"What is something annoying that a cyclist might do?" asks Australian game show
'Taking the driving lane', 'cutting you off' and 'everything' - three of the most popular answers given on Australian game show Family Feud
Australian broadcaster Network Ten sparked backlash on Tuesday when its gameshow Family Feud asked contestants to name ‘something annoying that a cyclist might do’.
The show, Australia’s version of Family Fortunes, asked the question to 100 people, with the most popular answers being ‘taking the driving lane’ and ‘cutting you off’ and even ‘everything’.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald response on social media suggested that Channel Ten was encouraging hatred of vulnerable road users.
And Australian Cycle Alliance president, Edward Hore, told the paper the question was a ‘stupid attempt at ratings’.
“Seriously, the hatred against cyclists has to stop. We are all someone's mother, father, brother, sister, son, daughter,” he said. “We all have family and everyone knows a cyclist.”
“We all know that as soon as you bring cyclists into the conversation you're going to get ratings, which is really sad.”
>>> Australian cyclist walks away from a horrific crash (video)
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
The network issued an apology for the offence the question caused, but did not explain why the question was asked in the first place.
“Network Ten apologises if the response to a question in Family Feud last night caused any offence,” a spokesperson said.
“The results are determined by a survey of 100 Australians and we understand they are not necessarily reflective of all Australians.”
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
Parlee Cycles' Ouray reviewed: a bike that goes zoom but doesn’t fit like a race bike and is made in the USA
The first new model since dealing with bankruptcy, the Ouray is a comfortable, big-tyre road bike from the storied American brand
By Tyler Boucher Published
-
Forget distance covered, these are the key stats to note in your Strava Year in Sport
We asked a coach how to best analyse our end of year Strava data
By Tom Davidson Published