jimsbikeblog.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/pedal-power.jpg?w=150&h=150)

And +1 to handlebarcam's comments.

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road slapper | 13 years ago
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I think the bus drivers of Bath must have listened to Mr Verdugo's 'rant'.... 2

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t1mmyb replied to road slapper | 13 years ago
0 likes

Not just me that's been driven *at* by a First driver then? 14

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KirinChris | 13 years ago
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Maybe he was just sucking up to Clarkson. 39

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handlebarcam | 13 years ago
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The sign of the degree of civilisation of a society is not whether or not there are a few reactionary nuts with access to a microphone, but the response by those in authority when they spout off. By that measure, Mexico must be more civilised than Britain, because Jeremy Clarkson, Matthew Parris, James Martin et al get away with espousing the same viewpoint, and are not fired, and not censured. The reason: although as many people complain, there is (or there is thought to be) a mass of people out there who agree with those views, because the motorcar has been ingrained in our society for decades longer than in Mexico. No wonder Clarkson hates the Mexicans.

Avatar
Chris | 13 years ago
0 likes

Que Pendejo!
If he's supposed to be an economics analyst he should have known all about the London School of Economics recent report about cycling being good for the economy, as reported here on this very forum! http://bit.ly/mPUDRg
Doesn't he read road.cc?

Avatar
LondonCalling | 13 years ago
0 likes

I speak and understand Spanish and this guy sent shivers down my spine. He should not be suspended, but sacked and then arrested by the authorities. But really doubt that will happen, unfortunately. What a scumbag.

Shame those cartel boys in Juarez don't ride bicycles.....

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