Cradle Incident: Know this cyclist?

[Fat Boab]

This seems fair but surely it should also incumbent on the authorities to ensure that the cycle lanes are in a good state of repair and free of debris?

 

I can't remember whether the red flags and bases were removed by 'the authorities' or just a concerned citizen/group, but there was a online campaign related to it prior to their removal. And yes, I agree that it would be nice if the state, or whoever, would look after us all better, but if we're looking to blame someone, we've missed the point. We can all do our bit to resolve the current, and historical cyclist/motorist situation across the country - I'm not referring specifically to the alleged assault from this thread - and it starts with our behaviour.

 

I for one, will endeavour to use my middle digit less, in clearly a negative confrontational way, and my thumb more in a 'thank you' way, starting with my Cradle ride this afternoon. 

[Bateleur1]

Well exactly, quoting the law will not change the perception of cyclists.

 

Changing our behavior will!

 

I disagree.  I saw loads of cyclists applying the law on a daily basis. NOT ONCE have I ever heard a motorists say "Hey today I saw this law abiding cyclist".  People like to generalise when they are not in the group they like to generalise on.

[Bateleur1]

I can't remember whether the red flags and bases were removed by 'the authorities' or just a concerned citizen/group, but there was a online campaign related to it prior to their removal. And yes, I agree that it would be nice if the state, or whoever, would look after us all better, but if we're looking to blame someone, we've missed the point. We can all do our bit to resolve the current, and historical cyclist/motorist situation across the country - I'm not referring specifically to the alleged assault from this thread - and it starts with our behaviour.

 

I for one, will endeavour to use my middle digit less, in clearly a negative confrontational way, and my thumb more in a 'thank you' way, starting with my Cradle ride this afternoon. 

 

Yes!! Motorists and Cyclists and Pedestrians.  Not just one group.

[Patchelicious]

Yes!! Motorists and Cyclists and Pedestrians.  Not just one group.

Nobody is saying just one group. But cyclists can change the way they behave, they cannot change the way motorists behave, same with pedestrians.

 

If you truly want change make it, dont tell other people to make it.

[Patchelicious]

I disagree.  I saw loads of cyclists applying the law on a daily basis. NOT ONCE have I ever heard a motorists say "Hey today I saw this law abiding cyclist".  People like to generalise when they are not in the group they like to generalise on.

Nobody points out good behavior, only bad behaviour gets attention, so lets minimise the bad behaviour on our side, thereby minimizing the negativity around cyclists.

 

There will always be bad cyclists/motorists/pedestrians but that does not mean that we cannot try and improve on it.

[nonky]

I must say it is quite appropriate that this neanderthal like behaviour is taking place in the Cradle. Mrs. Ples would have been so proud. 

 

So happy that someone mentioned the ornithology angle...

[Fat Boab]

So happy that someone mentioned the ornithology angle...

 

She was a tough chick.....

[Mojoman]

So happy that someone mentioned the ornithology angle...

Back in the day.....We could ride wherever we wanted....

[Bateleur1]

Nobody points out good behavior, only bad behaviour gets attention, so lets minimise the bad behaviour on our side, thereby minimizing the negativity around cyclists.

 

There will always be bad cyclists/motorists/pedestrians but that does not mean that we cannot try and improve on it.

 

For sure.  Lead by example.  I just don't see the general SA motorists changing their attitudes.

[DoomedUser]

Just drive out on Lynwood towards Hazeldean early on a Saturday morning and on the Boschkop road in a car, and witness the fitness for yourself. Cyclists all over the road.

 

[droo]

Nobody is saying just one group. But cyclists can change the way they behave, they cannot change the way motorists behave, same with pedestrians.

 

If you truly want change make it, dont tell other people to make it.

 

Here is one that understands. Please teach a few others, and get them to pass the message on. Also, have a Bells on me.

 

For sure.  Lead by example.  I just don't see the general SA motorists changing their attitudes.

 

As a famous short bald guy in flip flops once said, "Be the change you want to see in the world." Also, "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind."

 

If everyone waits for the other guy to do it we'll just continue to go backwards.

[Patchelicious]

The one thing that we can take from the thread, is that the majority of cyclists here seem like good people who want create an enviroment of mutual respect with other road users.

 

This is 90% of the battle won because we have intention, good intention!

 

We just need the motorists to see and understand this too.

[Bateleur1]

Here is one that understands. Please teach a few others, and get them to pass the message on. Also, have a Bells on me.

 

 

As a famous short bald guy in flip flops once said, "Be the change you want to see in the world." Also, "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind."

 

If everyone waits for the other guy to do it we'll just continue to go backwards.

 

As I said.  Lead by example. I did not once say we should not do our bit to change.  I just said it will not help if only one group polices themselves.

[droo]

As I said.  Lead by example. I did not once say we should not do our bit to change.  I just said it will not help if only one group polices themselves.

 

It will make less people hate us as a group, which kinda helps.

 

Correcting the behavior of all the knob heads on the road (no matter what they drive, even feet) is unlikely without heavy artillery and Clockwork Orange style screenings of "Why entitlement as a concept needs to be burnt at the stake," but incremental improvements are better than nothing.

[Bateleur1]

The one thing that we can take from the thread, is that the majority of cyclists here seem like good people who want create an enviroment of mutual respect with other road users.

 

This is 90% of the battle won because we have intention, good intention!

 

We just need the motorists to see and understand this too.

 

And lets be honest.  Well unless things changed radically in the last 18 months my general experience was that the majority of motorists were actually also quite cool and wel behaved and even generous.  If I have to be honest I could mention many incidents where motorists were actually polite and nice.  There was however a steady increase in unpleasant instinces but still only the minority of motorists.

 

I just wish I could let some of you experience cycling in my valley here.  Just to see how easy it actually is to achieve a fairly safe cycling environment.

[dirtrider]

Ok this thread did not go the way I thought !! So I take it we not going to stone a few cagers or beat-up misbehaving cyclists . We just all going to behave and follow the rules of the road ?