Working in sports media often involves engaging in heated debates, but sometimes those discussions extend beyond sports, becoming even more controversial. A recent example is ESPN SportsCenter anchor Randy Scott, who stirred up significant backlash with a video he posted on X (formerly Twitter) while driving behind a group of cyclists, captioned “these monsters must be stopped.”
These monsters must be stopped 🚲 ❌ pic.twitter.com/0vLd9EnGPp
— Randy Scott (@RandyScottESPN) March 31, 2025
In the video, he expressed frustration, saying, “15 miles an hour behind this sad suburban peloton. Everybody just has to adjust their day while they’re out doing their midlife crisis. Oh, now we’re going 10 miles an hour! Now we’re going 10! Thanks, fellows! Appreciate it!” This led to an overwhelming amount of criticism aimed at Scott. Here’s a sampling:
good lord dude – cyclists are lawfully using a road that doesn’t get much use – they’re moving along pretty well. You are allowed to pass, at least in Ohio, when it is safe and you have enough space ahead. Get OVER yourself-Oh, & driving while shooting video is often a violation https://t.co/Z80J7jQMhQ
— Steve Magas (@OhioBikeLawyer) April 1, 2025
It’s awesome that ESPN hires people who break the law while driving so they can film and try to publicly shame people on bikes for legally using the road. https://t.co/6NC88hbfiH
— Todd Munson (@themunson) April 1, 2025
Things drivers are happy to be stuck behind for more than 30 seconds:
other cars
vans
trucks
buses
horses
ambulances
ice cream vansThings drivers are not happy to be stuck behind for less than 30 seconds:
cyclists https://t.co/1nJIHgiIBK
— Bob From Accounts 🚲 (@BobFromAccounts) April 2, 2025
terminal car brain to slow down to record and shame cyclists or runners instead of passing at a safe distance with the multiple opportunities you had https://t.co/c6G1oZxM6f
— kr (@kylerrobbins) April 2, 2025
While Scott faced a considerable amount of criticism, he did receive some support, including from former ESPN colleague Trey Wingo, who commented, “Man.. Preach on this.” However, the majority of responses highlighted Scott’s lack of constructive suggestions for addressing the delays caused by cyclists. On Tuesday, Scott attempted to clarify his position in a lengthy thread, expressing some proposed solutions:
For example…
Biking 10mph in a 40mph area near an elementary school during school pickup feels like a bad idea.I’d have bicyclist Do Not Enter hours for certain higher-speed streets during peak vehicle activity.
— Randy Scott (@RandyScottESPN) April 2, 2025
That includes, though, maintaining a certain minimum speed.
Is it half the posted speed limit? Is it within 15mph? 20mph? I don’t know. But it feels like it would be safer for all involved if cyclists weren’t at risk at slam-on-your-brakes speed around curves and over hills.— Randy Scott (@RandyScottESPN) April 2, 2025
Regardless, we need to continue to share the road, look out for each other, and holy hell stop yelling at each other.
Fighting with cycling twitter is worse than any college fan base, any Cowboys perceived slight, any LeBron or MJ hive.
Uncle.
You guys are too much. 🫡
— Randy Scott (@RandyScottESPN) April 2, 2025
Scott is not the first sports media figure to face backlash for comments on cycling. Notable incidents include Cleveland radio host Anthony Lima, who in 2016 had to apologize after expressing he felt a “murderous feeling” when driving behind cyclists. Such encounters are not uncommon and gain attention, especially on platforms like X. Discussions about cycling and sharing the road are significant but often lack necessary nuance, considering local road contexts and relevant laws. Unfortunately, X prioritizes short, viral content over nuanced discussions. Scott’s experience demonstrates this reality, especially given how his inflammatory language, such as “sad suburban peloton,” incited criticism that left him stating, “Fighting with cycling twitter is worse than any college fan base, any Cowboys perceived slight, any LeBron or MJ hive.” It remains to be seen whether other sports media figures will learn from this incident or if this cycle will continue.
