Cycling Scotland and the ASA

[Jaded]

Initially put here rather than in Lift the Lid because of its importance.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-25926572

Advert banned because it is socially irresponsible.

[Canardly]

ASA now considers itself to be above the law apparently.

[Regulator]

I'm going to send the ASA a copy of the Highway Code and make a formal complaint about the competence of their decision maker...

[red marley]

Absolutely incredible.

Not only banning the ad for showing a helmetless rider, but also for showing a road position such that "the car almost had to enter the right lane of traffic".

I think this is an issue where letters to the ASA really could make a difference, and they really should be challenged.

Interestingly though, it does open up the ASA to uphold complaints about any car advert that contradicts any of the highway code "should" recommendations. As pointed out on another blog, adverts like this one (Rule 152).

[Jaded]

I once made a complaint to the ASA about a MacDonalds advert that showed a car driving in the middle lane of an empty motorway. It wasn't upheld.

[mr magnolia]

ASA now considers itself to be above the law apparently.

Maybe not 'above', but certainly 'better than'.
Good shout Mr jaded, this ban is bonkers and should be objected to.
 I shall become Mr angry and communicate appropriately.

[mcshroom]

General Enquiry sent as to how i make a formal complaint

[SlowCoach]

Who have you sent the general enquiry to? A quick check on their website indicates that they can only take complaints on adjudication from the advertiser or complainant. They seem to have this tied up quite nicely...

[David Martin]

Who regulates the regulator?

Are it's decisions binding, does the ASA have any powers apart from reccommendation?

[mcshroom]

Who have you sent the general enquiry to? A quick check on their website indicates that they can only take complaints on adjudication from the advertiser or complainant. They seem to have this tied up quite nicely...

Through the Contact Us > General Enquiries link on their website. I'll see what response I get.

[rogerzilla]

Cockwombles.

[Wobbly John]

By this case, they seem to have set the ground rules as:

Something advised by the Highway code

5 or more complaints (I'm sure it said earlier that there had been 5 complaints - has it been updated?)

Lets see if we can complain about any other adverts that do not comply with Highway code recommendations. 

[Jasmine]

Not only banning the ad for showing a helmetless rider, but also for showing a road position such that "the car almost had to enter the right lane of traffic".

Wasn't that the point of the advert - that drivers should be overtaking like that?   

[clarion]

I think it would need a JR.

[mattc]

Not only banning the ad for showing a helmetless rider, but also for showing a road position such that "the car almost had to enter the right lane of traffic".

Wasn't that the point of the advert - that drivers should be overtaking like that?   

Well exactly!

The advert is suggesting humans should get as much respect as a horse - most drivers leave about a country mile when overtaking a horse. I can't imagine adverts featuring such a scene would produce any complaints.

[Cudzoziemiec]

Yes - the advert is aimed at altering/informing driver behaviour, but the ASA seem to be concerned about its effect on cyclists' behaviour (which it is also aimed at, of course). This seems (sadly) consistent with their decision about driving in the middle lane on an empty motorway - this is a reflection of normality, many/most drivers always do this; whereas cyclists do not as a matter of course ride that far out in the road. Advertising should only reflect normality, it is not meant to influence us at all?!?!?! 

[mcshroom]

I've discovered that the ASA calim that they regulate 'under contract from Ofcom'.

Now I'm trying to find an email address for Ofcom to make a complaint about the decision, but they seem to have designed their site in such a way as to make communicating with them by email difficult - bit strange for a the regulator of communications.

[red marley]

Bez (no, not that one) has a well reasoned post on this ruling along with some advice on contacting the ASA.

[Tom B]

Bez (no, not that one) has a well reasoned post on this ruling along with some advice on contacting the ASA

Thanks, Jo, what a great site! I've learned a new term, 'desire path'

[mcshroom]

There is also a change.org petition for the ruling to be changed - here

[David Martin]

This is probabl the best deconstruction of the ASA decision I've seen . http://www.darkerside.org/2014/01/asa-censors-cycling-safety-ad/

[spindrift]

(the cyclist)appeared to be more than half a metre from the parking lane.

I dunno what the blinking flip a "parking lane" is but half a metre sounds about the length of a car door, riding there ensures you don't get doored and lose a testicle, do the ASA want me to lose a testicle?

[mcshroom]

Magnetom's on form with this one as well
http://www.magnatom.net/2014/01/know-your-asa-from-your-elbow.html

[fuzzy]

The cyclist is positioned perfectly to avoid the pedestrian standing in the road taking the photograph. Where the fuck else is she supposed to ride?

[clarion]

(the cyclist)appeared to be more than half a metre from the parking lane.

I dunno what the blinking flip a "parking lane" is but half a metre sounds about the length of a car door, riding there ensures you don't get doored and lose a testicle, do the ASA want me to lose a testicle?

50cm is less than a car door space.