He could quite possibly have been trying to be a bit dynamic. Nowadays, TV Chefs seem to be the new rock and roll, he seems quite mediocre by comparison to a lot of them. It must be quite hard for him to stand out amongst his peers...writing a column for a Sunday tabloid, with the Mail's credentials as well. A recipe for disaster. Pardon the pun!

Well, let's see if he shuts up or does it again. Or whether another columnist idiot copies him. Hopefully the scale of the response this time put him in his place.

"It said cyclists are not identified as a vulnerable group under the terms of the code, and the clause about harassment only refers to physical, not written, harassment. Finally, it said Mr Martin had not been formally accused of any crime."

So running a group of cyclists off the road is not physical harassment?

He may not have been accused of any crime but he has admitted to one.

Or is he a pure fantasist discredited by being caught out as a liar?

Your choice James, criminal or fake?

We should all book a place at his cafe, then cancel at the last moment.

This guy is already totally discredited.

His delicatessen has been given a warning bythe health authorities for bad hygiene.

His autobiography had to be pulped by the publishers because of 'inaccuracies'.

The Daily Mail has had to issue a number of apologies as a result of stuff he has written.

He entered a Maserati in the 2008 Mille Miglia and the resulting documentary shown late 2008 certainly made him a firm favourite for 'Upper Class Twit of the Year'. The car failed to make it to the finish mainly due to his bad decision making in preparing the car and to his driving the car very badly.

Do you see a pattern of incompetence emerging?

I would doubt that the incident in the Tesla Roadster ever happened. He probably fabricated it for sensational effect in his article.

He is from Yorkshire - and if I'm not mistaken so is Jeremy Clarkson. I wonder is it something in the water there that prevents males from growing out of puberty?

Please don't insult Yorkshire. There are a lot of cyclists up here, especially Mountain Biker who use the woodland trails.

Although I don't agree with James Martin crashing a group of cyclists (this is ridiculous) because, well does there have to be a reason why?... I do agree with him about certain cyclists.

As a cyclist and a driver, I have seen our irresponsible some cyclists are. Yes, you should cycle but no, you should not cycle over a metre away from the kerb because after all - it is a road.

This simple fact is lost on people. I was driving down a 50 mph road. Yes, a 50mph road and a cyclist all kitted up (you'd think he would be aware of where he was then) was cycling in the middle of the dual carriage way as he positioned himself (yes, positioned himself) before a roundabout as though he was a car to exit on the third right hand exit.

This is not the only incident. I have seen many just hurtle down roads like there is no car in sight. This not only endangers themselves but motorists on roads that have bends and are national speed.

Cyclists, should be far more aware. If I can cycle close to the kerb when cars are coming - so can you. If a car isn't around, make use of the road, but why use up more of the road than is necessary? Why?

This form of arrogance is a death wish and not only antagonises others but I can't seem to see the fun in creating a 1 mile tailback because you want to cycle liberally and hold up traffic.

I am absolutely gubsmacked by the comments from massive truck. I feel that unless you actually use our roads as a CYCLIST including all the potholes, missing manholes, etc etc , you should keep your suggestions to yourself. I tend to agree with joeconway and your above comments seem to prove him to be right.

Massivetruck - whilst I agree with what you are saying in point, I cannot agree with you're view that cyclists should hug the kerb. This just encourages cars to squeeze through a gap that isn't there.

Cyclists are road users, cars are road users; you wouldn't expect a car to pull to the kerb just because it's going ever so slightly slower than you want to be going, you'd wait for a safe place to pass then do so.

As for the roundabout incident, I fully agree with his positioning. I cannot bear to watch cyclists stick to the left hand lane and travel the entire circumference of the roundabout, it is begging for a T-Bone accident.

I do agree however that some cyclists are insensitive to cars and do act in a stubborn and sometimes aggressive manner, but I should imagine the same proportion of car drivers act this way to cyclists.

Anyway, back to the point, James Martin is a right ninnie and I hope he loses a finger in whisk-related accident.

I try not to play with the trolls but I will make an exception in this case...

It is not safe cycling to hug the kerb when you hear traffic coming behind you. This gives motorists an excuse to pretend you're not there which results in them giving the cyclist less room. Also, I read massivetruck's comment on the cyclist at the roundabout as saying that the cyclist was positioning himself as a car would, in the right hand lane to leave the rounabout at the right hand exit. If this is the case then the cyclist is completely correct.

There are bad cyclists out there but taking a strong position on the road and using the lanes correctly is good cycling.

massivetruck seems to be as ill informed as James Martin

The likes of James Martin, the idiot Jeremy Clarkson and, sadly it appears, massivetruck are not entitled to extol their idiotic opinions, as far as I'm concerned. Both Martin and Clarkson simply try to perpetuate themselves by their outlandish, inaccurate and childish ramblings. Unfortunately, too many people give them credence by reading what they say and watching their awful TV programmes.

