Slowbee Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 .I hear you on this one - but you have to give carbon29er some due. He was taking alot of heat from all sides and when I look at the question bloukrans asked you could see it was a set up. I also had the question in the back of my mind about just pitching up and riding to show solidarity but did not know if I would be allowed as I did not want to buy a jersey for the ride. I asked the question if I could by buy the jersey at the expo so I could use it while riding at Somerset West Way. On another note, we are hijacking things - lets try start another thread.
Hairy Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 Been fighting this fight for many years now. Was an active participant in the Critical Mass rides, did a PPA organised awareness ride (injured and an in a brace sitting on the back of a tandem) that ended at the Civic center with hollow words being spoken .... this was then going to be a regular event ... did not happen again, Stander ride, ride for silence and then just doing something for ourselves (see pic).
Hairy Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 It was interesting how many people commented on the signs we had on our backs ... cars, pedestrians and other cyclists .... this was before the PPA did the stay alive campaign.
Hairy Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 If the PPA were serious about getting the message around, surely a cheaper T-Shirt as an alternative should be made available ..... that is if the awareness ride is a genuine event that requires a dress code of sorts, and not just a marketing vehicle to sell more R400 cycle tops.
Guest Karma Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 If the PPA were serious about getting the message around, surely a cheaper T-Shirt as an alternative should be made available ..... that is if the awareness ride is a genuine event that requires a dress code of sorts, and not just a marketing vehicle to sell more R400 cycle tops. This. You should lead the campaign.
Allrounder Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 This. You should lead the campaign. agree. how many off the ppa guys are cyclists?
carbon29er Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 And when a Cyclist asks if he can join the official PPA AWARENESS ride on the 28th in his own kit, he gets a snotty reply from an elected PPA official AND FELLOW CYCLIST that he must be in the new PPA kit which cost R400.00, otherwise he'll be nothing more than a pirate rider!! I was going to join this ride to show solidarity, driving from the Northern Burbs, but agter this reply, I'm rather gonna go ride my Mtb on "our" trails where I'm safe from cars / trucks / busses driving over me. Off Topic, I know, but still pertinentIt;s easy to sit on the sidelines and snipe, It's a bit harder to give your time voluntarily and actually try do something about the issue. My conscience is clear.
floatfox Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 In the last few weeks there have been I think 2 accidents in Benoni, involving cyclists and one in Boksburg...shocking..I dont want to cycle alone anymore, I get up at 4 in the morning and go out with a group.
Wyatt Earp Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 Don't forget to include @bicyclesafetysa on all tweets.
Tubehunter Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 It's hard not to weigh in on this topic. The safety campaign seems to be a marketing campaign at this point! Yes, congratualtions on lobbying the local government structure and having the pass at 1m rule brought into action! Kudos on that move that has now been realised. Well done on having a campaign and amending the slogan and message to fit into this legislation, as the 'stay alive at 1 point five' is no longer in keeping with the law. What next though? Where is all the other safety concern info and messages that the PPA could be driving beyond stickers on cars and people wearing kit? Those of us who ride regularly commend the fact that you have a campaign but please make the focus and message more than just selling cycling tops. Not everyone believes a high viz shirt is the most effective way of bringing about cycling safety exclusively. Surely the campaign should be tackling more than this. Also, lets consider that in some other threads you mentioned that non PPA members are encouraged to seek assistance from the PPA should they be involved in an accident of sorts and need more help. How can we prescribe this, but then have a safety awareness ride and turn around and suggest that people who would like to participate 'have to' purchase a new cycle jersey. Are we having an awareness ride or a cycle jersey selling drive??? It can't be both... The irony is you would probably have sold more jerseys if you made it completely open and people pitched. Many would likely have bought jerseys on the day. Right now, most feel like staying away out of principle. This is not a good thing when cycling safety needs EVERY single person who throws their leg over a bike! Only REALLY MASSIVE numbers of cyclists showing solidarity will make the authorities sit up and notice! Not 250 people all wearing the same shirt... This safety effort could be so much more!
