Mr X Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 I have my doubts whether campaigning efforts make any difference to the possibility of accidents at all. Bus, taxi, truck and most other drivers will not even know about the campaign, and even those that know about it might not change their driving ways. The fact is more and more drivers are on the roads each month with more traffic and more bad driving and a general lawlessness and aggression, so more accidents because of this. Campaign till you are blue in the face the accidents with cyclists will continue as long as cyclists share the road with other traffic. I understand that people love road cycling but I am of the opinion that road cycling as a sport is just too dangerous in places like SA where the roads are extremely dangerous. I have given up road cycling because of the danger and I only do mtb now - this is the only real way to make it safer.
Hairy Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 I have my doubts whether campaigning efforts make any difference to the possibility of accidents at all. Bus, taxi, truck and most other drivers will not even know about the campaign, and even those that know about it might not change their driving ways. The fact is more and more drivers are on the roads each month with more traffic and more bad driving and a general lawlessness and aggression, so more accidents because of this. Campaign till you are blue in the face the accidents with cyclists will continue as long as cyclists share the road with other traffic. I understand that people love road cycling but I am of the opinion that road cycling as a sport is just too dangerous in places like SA where the roads are extremely dangerous. I have given up road cycling because of the danger and I only do mtb now - this is the only real way to make it safer.That is a very real statement! Education of the nations drivers is essential. When the law came out stating no drivers are to use cell phones while driving, there was a real push by the arm of the law and many drivers being fined. If you look at the vast majority of drivers out there, they drive and text or talk on their cell phones with reckless abandon. It is easy for the arm of the law to stop and fine a driver for using his/her cell, but how can he apply that to seeing a car coming close to a cyclist? Can it be argued that the officer might have miss judged the perceived 1m when the case goes to court and it gets thrown out? Is the only way to prove the driver was breaking the 1m law after they drive into you? If a car hits a cyclist they are / should be automatically in the wrong, granted the cyclist was cycling within the realms of the law too.
Guest Smimby Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 It;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. Why do people that do something for free always get this attitude when they get a few negative comments, I see it in clubs also, people make themselves available for the committee/ Body Corp. etc And then the moment someone ask Why this, or why not that, the response is "do you know I do this for free?" or " I have a full time job also, and I am doing my best" If you CHOOSE to be there, make sure you can take the flak, and remember your "customer" is the MEMBERS who elected you.
Slowbee 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! Carbon29er, make no mistake, you have my utmost respect for doing what you are doing and I will be buying a shirt at the expo. I support the campaign. So please dont get the wrong end of the stick. I am just joe soap Mr Cyclist. And to echo what Tubehunter is saying - YOU are the first person from the PPA that I know off who is taking them time to come onto a thread and interact with us, Joe Soap cyclist public. Has it put you in the hot seat HELL YES ! Did you want to be in the hot seat HELL NO, because you are doing the best you can and I for one respect that. As you say it is those who are doing something that are taking the flak. As an aside, the camps bay thread had over 16000 views, the kalk bay thread in one day alone has over 2500 views, this thread has over 400. So let me be the first to say that alot of what you are saying is going into the hearts and minds of alot of hubbers who might not be posting, but reading and postively influenced. Only a few are interacting with you, and rightly crying out for more. Dont loose heart, and try not get to negatively influenced by those that dont always agree. This is hubland afterall.... *right now I am off to work so behave chaps and chapettes, the BIG boss is watching and he is kinda grumpy today
Guest Smimby 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.If you K@K on other riders surely the HUB will tell you mind you own business? The ONLY people who notice the awareness ride is other cyclist, motorist do not see the anything but a bunch of cyclist, they do not see any "awareness ride" I see what people what to achieve, I just think that more signs should be erected telling motorists they cycling laws. Just like there should be signs about cigarette stompies being chucked out the window. MANY people don't know that it is against the law. The law gets passed / written on a piece of paper and that little radio time and then that is it. If someone did not hear it or has been oversees for a year, they don't KNOW about it. Now just ONE question, in the bold sentence above you are actually asking cyclist to break the law?:-)
johannrissik Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 Maybe The Cycle Tour Trust could use some of the 20mil in their kitty to fund some lawyers to make an example of some of these reckless drivers? Enough is bloody enough! Stay wider of the riders se moer... people no longer understand nice requests, what is required is a solid life changing PK that will actually make people think twice about taking chances with other peoples lives!Nou praat jy, Engelsman!
