- News
- Reviews
- Bikes
- Accessories
- Accessories - misc
- Computer mounts
- Bags
- Bar ends
- Bike bags & cases
- Bottle cages
- Bottles
- Cameras
- Car racks
- Child seats
- Computers
- Glasses
- GPS units
- Helmets
- Lights - front
- Lights - rear
- Lights - sets
- Locks
- Mirrors
- Mudguards
- Racks
- Pumps & CO2 inflators
- Puncture kits
- Reflectives
- Smart watches
- Stands and racks
- Trailers
- Clothing
- Components
- Bar tape & grips
- Bottom brackets
- Brake & gear cables
- Brake & STI levers
- Brake pads & spares
- Brakes
- Cassettes & freewheels
- Chains
- Chainsets & chainrings
- Derailleurs - front
- Derailleurs - rear
- Forks
- Gear levers & shifters
- Groupsets
- Handlebars & extensions
- Headsets
- Hubs
- Inner tubes
- Pedals
- Quick releases & skewers
- Saddles
- Seatposts
- Stems
- Wheels
- Tyres
- Health, fitness and nutrition
- Tools and workshop
- Miscellaneous
- Buyers Guides
- Features
- Forum
- Recommends
- Podcast
news
Charlie Forkner Jaguar (screenshot YouTube)Mechanic "no longer associated" with Jaguar TCS Racing after saying run over cyclists ignoring cycle lanes
The No.1 mechanic of Formula E outfit Jaguar TCS Racing is "no longer associated" with the team after screenshots emerged of a rant posted on social media about cyclists ignoring cycle lanes.
Charlie Forkner's comment, believed to be written in reply to a Thames Valley Police Facebook post about a close pass operation, said cyclists not using cycle lanes should be "ran over [...] dragged onto the path and p*ssed on by everyone!"
Screenshots were soon shared on social media of the rant, which appears to have been deleted, prompting widespread criticism and Jaguar TCS Racing to release a statement saying the mechanic is no longer part of the team.
An interesting comment from a @JaguarRacing employee in response to today's @ThamesVP Operation Close Pass. pic.twitter.com/xrSGfQstMM
— That Bloody Cyclist (@_BloodyCyclist) April 4, 2022
As well as calling for cyclists not using infrastructure to be ran over, the comment from Forkner's account said there is "no excuse" for riding in the road when there are cycle paths.
"If you don't like the fact you have to sometimes stop at path crossings etc. don't take your bike. If your bike isn't capable of going up and down dropped curbs [sic] without damage, you are using the wrong bike," it continued before turning attention to red light jumping.
"I've seen many more bikes going through red lights etc than i have cars. In fact no cars for months possibly years. But I see bikes do it weekly! Not an issue with people riding bikes to work etc. great, good for you. But use a cycle path if one's there. Or if on a dangerous road, and there is a path, just use it as it keeps everyone much safer and less families missing loved ones."
Following the backlash, Jaguar TCS Racing shared a statement saying:
Jaguar TCS Racing is aware of a recent social media post. We take breaches of our social media policy very seriously. We do not tolerate this behaviour in our team. The individual involved is no longer associated with Jaguar TCS Racing. We will not be making any further comment.
As recently as last March, Forkner appeared in a 'Meet The Team' video [screenshots below, video has now been removed] shared with Jaguar's 259,000 YouTube subscribers, in which he talks of his No.1 mechanic role building the team's ABB FIA Formula E World Championship race cars.
The comments were widely criticised with one person tagging the race team's Twitter account (prior to their statement), saying: "@JaguarRacing... you have a responsibility to cut ties with anyone like Charlie Forkner."
Hate speech, inciting violence. I am so sick of reading this stuff and then it popping back into my head when I'm on my bike.
— Sarah Watmore (@SarahsCycling) April 5, 2022
Another added: "Wow this guy really has issues that he needs to deal with. I really do think he needs help. And it would obviously be safer for him and everybody around him if he wasn’t driving or operating in a safety critical industry."
Jaguar had a partnership with Team Sky between 2010 and 2015, providing the team's support cars for three Tour de France victories, including Sir Bradley Wiggins' in 2012. The brand's logo appeared on Team Sky's Rapha kits during 2014 and 2015.