carbon29er Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 to me this is a right can of kakesisters. The jersey is but ONE way of increasing awareness of giving cyclists space. They are using the jersey in the same way as getting stickers on cars, get the message to the masses. I see this mass ride as a way of protest, as it will highlight the campaign - while wearing the jersey. BUT ! is the R400 price just going to the cost of the jersey ........ Because a question one should ask .....why are these jersey's not in the goody bag's of all argus entrants for free?Slowbee, it's a well known fact in life that people are more likely to use things they pay for than they get for free. The new shirts are being sold near as dammit as cost as we want as many as is humanly possible to wear them. Go to any cycling shop and see what a top quality cycling jersey costs. Or go to enjoy sports website and see what jerseys cost. The jerseys are part of a wider NATIONAL campaign, PPA is spending R2.5 million over a 4 week period leading up to the cycle tour on this campaign. We have engaged with the authorities and, while I believe we are making progress, these deaths this week are particularly offensive to me as both the roads where highlighted and targeted by us for attention by the authorities. Both occurred in a roadwork section where the road width has been reduced. Unfortunately it is those that are trying to do something about the issue that are picking up the flak. For Wannabe and Bloukrans to use these forums to attack me and the work being coordinated by me as part of a well thought-out and targeted campaign funded by PPA is pretty unnecessary and uncalled for. It reflects more on their nature than me. Despite these short-sighted attacks on PPA's motives, safe cycling is an area that needs most attention in increasing the popularity of cycling in SA and it is an are that will continue to receive funding.
Tubehunter Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 Slowbee, it's a well known fact in life that people are more likely to use things they pay for than they get for free. The new shirts are being sold near as dammit as cost as we want as many as is humanly possible to wear them. Go to any cycling shop and see what a top quality cycling jersey costs. Or go to enjoy sports website and see what jerseys cost. No one is asking for something for free. Even Slowbee is suggesting it is subsidised in some way by entering the CTCT. Again wearign a high viz top is a start, but it wont change the situation on its own. If every single cyclist in South Africa bought and wore this top, would we still have incidents! The jerseys are part of a wider NATIONAL campaign, PPA is spending R2.5 million over a 4 week period leading up to the cycle tour on this campaign. We have engaged with the authorities and, while I believe we are making progress, these deaths this week are particularly offensive to me as both the roads where highlighted and targeted by us for attention by the authorities. Both occurred in a roadwork section where the road width has been reduced. Good job on making this a National Campaign! We applaud your efforts here! Good work! How can we as the cycling public support the engagement you have on well noted problem areas? More info needs to be published about which areas are road work and accident hotspots and the authorities are aware of, along with what measures they are planning on taking. Unfortunately it is those that are trying to do something about the issue that are picking up the flak. Not because of who you are, but simply because we are frustrated and want to voice this to someone who appears to have our interests at heart! For Wannabe and Bloukrans to use these forums to attack me and the work being coordinated by me as part of a well thought-out and targeted campaign funded by PPA is pretty unnecessary and uncalled for. It reflects more on their nature than me. Play the ball, not the man. This type of interaction is always a fail if you are representing any organisation and someone is question your motives. Rather present the facts and let them make their own conclusions! Despite these short-sighted attacks on PPA's motives, safe cycling is an area that needs most attention in increasing the popularity of cycling in SA and it is an are that will continue to receive funding. The message seems to be that the safe cycling funding is coming from the sale of shirts and not from the financial reserves held by the organisation, or this aspect of the discussion would not have this much traction. Most of us know this not to be the case, but the message is getting lost in the add on justification that is being done! We are not an easy crowd granted, but we are genuinely interested in participation wherever we can!
Hairy Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 So back to the topic of this thread. Riders, what are you doing? Hope you have you lights on when dark, not jumping red lights / stop streets, single file when required, ride within the yellow line when it is available and not on or over it on the road side. Are you talking to people around you about what it is like for a cyclist on the roads. Do you K@K out riders disobeying the rules of the road .... I do, and many in our group do so too. So what are you doing riders? As much as I have commented on the PPA jersey thing and the fact that the regular awareness rides they promised as per my earlier post, they are at least doing something.
Guest Karma Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 So back to the topic of this thread. Riders, what are you doing? Hope you have you lights on when dark, not jumping red lights / stop streets, single file when required, ride within the yellow line when it is available and not on or over it on the road side. Are you talking to people around you about what it is like for a cyclist on the roads. Do you K@K out riders disobeying the rules of the road .... I do, and many in our group do so too. So what are you doing riders? As much as I have commented on the PPA jersey thing and the fact that the regular awareness rides they promised as per my earlier post, they are at least doing something. Agree 100%. I am that guy that calls you out for skipping a red light down Sea Point, deal with it.
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