TNT1 Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 I really think a protest ride is the thing. Stand up and be counted. This was posted on another thread, and got me thinking. What good would a protest ride do? Is that really the way to go about getting your rights as a cyclist protected? I mean as a road user, tax payer, a cyclist has legal rights to road usage. Is a protest ride going to get these rights protected? I spend a lot of time on some American motorcycle forums, and there is a lot of new legislation being passed there that is restriction off road users access to trails. Now the democratic tradition there is to speak to your local lobby groups, and then your state representatives. It bears fruit. Action is taken at law making level. Seems to me that South Africa's democratic culture is to protest. Why are we not advocating speaking to our local councilmen, our provincial legislatures, our duly elected parliamentarians? How are we going to change the democratic culture in this country?
TiBones Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 Mr Niehaus, Mr Malema, Mr. Yengeni and Mr. Zuma? Lets rather protest
HammerHed Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 I couldn't agree with you more. We seem to want to emigrate when the going gets tough, what happened to standing up for ones rights and lobbying politicians to get things changed. People feel that they are politically helpless, but that is rubbish. Look at what Cope has done,they have changed the political landscape in SA by standing up for what they believe in.
TNT1 Posted February 13, 2009 Author Posted February 13, 2009 Mr Niehaus' date=' Mr Malema, Mr. Yengeni and Mr. Zuma? Lets rather protest[/quote'] But can't it be argued that the very reason for many politicians in this country going the route of corruption and ineptitude is because our democratic process was founded on violence and "protest" politics? Surely you can choose to be part of a continuation of that legacy with another "protest" or you can look to be part of a new and truly democratic process?
Captain Slow Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 Why is it that when a person rides next to us with their cellphone to the ear, we just accept it, or when a young child is standing on the front seat without a restraining device, we find that acceptable!! Yes, we need to stand-up for what's right and what's wrong and we need to start looking at ourselves. Once we have done that, let's start making people aware that their behaviour is unacceptable. Believe me, you will be sworn at and verbally abused, but you have planted a seed. Protest rides don't work, but standing up to what's is right & wrong does!!! We are teaching our Children & Grandchildren to act like those we are quick to criticize!!
SwissVan Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 Toyi Toyi'ng as history shows has more chance of success than a protest ride, maybe burn a few tyres while still attached to cars at the same time... When in Roma Johannesburg.... SwissVan2009-02-13 03:04:13
TNT1 Posted February 13, 2009 Author Posted February 13, 2009 Toyi Toyi'ng as history shows has more chance of success than a protest ride' date=' maybe burn a few tyres while still attached to cars at the same time... When in Roma.... [/quote'] Yet another vote for a continuation of the status quo... Sad really. Funny you mention Rome.... All this viewpoint ends in is Nero pissed and playing the fiddle while an empire crumbles and lies in a smoking ruin around him. Not one bit of true freedom and democracy rubbed off on you yet from your time overseas?
NotSoBigBen Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 Flip Bob there you had me standing waiting to be counted .........
zeepee Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 I'd like to see you toy toy in your clickety cleats
TNT1 Posted February 13, 2009 Author Posted February 13, 2009 Protest rides don't work' date=' but standing up to what's is right & wrong does!!! We are teaching our Children & Grandchildren to act like those we are quick to criticize!![/quote'] Agreed. Charity truly begins at home. Let us strive to NOT raise another generation of "protesters".
scotty Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 I really think a protest ride is the thing. Stand up and be counted. This was posted on another thread' date=' and got me thinking. What good would a protest ride do? Is that really the way to go about getting your rights as a cyclist protected? I mean as a road user, tax payer, a cyclist has legal rights to road usage. Is a protest ride going to get these rights protected?I spend a lot of time on some American motorcycle forums, and there is a lot of new legislation being passed there that is restriction off road users access to trails. Now the democratic tradition there is to speak to your local lobby groups, and then your state representatives. It bears fruit. Action is taken at law making level.Seems to me that South Africa's democratic culture is to protest. Why are we not advocating speaking to our local councilmen, our provincial legislatures, our duly elected parliamentarians?How are we going to change the democratic culture in this country? [/quote'] Passing legislation is the easy part, adherence and enforcement is the difficult part.
TNT1 Posted February 13, 2009 Author Posted February 13, 2009 Passing legislation is the easy part' date=' adherence and enforcement is the difficult part. [/quote'] But protesting consumes resources that could otherwise be employed in enforcing those laws. You need to stay on your local councilors' backs till they get commitment from local law enforcement that cyclists rights are upheld. Just a thought.
TNT1 Posted February 13, 2009 Author Posted February 13, 2009 Jeez I read Swissvan's post as a joke' date=' [/quote'] Maybe I reacted harshly, but I'm C for serious. Hence not posted in chitchat...
droo Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 'S true, Bob. There's no point randomly bitching about things, even if it does make you feel better about your own sh*t cause you have a bunch of like-minded whingers who agree with you. Creating awareness is one thing, which is why I do and will continue to ride the critical mass, but there comes a point when concrete action needs to be taken. Speak to someone who can actually do something. If that doesn't work, speak to his/her boss. Even if you climb all the way up the tree and nothing happens, at least you have done a) all you can; and b) more than the poephol burning tyres and dancing about cos he gets a day off work.
scotty Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 Passing legislation is the easy part' date=' adherence and enforcement is the difficult part. [/quote']But protesting consumes resources that could otherwise be employed in enforcing those laws. You need to stay on your local councilors' backs till they get commitment from local law enforcement that cyclists rights are upheld.Just a thought. I suppose i could protest that the local law enforcement are not upholding cyclists rights.
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