These days, it’s not enough to stand on the side of the road and watch as Tour de France riders blaze past on their quest for le maillot jaune. Nor is it enough, it seems, for spectators to grab a quick snapshot. Everyone wants le selfie (Translation: a Selfie), and it could get somebody killed, or at the very least pretty damn hurt.
Above you see one of the TDF leaders Vincenzo Nibali attempting to cut his way though a sea of smartphones and point and shoots and GoPros wielded by anxious fans hoping to make their their proximity to greatness more than a fleeting flash of synapses. But in trying to Capture the Moment, these people are endangering both themselves and the riders. As The Guardian reports, the legions of selfie collectors have become an epidemic at this year’s Tour, especially on the new British legs of the race where crowds aren’t as used to high speed cyclists racing by.
Part of the problem, The Guardian notes, is that the novelty of the British section of the Tour is drawing humungous crowds. Still, in the words of annoyed cyclist Tejay van Garderen:
Standing I the middle of the road with you back turned while 200 cyclists come at you, just to take a selfie. #think #TDF2014
— Tejay van Garderen (@tejay_van) July 6, 2014
Stay safe out there spectators. No selfie is worth your life — or the life of the riders competing for your entertainment. [The Guardian via Digg]
Picture: Christophe Ena/ AP Images