Peter Hitchens' Half Hour | 7-November-22

[@talktv]

What should be done to solve the problems with Britain's railways?

[@nockianlifter661]

Let the market function. Railways need to be in private hands - not privatised which is only a state franchise that the state controls.

[@nockianlifter661]

@A. Fox we had loads of strikes and terrible service when they were nationalised. Awful service and everyone complained about high prices and rotten service. People that think nationalisation is the answer haven’t had to endure it.

[@themissinfowar6629]

Chinooks we can just air taxi over the railways and buses who are all on strike

[@Ruda-n4h]

@@nockianlifter661 In my experience, privatisation has been no better.

[@nockianlifter661]

@@Ruda-n4h It was certainly better in my experience, but it’s no where close to what it might be if there was no Government involvement. Franchises are a halfway house - remember at least one of the franchisees decided to back out and the Government has already re-nationalised the service on the East coast. Rail track is still under full state control too.

[@rogerhudson2814]

Congestion charges are there to make money not to reduce congestion.

[@sniwashitu]

London dwellers have no clue. People need cars outside londinistan

[@paulhevan322]

Exactly. Kensington socialists.. working from home or a limo paid for by expenses/paid for ultimately by tax payers 😒

[@davidreed9671]

As a retired Railwayman I can tell you the railways have always been run to suit the employees. A public service, are you mad??

[@crawford1083]

"Lycra louts" 🤣aka "soyclists" 😆

[@graemecreegan6749]

The idea is not for everyone who owns a normal car now to swap it for an electric car, the idea is for most people to not be allowed to own cars. You will own nothing, go nowhere and be happy ?

[@jeremylpcollier]

There appears to be no audio?

[@loafersheffield]

Pardon?

[@michealkelliher8428]

I've been to Copenhagen and Stockholm, big cycling cities, Copenhagen much more so. In my time over there, I was astounded by the athletic, slim looking people generally in both countries, all people cycling over there were very fit looking, well dressed. Hence both countries are healthier and happier regarding their standard of living, more than most countries in the world. In Copenhagen, the pedestrian and the cyclist had the right of way, it works. Cleaner air, less health problems, less noise pollution, less accidents. It can be done. Its all about attitude, attitude, attitude in a the culture of a country. The more that do it, the more they influence others. By the way I'm a cyclist and a car user.

[@goodyeoman4534]

The Scandinavian utopia thing again.

[@michealkelliher8428]

@@goodyeoman4534 Yep it works. High taxes yes, but they get a great dividend from it. Unlike here in Ireland.

[@goodyeoman4534]

@@michealkelliher8428 The UK is the most taxed nation on earth, and with some of the worst public services in the first world.

[@michealkelliher8428]

@@goodyeoman4534 Try Ireland my friend, it's way worse over here.

[@nockianlifter661]

There’s a lot of propaganda for cycling. As a cyclist myself I find the sanctimonious, pompous attitude that more cycling is a necessity that everyone must choose in order to be saintly. Cycling is a form of transport just like a car, I choose to cycle because it’s convenient, not because I’m saving the ‘effin planet. I’m quite happy for even more cars to be on the roads and more roads - big 4wd, large engines, luxury cars, super cars are all good.

[@jimmybobby4824]

Well there is an in between. I don’t cycle or drive and I don’t have a problem with either, but I wouldn’t want more cars on the road. Turn the entire country into a polluted motorway? Forget saving the planet and Climate change but let’s at least protect our clean air and countryside, from dangerous cars

[@nockianlifter661]

@@jimmybobby4824 I find that most people that think the way you do tend to live, or commute in high density cities and complain about too many people and cars. For the rest of us this is not an issue. We have to travel and there is no integrated transport system village to village, or even town to town. Public transport is expensive, inconvenient, slow, uncomfortable, unreliable and sparse. Making it more difficult and expensive to travel by car is not a win, it’s punishment, it removes our mobility and freedom. Cycling is not a serious alternative, it’s a lifestyle choice for very short journeys or leisure.

[@goldenboy06]

Peter Hitchens’ 20 minutes.

[@aedeenhickey372]

The safety of pedestrians seems to be have been forgotten. Too many cyclists ride to close to pedestrians and too fast; and don't seem to have any liability.

[@goodyeoman4534]

Forgotten? They simply don't care. Many of these cyclists are as nasty and aggressive to pedestrians as they claim drivers are to them. Such hypocrisy.