We've had a very good relationship with @JLR_News over the years doing lots of partnership work to prevent #Roaddanger, which is why this is so dissapointing 😒 They have given us use of team cars, trucks and drivers for shows & events, that's @SirWiggo a bike on top 👍 🚴 pic.twitter.com/2F8CwVsAhI
— Mark Hodson (@markandcharlie) April 5, 2022
Dan is the road.cc news editor and has spent the past four years writing stories and features, as well as (hopefully) keeping you entertained on the live blog. Having previously written about nearly every other sport under the sun for the Express, and the weird and wonderful world of non-league football for the Non-League Paper, Dan joined road.cc in 2020. Come the weekend you'll find him labouring up a hill, probably with a mouth full of jelly babies, or making a bonk-induced trip to a south of England petrol station... in search of more jelly babies.
Latest Comments
- Hirsute 10 min 17 sec ago
So it's £200 for drivers and £600 for cyclists? Or you think 2T of metal is equivalent to 10kg of metal?
- Sam3 2 hours 22 min ago
Asked for comment, a representative of the biker community said: "We are realigning our expenditure better reflect our strategic priorities and...
- Sam3 2 hours 27 min ago
So highly overpriced items such as "premium bike clothing" and overpriced "premium" bikes that no one NEEDS....suffer a disproportionate...
- chrisonabike 4 hours 38 min ago
Well good for Yate! Looking on Street view the 2021 pictures suggest nothing less than a genuinely "massive" amount of cash * will help. That...
- Blackthorne 5 hours 47 min ago
Well Paddy Murray seems to have been nicely rewarded for his efforts to drive Stages into the ground.
- Rizzo27 8 hours 35 min ago
I’ve found Specialized to be well put together and refined but not necessarily budget. I had a RadWagon before my Specialized Vado 4 and the level...
- stonojnr 9 hours 35 min ago
but I thought that was the Avanti process, your bike doesnt get in the special cycle storage carriage without a printed reservation, that you then...
- stonojnr 10 hours 3 min ago
he could get one of those flame thrower dog robots, might concentrate the minds of the drivers abit, the speed detector signs that article talks...
Add new comment
49 comments
The Rt Hon Nadine Dorries MP is Minister in charge of "The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) helps to drive growth, enrich lives and promote Britain abroad."
Hate crime against an identifiable SPORT in the DIGITAL MEDIA should be her concern, especially given the government initiative for Active Travel.
We can't very well complain if we don't take the opportunity available in the democratic process. Please write to your MP, too..
I've not heard much from Nadine recently but I suspect these are not the crimes she's looking for - no mention of statues being hassled / proud history being dissed...
99% of those who kill and maim on our roads don't have intent to do so - they just don't have any intent to drive safely, which is more than enough to kill or maim someone.
Jaguar have posted a tweet.
https://twitter.com/JaguarRacing/status/1511316934876352514
I twitter so you dont have to....
Silly boy.
If it wasnt for the first paragraph it was a standard anti-cyclist rant of which there are millions on twitter.
Thanks very much for the heads-up, we're updating the story.
No longer associated with Jaguar TCS as he had left beforehand, or because of this post?
I'm going to suggest sacked..... given the fact that Jaguar TCS have removed the Youtube Video that was linked in the article
This won't sit well with JLR.. they are one of the most active travel advocates for their staff. I even believe there's an internal disiplinary procedure for cars seen driving irresponsibly off their lease car staff incentive cars (which are easily identifiable by the number plates). Staff at the Gaydon plant organise a charity sportif. There are showers, a gym on site (with wattbikes) and a ton of cycle facilities. JLR may make massive cars, but they are also big fat friendly cycling employer.
It hasn't.... he has just kissed goodbye to his job by the looks of it.
If there is a direct correlation between his comments and not workking at Jaguar racing, I wonder if he blames himself and his attitude, or cyclists for making a fuss. I wonder if he has vowed to readjust his ways of thinking.
I have to say, I'm not holding much hope for introspection and realigment
I suspect the latter - he'll be down the pub grumbling about how cyclists have no sense of humour etc...
Nah he doesn't have time for going to the pub yet. He is too busy deleting/making private all of his social media & linked-in profiles which are all now dead links.
Yeah, I did have a poke around to see how much grief he was getting on his socials - all gone. Quite a few people were taking their anger out in comments of his "Meet the team" video, so JLR have nuked that too.
I'm sure our sense of humour will improve when cyclists getting injured/killed on our roads becomes a rare event.
Which denies the Engineering Principle of Continuous Improvement, probably something that JLR does care about...
Interesting background, thanks.
Certainly seems to be a thriving cycling culture there, eg:
https://solihullobserver.co.uk/news/jaguar-land-rover-cyclists-lead-the-...
https://teamtalk.jaguarlandrover.com/news/on-your-bike
What a twunt.
Pages