Motorcyclists are ‘pathetic’ with ‘immature obsession with speed’

Daily Mirror columnist Paul Routledge has sparked controversy by calling motorcyclists “pathetic” with an “immature obsession with speed.”

Routledge said it is, “time for old bikers to hang up their leathers,” instructing them to “grow up and realise that the roar of a 600cc bike is the whisper of death,” when complaining over the number of bikers who took advantage of the fantastic weather a couple of weeks ago.

He claims that riding bikes is “pathetic” and “lethal”, advising motorcyclists to, “Think about other people,” instead of their, “immature obsession with speed.”

Below is his full column.

Time for old bikers to hang up their leathers

The hot weather last weekend brought out the motorbiking fraternity. Three died in North Yorks and one in South Yorks.

That’s just the ones I know about from my local paper. There will have been many more round the country.

Far too many bikers are middle-aged (and older) men pretending they are cool kids.

It would be pathetic if it weren’t so lethal – not just for themselves but for the public. Why don’t they just grow up and realise that the roar of a 600cc bike is the whisper of death?

Posters on lampposts urge motorists to “Think Bike!”

Bikers would be better advised: “Think about other people, instead of your immature obsession with speed.”