[@janewilkin1984]

Watched this on talk TV earlier and he said when he goes out he Said when he is out on his bike he is dressed for battle, this is what i think, with all the challenges out on the road

[@elizabethnuttall5374]

I trained on the NHS. The attitude was that we, the NHS are doing you a favour and don’t bother us unless you absolutely have to. Which meant and still means avoidable early deaths. I worked in the US and got disabused of that notion. Then Australia. Perfect in the major cities but better watch it if not.

[@CaratacusAD]

The majority of people I’ve worked with in London who cycle just do it to avoid the conjested public transport and fare cost. Some just use it to go to and from the station either end. The health argument is questionable, most people’s diet / lifestyle more than offsets riding and you can see that in the bulging lycra they all wear :)

[@goodyeoman4534]

Yes. I wonder what percentage of the workforce actually live within cycling distance of work. I'm 22 miles away from mine and I'm not bloody cycling that after a twelve hour shift. I'd do it for anything under 7 miles, though.

[@alphabetaxenonzzzcat]

Public transport is all well and fine in a large city(e.g. London, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Newcastle, Nottingham, etc.), but outside of that - it would be very hard to make such a system to meet everyone's needs. People do make quite complicated journeys. I suspect car usage is falling anyway, what with the new vogue of "working from home". Peter's idea that suddenly we are going to see some sort of vast increase in the public's health because of cycling, is a little far fetched - most people I know who live in London, use cycling for convenience of getting around a congested city.

[@MrScottskiuk]

I like this show, but what a load of claptrap. If you live in London where you only need to make a short journey to work, a bike is fine. Equally, the transport system in London is world-class. In the rest of the country public transport is non existent and most of us have to travel to work

[@rogerhudson2814]

Good bicycles have a basket on the front.

[@nockianlifter661]

Good bicycles have engines.

[@alphabetaxenonzzzcat]

I was thinking as it is Peter - surely he'd like a Penny Farthing bicycle? 😉

[@redjacc7581]

if you want to get people out of cars then you need to pay them, or give them a large tax break, they need an incentive.

[@rosaob5842]

You inadvertently agreed with Clarkson there Peter! I believe he brought the car ad clear road chimera to our attention.

[@DaboooogA]

Good spot

[@slainegwalchmai]

I part company with Peter on the helmet issue, I was hit by a dangerous driver and went over the car. Had I not been wearing a helmet I would certainly have died according to the consultant who treat me. They are designed to deform and break on impact so that your skull hopefully doesn't. Ask James Cracknell.

[@alphabetaxenonzzzcat]

I was surprised by that - as normally Peter is very much in favour of state intervention(just cast your mind back to his conversation with Graham about drinking, as Peter said he would ban supermarkets from selling alcohol, only let off licenses sell it and limit the licensing laws).

[@rewdwarf123]

Totally agree. I don't cycle without wearing one of them.

[@TOMLINBISH]

No sound on this video despite trying several times! Edit- it's working now!

[@alphabetaxenonzzzcat]

Isn't the reality that traffic(of any kind) is an indicator of economic performance? Busy big cities(like London, New York, L. A. , Tokyo, Paris, Rome, etc.) are always going to be congested and difficult to get around especially during peak times - no matter how good their transport infrastructure.

[@shaungillingham4689]

But what about older people not fit enough to cycle? Also apart from work, a individual might have to visit several locations within a town or city, possibly have to carry certain purchases then a bike is of no use. Unlike Holland there are some nasty hills, again no good on a bycles.

[@jimmybobby4824]

Ever heard of a bus or tram ? Europe does this well with public transport

[@foodofthemasses]

@@jimmybobby4824 I agree, I visit Holland regularly. Their public transport system is really efficient. Buses trams and trains run exactly on time, there is a card system which you use on everything but like a national Oyster card. It’s tremendous.

[@shaungillingham4689]

@@jimmybobby4824 I've nothing against a bus, but again how do you carry stuff on a bike? Also there are places spread out within the town, it would take several different bus rides & a hour long trip would be better part of half a day.

[@tdevry]

Most older people here in the Netherlands cycle..... At times they can be annoying as they still stick their hand out and cross the road, without looking, the same as they did in 1935. Generally car drivers are patient......unless you live in one of the mayor cities. Cycling in England is no fun.

[@shaungillingham4689]

@@tdevry very interesting, but in England you are correct, the car drivers don't take prisoners lol! Also there are hills that are cardiac arrest territory, nothing I could handle. Besides how to carry stuff on a bycle? Maybe electric bycles but there are so many dedicated bike theives in England I'd have to carry a full motorbike chain & lock.

[@babrady5075]

A woman with two children in tow with a weeks shopping going on a bus , what fun .

[@granvillestout2681]

Hitchens broadcasting from the garden shed, must be a first.