Hairy Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 If you K@K on other riders surely the HUB will tell you mind you own business? The ONLY people who notice the awareness ride is other cyclist, motorist do not see the anything but a bunch of cyclist, they do not see any "awareness ride" I see what people what to achieve, I just think that more signs should be erected telling motorists they cycling laws. Just like there should be signs about cigarette stompies being chucked out the window. MANY people don't know that it is against the law. The law gets passed / written on a piece of paper and that little radio time and then that is it. If someone did not hear it or has been oversees for a year, they don't KNOW about it. Now just ONE question, in the bold sentence above you are actually asking cyclist to break the law?:-)I am asking cyclists to stay alive.
Tubehunter Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 Why does the PPA not START with a campaign at the MYCITI and GOLDEN ARROW bus depots. Lobby the heck out of the Management structure there until they get drivers to sit a Q & A session and get all these issues discussed. Once that is done take that model into the companies servicing the transport at the CT harbour and then some of the main construction companies with fleets of construction vehicles. Start spreading this to the people who need to hear it most and get their Management to buy into the aims of this initiative!
Hairy Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 Why does the PPA not START with a campaign at the MYCITI and GOLDEN ARROW bus depots. Lobby the heck out of the Management structure there until they get drivers to sit a Q & A session and get all these issues discussed. Once that is done take that model into the companies servicing the transport at the CT harbour and then some of the main construction companies with fleets of construction vehicles. Start spreading this to the people who need to hear it most and get their Management to buy into the aims of this initiative!get the Occupational Health guys/girls involved?
Wannabe Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 Why does the PPA not START with a campaign at the MYCITI and GOLDEN ARROW bus depots. Lobby the heck out of the Management structure there until they get drivers to sit a Q & A session and get all these issues discussed. Once that is done take that model into the companies servicing the transport at the CT harbour and then some of the main construction companies with fleets of construction vehicles. Start spreading this to the people who need to hear it most and get their Management to buy into the aims of this initiative! Give this man a bottle of Bells!!
Wannabe Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 I typed a whole, rational reply to carbon29er's post about my character ( ), but I'm having issues with my PC, not allowing me to post (firewall problem) Tried to copy and paste a few times, but then I lost the whole caboodle.This might not be a bad thing. So I'm gonna butt out of this one. Just a pity that I'm now not allowed to join the awareness ride on the 28'th.
Tubehunter Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 get the Occupational Health guys/girls involved? The OHS crew in any company love this kind of thing! They will take it to the next level!
Red Zone Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 Helen Zille cant do everything, Brett Herron is the Mayco member for transport. He needs to act on this. Its time already @brettherron Another Cyclist killed on our roads this morning. I am on my knees, please something needs to be done
Bankie99 Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 I typed a whole, rational reply to carbon29er's post about my character ( ), but I'm having issues with my PC, not allowing me to post (firewall problem) Tried to copy and paste a few times, but then I lost the whole caboodle.This might not be a bad thing. So I'm gonna butt out of this one. Just a pity that I'm now not allowed to join the awareness ride on the 28'th. Such a hooligan at times!!
Guest Smimby Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 I am asking cyclists to stay alive.I know :-) But "technically" you are asking them to obey and break the law in the same sentence
Hairy Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 I know :-) But "technically" you are asking them to obey and break the law in the same sentenceso should we be lobbying to make it legal for a bicycle to travel in the yellow lane then?
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.