Another Red Robot complaint

[IanJ]

I think the focus of this thread got shifted. The original article I posted was copy of a letter to a local newspaper written by a MOTORIST.

 

Now, like it or not if we want to be safe on the roads we need to have as many motorists on our side as possible. Every letter that appears in a newspaper turns more and more of them against us.

 

Let's face it the perception of cyclists amongst the general population is not good (and rightly so) and we need to do something about it.

 

There will always be the exception, some cranky fool who has a vendetta, but if the majority of motorists were to respect our right to be on the road things would be a lot safer.

 

Every weekday morning I ride back from my morning training ride through Sandton in peak hour traffic and generally speaking motorists are pretty friendly. I make a point of thanking those that wait for me to cross an intersection even if I have the right of way.

 

If motorists see huge bunches of cyclists wizzing through red robots without even slowing down they see them as a hazard and become antagonistic.

 

Now if everyone were to read the original post they would see that the point was not cyclists bitching about other cyclists but motorists perception of cyclists, which like it or not is important.

 

 

[E1A104]

That's just the point, it CAN be controlled, it's just that some people do not have enough self-discipline to control it!! That's like a rapist saying he was justified because he could not control his urges and we all know that is BS. And No, i'm not equating rape to skipping a red traffic light, i'm talking on a principle level here.

[porky]

I wasnt going to post on this because there are two distinct groups of folk on this board, I have read posts where members say, "I WILL go through a red light / stop street - and then try and justify it by saying "when its safe" and others who are obviously in the "obey the law" camp.

 

Personally, I have seldom had an issue with motorists, perhaps its an "attitude" thing, but like Ianj said, I too raise a hand to thank motorists at intersections, if a truck is coming up behind me, I try and ride as close as safely possible to the edge of the road, I raise my hand and acknowledge I know he is there, at lights and stop streets I try and make eye contact with motorists when I feel I dont know where they are going, we are all humans, they understand just by my look or appearance I am in question and they either wave me on or take action which I can anticipate, I make myself visible with  bright lighting, even in the midday, its just a habit and if it makes one motorist happier because I was more visible, I consider it a good thing.

 

However, and I am not been critical, many cyclists have the attitude of, :I deserve to / have a right to be here" or "I have right of way so you better wait" or constantly ride around with a "#$%^& you" look on their face.

 

Believe it or not, I firmly believe you WILL be treated as you treat others.

 

There may be a few odd exceptions, but I dont concern myself with them, I concentrate on smiling, thanking, and generally putting out good vibes towards motorists - and as I say, for me it works and I am usually well accepted as part of the moving traffic.

 

Try it, what have you got to loose.