[@granvillestout2681]

@A. Fox A lot of scaffolding for a shed., cowboys eh!

[@granvillestout2681]

@A. Fox Not missed an episode, do you have trouble understanding comedy?

[@loafersheffield]

Look again. Carefully. The shed is outside behind him. That, my friends, is a man cave. Hear the echoes? Wait... NO. It's his missus. Nagging.

[@granvillestout2681]

@A. Fox you just answered my question in the affirmative.

[@granvillestout2681]

@A. Fox Have you never heard the words “when you are in a hole, stop digging “.

[@mobberleyman6112]

imagine what would happen if private cars ownership was banned and apart from cycling and walking you had to rely on a much expanded public transport network. This would leave the power of the economy in the hands of the transport union, strikes would be threatened every year unless their members were the best paid workers in the country.

[@davidreed9671]

rather like London Underground

[@kenstevens5065]

I feel one of the problems today, apart from a majority of useless Parliamentarians and a public sector remote from the population in general is the growth of the privatisation of the likes of the Railways who are in effect essential public services.

[@allsortsgifts6202]

Peter has a new garden office. Glad to see he’s in such great demand that he needs a place of his own. Or, perhaps Mrs Hitchens is fed up being told to shut up!

[@johncorner9295]

Garden shed..must be a first...

[@MrScottskiuk]

Cars are great and yes they are empowering. They're also comfortable and get you from where you are to where you want to be at the time you want to travel. This discussion is nonsense

[@nockianlifter661]

With several passengers and a load of shopping, or bags of gravel from B&Q.

[@jimmybobby4824]

Ok so we shouldn’t have any restraint? No rest until the entire country is roads and car parks

[@nockianlifter661]

@@jimmybobby4824 It wouldn’t be, but if that’s what was required then yes.

[@davidreed9671]

@@jimmybobby4824 most towns are just that

[@nockianlifter661]

Motorcycle helmets should not be compulsory on motorbikes. The reality of compulsion is that when it was introduced, virtually all riders chose a helmet anyway. It’s really not comfortable to ride without a helmet anyway and it’s not easy to go faster than about 30mph without goggles. There are times when riders can do without a helmet in town - the same speed as cyclists and the exact same risk-or if picking up a passenger who doesn’t have a helmet, or if the helmet gets stolen.

[@steadfastandyx4947]

Striking is unnecessary. Pretence is all that is required.

[@martynfenton3814]

All those drivers who think they pay "road tax" need to visit The Netherlands. " Most journeys in UK are under 2m . You just don't see overweight or unhealthy people over there

[@tomben6180]

Well as a darts fan I can certainly tell you there are fat people in the Netherlands

[@martynfenton3814]

@@tomben6180 very, very few. Have you been there?

[@chocolatejellybean2820]

mumble mumble... try and set him up with a proper microphone and new dentures

[@ZL54JK8]

If he would shave off his beard we would have a chance of lip-reading.

[@paulhevan322]

State appeasement to anarchy. Everything is useless and who can you blame?🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡 On top tax payer funded salary.. rather a lot actually. Working from home type I'm thinking.

[@jimmybobby4824]

What are you talking about, you come across as unhinged, not as smart as you think you are

[@Ruda-n4h]

Peter and Mike have been talking to each other every week for two and a half years now, and they're starting to run out of steam.

[@garymitchell5899]

They have half a dozen topics and rotate them without novel comment ad nauseum. Ran out of steam at least 18 months ago.

[@erniesbiscuits8691]

I very rarely disagree with Peter on anything, but he's wrong about cycle helmets. They save lives, end of discussion.

[@jimmybobby4824]

‘End of discussion’. Open minded? What about free discussion. I could easily say banning cars saves the planet, end of discussion. Right…?

[@erniesbiscuits8691]

@@jimmybobby4824 I'm extremely open minded, but he has no evidence other than that people are more reckless if wearing them. That may well be true, but he never addresses the fundamental point that if you hit your head on the pavement not wearing one you have no protection, whereas if you do have one on you do have a level of protection. His point regarding shoulders is mute and irrelevant. It's like saying 'most soldiers get shot in the body, so there's no real point in them wearing helmets'. Um, yes there is.

[@bobbyunavailable]

There’s a difference between a cyclist travelling at 25-30 miles an hour and a commuter on a tow path doing 10. Wear one of you want to wear one but I don’t think they should be compulsory.

[@joeboysunny]

Get on your bike hitchens, probably was incapable of passing the driving test..

[@jimmybobby4824]

He can drive just doesn’t

[@reegonfall8866]

WST Just FOUND A Terrifying Structure 5000 LY That Shocks Elon Musk!