What now after all the black armbands were worn???

[Lucky Luke.]

Expecting 40,000 cyclists to stop at red lights on Argus morning when traffic in town is minimal to none anyway is like complaining about Jaywalking at the carnival in Rio.

 

Personally I am less worried about fastidious adherence to stop signs and robots and far more worried about not getting squashed by poorly driven cars.

 

I accept that it's important to obey the rules of the road in order for us to have the moral highground in this debate but I don't know of any drivers who have suffered injury in any way shape or form due to cyclists not obeying the rules of the road.

 

Naturally it's a conceivable scenario but I haven't seen it in the press or in the countless hours I've spent on the road. Conversely I've seen way too much of the other side of the coin.

 

[Guest Big H]

My GF dropped me off in Roeland street' date=' about 3 blocks from the start. We were early so I stayed with her for about 30 minutes. In those 30 minutes I might have seen 10 cyclists stop at the red traffic light where we were waiting. In that time probably 1000 cyclist past us, heading towards the start of which HALF ignored the red traffic light and the other half just so happened to get it green.

The point I want to make is that we(people who want to obey the law and have others do the same) are the minority.
The bulk of cyclist in SA doesn't give 2 cents about road laws or safety.

How do you instil a sense of responsibility into a culture of disregard?
[/quote']

 

If there is one exeption to the rule on ARGUS race day morning it is that the city centre in the close vicinity to the start and finish belongs to the cyclists and is unofficially part of the route. It has always been as such. Although there are traffic around cyclists are curteous and polite as well as the motorists who are mostly cyclists themselves or family of the cyclists.

 

I am not condoning abuse of traffic laws by posting this...... but this day is different.

[scotty]

My GF dropped me off in Roeland street' date=' about 3 blocks from the start. We were early so I stayed with her for about 30 minutes. In those 30 minutes I might have seen 10 cyclists stop at the red traffic light where we were waiting. In that time probably 1000 cyclist past us, heading towards the start of which HALF ignored the red traffic light and the other half just so happened to get it green.

The point I want to make is that we(people who want to obey the law and have others do the same) are the minority.
The bulk of cyclist in SA doesn't give 2 cents about road laws or safety.

How do you instil a sense of responsibility into a culture of disregard?
[/quote']

 

If there is one exeption to the rule on ARGUS race day morning it is that the city centre in the close vicinity to the start and finish belongs to the cyclists and is unofficially part of the route. It has always been as such. Although there are traffic around cyclists are curteous and polite as well as the motorists who are mostly cyclists themselves or family of the cyclists.

 

I am not condoning abuse of traffic laws by posting this...... but this day is different.

I would agree ensuring that its safe and there is no impact on other road users. On cycle morning there are very few (non cyclists) cars anyhow.

[MaxUmis]

Case and point.

 

 

 

Remember it's St. Patricks day today.

 

What law is okay to be broken today?

[Kranswurm]

Case and point. ??????

Remember it's St. Patricks day today.
What law is okay to be broken today?

Its Lent

[Sammajoor]

 

My GF dropped me off in Roeland street' date=' about 3 blocks from the start. We were early so I stayed with her for about 30 minutes. In those 30 minutes I might have seen 10 cyclists stop at the red traffic light where we were waiting. In that time probably 1000 cyclist past us, heading towards the start of which HALF ignored the red traffic light and the other half just so happened to get it green.

 

 

 

The point I want to make is that we(people who want to obey the law and have others do the same) are the minority.

 

The bulk of cyclist in SA doesn't give 2 cents about road laws or safety.

 

 

 

How do you instil a sense of responsibility into a culture of disregard?

 

[/quote']

 

Had a big rant and rave on the Saturday morning with the cyclists jumping red lights, riding like complete @ssholes with total disregard for the motorists.. and do not get me started on the one or two schmucks riding without a helmet

 

Sometimes we are our own WORST enemies

 

[bubblesm]

In my view, ranting and raving about what cyclists do wrong/right and what motorists do wrong/right is not going to solve any problems and/or bring on any action.  We need to stop living in a culture where we keep on pointing out the obvious problems, but don't do anything about it.

 

I also drive a motorbike, and there are many, many, many motorbike skills clinics, and also road safety and awareness courses for motorbikers.  They teach you how to do emergency braking, how to be aware of motorists and what goes on around you, and typically all the tips that Shaun has posted on his sign-up website.

 

Keep in mind however that not all cyclists are on the hub, and many, many cyclists only train for 94.7 and Argus, and will maybe do a race or two inbetween to test their fitness.  Perhaps similar cycling clinics would help?  When we bought my husbands 1000CC (motorbike for those who don't know), we automatically got a free track day pass, where they also teach all these things.  Maybe we should start building in a program like this?  Can we also not start working, nagging, whatever is necessary traffic departments to start including as part of your learners/drivers awareness of objects that are not 4 wheeled or more?