I thought Keith Floyd summed up some modern TV chefs, and other so-called personalities (?), very well in his recent, last interview (I shan't repeat his comment here); Mr Martin has done nothing to dissuade me from the fact that Keith was correct!!

As for massivetruck, I can think of no explanation for your misjudged thoughts other than to say that if you ride a bike on the road in line with your comments I'd suggest you stick to "the woodland trails".

I think some of you should consider whether you're entering a militant mentality as Cyclists.

Don't forget. A Car is bigger, faster and more deadlier. If you wish to behave with arrogance and egoism on the roads - be it on your head.

I'll stick to common sense.

I rest my case, is this a Yorkshire thing? what common sense man? we are all road users and therefore you need to accept that respect for all road users is necessary for harmony. There is no harmony when Massive truck, Clarckson and that idiot Martin fail to accept Cyclists as fellow road users.

If being frustrated and frightened to death by attitude of certain car drivers leaves some of us with a strong opinion this should not be labeled as militant!!!

I was reading massivetrucks comments thinking I'd been wrong in my positioning at roundabouts...thanks for making me realise I was right everyone else. I switched from the left lane approach at roundabouts to the centre lane when I realised it was actually more dangerous on the left - much more likely to get wiped out. I'm not apologising to car drivers (and I am one as well) for being out on the road and nor do I have a death wish but the roads are there for all of us and I'm not making life more difficult for me so the cars can hurtle past, ignoring my presence. I've just spent a couple of months cycling in the USA and the drivers there are (generally, there are always exceptions) amazingly considerate, including the majority of truck drivers. The drivers there give you loads of space. I feel sorry for any Americans coming and cycling on our roads - they are in for a shock.

massivetruck is ill-informed. Taking control of the space around you is the safest way for a cyclist to navigate a roundabout, or any other junction. This does not mean disregarding the traffic. It means pulling into the correct lane for your exit when it is SAFE to do so.

I just checked the advice on the direct.gov.uk site explaining rules for cyclists from the highway code. There are NO rules or recommendations asking cyclists to stay left, the only indication of any rules for cyclists in this situation is that motorists are warned to look out for cyclists who MAY stay left.

So it seems the choice is based upon the cyclists judgement of what is safe. If massivetruck thinks this is to stay left then so be it, that's his choice. Personally I will safely move into the correct lane with a clear signal to any traffic around me. I will make good eye contact to ensure I have been seen and I will wave courteously to any motorist who is kind enough to wait while I pull into my lane. I will then manage my space around the roundabout to ensure I do not hinder traffic unnecessarily, but that at all times I use my position to enforce any priority I have.

If massivefcukup thinks I should be deferential and tug my forlock at motorists simply because they are in a more powerful vehicle he needs his head seeing to. Go away and read the highway code you imbecile.

James Martin is clearly a cock and a Yorkshireman. Now, despite the user name, I'm from and still spend a lot of time in the Yorkshire Wolds, as both cyclist and driver. It is an area that has a lot of cyclists from Hull and Beverley. In the Wolds there are without question some stupid drivers, but there are also some equally stupid and especially arrogant cyclists that seem intent on provoking locals with a sanctimonious sense of absolute entitlement and utter lack of consideration for others.

While shameful, I’m afraid I can understand why so many locals in the Wolds hate cyclists, which I can assure they do with venom. BOTH cars and bikes have a right to be on the roads, which requires give and take from both parties. Cyclists by no means have a monopoly on either sense or manners.

On related matters anyone who’s ever read the PCC standard would know that this case never stood a chance – notwithstanding that James Martin is an absolute arsehole. Much more likely would be a prosecution if the said cyclists can be found and make a complaint to the police.

It cracks me up that people think when I said "position himself", they think the cyclists positioned himself appropriately.

The cyclists positioned himself and by that, he was bang in the middle of the lane? Is that clear or do you need a concrete arrogance and egoism for Cyclist rights like you think Climate Change gives you an elitist edge and status on the roads?

The responses are laughable on here. Some are clearly stating they'd dice with death to exercise their arrogance and ownership of the road.

Is it too much to ask to be careful? Is it too much to ask to be aware of the roads? Is this just a pathetic position for some cyclists to have so that they can have a surrogate family of cyclists on the internet?

I could say "go ahead, play around the roads" but there's no point in that. Anybody saying they'd do as they wish on the roads is just exercising their rights to talk big because they see internet as a place to inflate their egos after it's been stamped to severe deflation by the world.

Oh and I have read the Highway Code - I am sure reading is soemthing lost when you're desperate to exercise your arrogance on media press releases as you're doing here.

"Much more likely would be a prosecution if the said cyclists can be found and make a complaint to the police."

..except we all know they dont exist because James martin is a silly boy telling silly takes trying to look big.

Lets face it these cyclists are described as lycra louts, so theyre club cyclists out on a run. Anyone 'into' cycling knows this story and is aware that there are lawyers waiting to take this case, but no-ones come forward. He's telling big fibs!

