It felt futile anyway. Striding over forty yards of rough ground to unwrap the streamer of plastic that had been annoying me every walk this week. After all there are more strong winds forecast in the next day or two and experience says that more litter pollution will be offending my eye following the gales.But I'm of a generation that gets upset by litter. I suspect younger people don't bother so much; they've grown up with it always being around. Perhaps some of them even feel unsettled when there's none to be seen, in the same way that the apologists for piped music tell us many people can't stand quiet.
I've never seen so much litter on Blacka. Much of it is plastic bags but an increasing amount is drinks bottles and cans. Cyclists are definitely the culprits here. It seems to go with the gear and all the trappings for some cyclists. And of course the faster you progress through the landscape the less it matters to you what it looks like.
7 comments:
Dear Sir,
In reference to the above, you clearly state, imply and suggest that debris is "an increasing amount is drinks bottles and cans. Cyclists are definitely the culprits here. What preposterous tosh!
While I echo your view on limiting cycle traffic on footpaths, and agree with some of your other comments. Your blatant ignorance and, if I may, supposed lack of thought and blinkered view does nothing to aide your argument.
I, as a keen cyclist both on and off road would dearly love to preserve our woodland and not let it fall into ruin by careless disregard for surroundings.
However, I feel you really should open your eyes a little and look beyond belligerence of all things mountain bike.
Please do feel free to get in touch; Jonathan@intelligent-technology.co.uk should you wish. May I also take this opportunity for you to join in further discussion with other groups who also want the same outcome as you - to keep and maintain Blacka Moor and surrounding area's clean, tidy and available to all people.
Jonathan.
I've never seen so much litter on Blacka. Much of it is plastic bags but an increasing amount is drinks bottles and cans. Cyclists are definitely the culprits here.
Sorry, I sympathise with much you say but this is simply untrue. Cyclists use reusable bottles or hydrations packs that are also reused. Few, if any, carry bottles and cans so the culprits are more likely to be walkers (or, daytrippers who happen to walk).
Cyclists are a mixed numch. Most that I know cycle to get into the countryside and to enjoy it *for* the experience of the countryside in its fullness. Others will miss out on that for teh 'sport' just as I've seen hillwalkers oblivious to their surroundings in Scotland as they grimace their way up another Munro that they hope to 'bag'.
I agree about erosion but horses are worse culprits on soft ground. Many cyclists attempt to take the most used route in order to avoid path-widening detours around muudy/wet sections. During my youth I saw walkers progressively destroy popular routes in the Cheviots as they walked round boggy areas which resulted in road width 'paths'. Lack of foresight and sense of responsibility is not dependent upon one's manner of mobility. (With the possibile exception of off road motorcyclists!)
re: drinks cans and bottles
Cyclists are the culprits? Really? A good 90% of the people I ride with use hydration packs. That is a back pack with an internal bladder for liquids.
Why would cyclists be to blame for this? Surely walkers are just as likely as they have the time to stop and polute as they pass.
Yes, cyclists always use cans........Numpty
I see, litter is only caused by cyclists? Do you really have such a narrow view of the world and the people in it? I've seen COUNTLESS amounts of litter on walker-only routes in the UK, and I've WATCHED walkers drop litter. To assume that one group is the primary cause is quite frankly idiotic, and I find you suggestion that as a cyclist I'm part of the cause of the litter unacceptable.
If you people think I'm saying cyclists are responsible for all the litter, I've either not made myself clear or you've not read properly. But you are easily upset.
Anyway, I've no doubt that in the specific case I refer to the drinks containers were left by those going through on bikes. That is not the same as saying that every cyclist leaves litter. But it is at least arguable that the more cycling there is then the more litter we will see. But I'm glad you're indignant about it. It shows you care.
There are paths I know which remain quiet and unused for days on end. If you know them well you can tell when somebody has been there. In the case I'm referring to I found the path scored with bike tracks one morning - never been any there before. At the side of the path - recently discarded drinks bottles. Circumstantial but pretty damning. When you've seen this several times you start to draw conclusions.
Other people make a mess too. I've never suggested otherwise. But you can't be surprised that conclusions are drawn. Some things just add up. They shouldn't be there anyway, they are probably young males with an attitude of 'nobody's going to tell me what I can and can't do'.
But David the point here is that if you only ever pass through quickly you're less likely to have the same respect for the place as somebody who walks there several times a week. You can see this in certain motorists who care little about the area they drive through and the people who live there.
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