 

Just a couple of thoughts, but perhaps starting a committee and starting plans of actions would be a better chance at success than just pointing out the he did she did problems?

[Lucky Luke.]

Totally agree! Education and action is the way forward not random finger pointing.

[johannrissik]

bubblesm: What a breath of fresh air. Yes, let's move away from the fingerpointing and get behind one solid, united body. Sign-Up seems to be that.

[madmarc]

The black arm bands was a failure because it was started to late and a lot of cyclists had no idea what it was for. Not many cyclists new about the incident in Oudtshoorn. If it was handled differently we would have had better results.

E.G. if someone had sold black armbands at the expo for 5 ronds and dontated a portion of the money to the next of kin we would have seen more being worn on race day and more people would have known whats it all about.

 

Safety issues need to dealt with at club level, with each club having a safety sub committee dealing with the clubs safety. Their group rides need to have ride marshals and safety back up vehicles. It's a big task and takes time to change the mindset of club members.

In our club we have always had ride marshals, but never really made safety a priority - 2010 has seen a safety committee put in place to institute a safety protocol as a top priority in the club. We now have a safety vehicle on each club ride with ride marshals, almost everyone wears ICEID and we are certainly stopping at almost all the red robots, hopefully by the end of the year we will have an almost perfect safety regime that all club members adhere to. Its not perfect but at least we are doing something.

 

Single individuals trying to get this whole safety issue must be commended, but in all honesty, the job is far to big for 1 or 2 individuals to do properly. It takes time and money - and can be more effective if clubs take on the responsibility of getting proper safety protocols into their constitution

 

I just visited the sign-up web sight and when i see the amount of cycling clubs who have contributed towrds signage i think it is piss poor and clear that most clubs don't give a sh*t about their members safety.

 

We financed 10 signs in the east rand - No other club has come forward to add to this. and when you consider how many clubs are in the east rand we could easly have signed all the popular cycling routes by now.

 

But as i said they don't give a sh*t - all they interseted in is riding; racing; jumping red robots; screaming at motorists and getting to coffee at the local M&B

 

 

[AndreZA]

 

Its Lent

 

 

 

Lent is only due at the end of the month, you plick.

[Guest coenie]

 

My GF dropped me off in Roeland street' date=' about 3 blocks from the start. We were early so I stayed with her for about 30 minutes. In those 30 minutes I might have seen 10 cyclists stop at the red traffic light where we were waiting. In that time probably 1000 cyclist past us, heading towards the start of which HALF ignored the red traffic light and the other half just so happened to get it green.

 

 

 

The point I want to make is that we(people who want to obey the law and have others do the same) are the minority.

 

The bulk of cyclist in SA doesn't give 2 cents about road laws or safety.

 

 

 

How do you instil a sense of responsibility into a culture of disregard?

 

[/quote']

 

Had a big rant and rave on the Saturday morning with the cyclists jumping red lights, riding like complete @ssholes with total disregard for the motorists.. and do not get me started on the one or two schmucks riding without a helmet

 

Sometimes we are our own WORST enemies

 

Why are you worried if someone else does not wear a helmet? do you shout at the drivers who do not wear a safety belt?

 

[shaunh]

 

Where do we get the stickers in Cape Town Shaun?

 

 

 

 

I can post to you from Jo'burg. I placed a notice on the Hub about meeting in Blouberg but nobody responded.

sorry could not meet up with you on sunday. left pretty soon after i finished.still would like a sticker but also willing to play cape town distributor if you need one.

 

 

 

That will be great. Send me your postal details and I will post you a batch

[GoLefty!!]

sending a PM now

[Guest Big H]

My GF dropped me off in Roeland street' date=' about 3 blocks from the start. We were early so I stayed with her for about 30 minutes. In those 30 minutes I might have seen 10 cyclists stop at the red traffic light where we were waiting. In that time probably 1000 cyclist past us, heading towards the start of which HALF ignored the red traffic light and the other half just so happened to get it green.

The point I want to make is that we(people who want to obey the law and have others do the same) are the minority.
The bulk of cyclist in SA doesn't give 2 cents about road laws or safety.

How do you instil a sense of responsibility into a culture of disregard?
[/quote']

Had a big rant and rave on the Saturday morning with the cyclists jumping red lights, riding like complete @ssholes with total disregard for the motorists.. and do not get me started on the one or two schmucks riding without a helmet

Sometimes we are our own WORST enemies

Why are you worried if someone else does not wear a helmet? do you shout at the drivers who do not wear a safety belt?

 

Ignore...... coenie NOT making sense again!!!!!!!