I'm genuinely staggered by "massivetruck"'s comments. That's got to be trolling - he can't seriously believe what he's saying?

If, terrifying as the thought might be, he really does think his idea of cycling is safe and appropriate (and "common sense" - Christ, you couldn't make it up), can I suggest he get's himself a copy of Cyclecraft by John Franklin? And read it quickly before he kills a cyclist in that massive truck of his?

And massivetruck says he's read the Highway Code. Really? What did you think to these paragraphs for cyclists?

"Roundabouts

77 You may feel safer walking your cycle round on the pavement or verge. If you decide to ride round keeping to the left-hand lane you should

- be aware that drivers may not easily see you

- take extra care when cycling across exits. You may need to signal right to show you are not leaving the roundabout

- watch out for vehicles crossing your path to leave or join the roundabout

78 Give plenty of room to long vehicles on the roundabout as they need more space to manoeuvre. Do not ride in the space they need to get round the roundabout. It may be safer to wait until they have cleared the roundabout."

James Martin

It's a sad fact of life that someone who knows nothing about cars and driving is writing car reviews. There are plenty of clues to suggest that the incident didn't take place, or certainly not in the way he wrote it up. Most noise from a modern car comes from road noise, not engine induction and exhaust. An electric car makes the same road noise as any other. What worries me is that Martin's article describes and even glamorises in the national press the lack of driving skill and attitude that many others suffer from. He may not have broken PCC regs but it was still highly irresponsible writing.

massivetruck

His comments clearly show a lack of intelligence, driving skill and attitude. Cyclists should use similar roadcraft to a powered vehicle and this includes being in the correct lane and in the correct position at a roundabout. When at speed, a cyclist needs more roadspace at junctions because their line needs to be similar to that of a motorbike. Both are entitle to and should use a good line and the proper lane at any roundabout or junction, whilst protecting their road space. However, it's quite common for cars to overtake a cycle on approach to a roundabout and then immediately hit the brakes and move back in to the left. This inconsiderate and often dangerous driving is due to the complete lack of one of the most basic driving skills: anticipation. For this reason, when cycling fast, I protect my line on the approach to a roundabout by moving further out. On the other hand, I often pull over to let trucks past when on narrower roads where they can have difficulty overtaking. massivetruck's comments indicate he doesn't have the basic driving skills and attitudes that he should as a (I assume) professional driver. One of the problems is that narrow in-road cycle lanes have led the dim witted to believe that cycles should always be in the gutter. It sounds like massivetruck only sees what is happening right in front of his bonnet. He needs to seek help to improve his driving skills, knowledge and attitude. Fortunately, most truck drivers are highly skilled but this guy is clearly not one of them.

Massivetruck's ill-thought opinion is, I'm afraid, indicitive of the common idea that speed limits are somehow `mandatory' speeds to keep `traffic' (i.e. fast cars in their minds) `flowing' (between congestions of course).

There seems to be a whole established mythology in this country about the legitimacy of (non-existant) `motorists rights' that isn't actually written anywhere except in the heads of a few `leading' petrolheads like Clarkson and lesser minions. Somehow, arrogant motoring became a `norm' to which all others `must' either `respect', aspire to, or adapt to, otherwise you are some sort of `militant' insurgant almost akin to someone planting IEDs on the roads and whose life as the `stupid/enemy' is thus rendered meaningless and worthy of destruction. It doesn't matter if you accede to Massivetrucks desire to move to the side for his convenience because some chav behind him will want you off the road completely and will drive you off accordingly. Never mind the incompetant SMIDSYs.

However, I do see that `norm' as being unstable and, in fact, the vitriol towards cyclists these days is actually representative of a fear of change thats coming in car culture via congestion, the economy, and the fact that more motorists are also becoming cyclists.

massivetruck needs todays Cycling Weekly, it just fell open on a page about commuting on your bike and shows a picture of how to negotiate a truck by avoiding it's blind spots. Nice little picture of bike holding primary at a junction. Translation for massivetruck: primary is when on a cycle or motorbike you move to the centre of your lane to protect your road position from idiots who may otherwise try to come past you on the approach to a junction or other hazard - it's all about thinking for the likes of massivetruck as well as yourself. By the way I always like to point out that I am a car enthusiast as well as a cyclist, I previously owned a race prep workshop building cars for a living, have held a race licence, power boat licence and more. It therefore annoys me even more to see such a poor standard of skill and attitude expressed by the likes of massivetruck.

mapleflot - the problem is that years of the 'speed kills' cult has lead people to believe that if they drive at the speed limit they are safe drivers. Proper driving skills and attitudes are what allow drivers to set a safe speed for the prevailing conditions and exercise good judgement and anticipation. Such safe speed may well be below or above the posted limit, the later is sometimes entirely arbitrary.

Have to add to the disagreements with massivetruck. Keeping to the left lane of a roundabout if you're on a bike taking the third exit is the best way to get left hooked by vehicles going left or straight on. We are road users so adhere to the Highway code and use the same lanes as a car would.