What the Greyhound racing ban means for NSW cycling

[mikesbytes]

Applying the Greyhound logic we need the support of the Nationals to win over the Libs

Or perhaps we need the support of the gambling industry?

[il padrone]

Mike Baird - Minister for Live-baiting

[Mulger bill]

Looks like that low hanging fruit was politically toxic hmmm...

Good interview on Aunty radio in Sydney, Glover asked him if he or Alan Drones was the premier...

[bychosis]

Now it means that you can back down. There is hope for the helmet laws and stupid fines.

[gorilla monsoon]

Now it means that you can back down. There is hope for the helmet laws and stupid fines.

Don't be silly, the animal killers have political clout, something we as a collective do not.

[bychosis]

Now it means that you can back down. There is hope for the helmet laws and stupid fines.

Don't be silly, the animal killers have political clout, something we as a collective do not.

Of course, not much hope, but some.

[ironhanglider]

Politicians can be manipulated. Who knew?

Cheers,

Cameron

[mikesbytes]

Now it means that you can back down. There is hope for the helmet laws and stupid fines.

Don't be silly, the animal killers have political clout, something we as a collective do not.

Of course, not much hope, but some.

It would be interesting to see some analysis on what exactly the Greyhound industry did to get the political clout and perhaps we can learn a little on how to improve ours

[bychosis]

It would be interesting to see some analysis on what exactly the Greyhound industry did to get the political clout and perhaps we can learn a little on how to improve ours

It's probably one of those 'old boys club' things. You know down the pub on Fri night and a few drinks and a punt on the dogs with the 'boys' from the old days, or after a round of golf. Another generation or two and cycling might be getting there, after all it is the new golf isnt it? 'The public' apparently only see bunches of lyrca clad doctors on carbon fibre as cycling but 'everyone' loves a punt on the dogs (not me)

Combine that with the conspiracy theory that the govt wanted the dog tracks back to sell off and develop.

[silentC]

We will never know what went on behind closed doors, unless someone decides to leap upon their sword and become a whistle blower, and even then...

On the face of it Baird has been made to realise that banning the industry is going to cause a lot of suffering for people who were not involved in the illegal practices. That is what we have been told. All else is speculation. It is just assumed, because we distrust our politicians to the extent we do, that there has been some corruption, collusion, or coercion behind the scenes to explain it. Highly likely there has, we probably will never know.

Therefore I can't see how any strategy to help cycling could be derived from it, even if we knew the details, because if the conspiracy theories are true, you can't make that part of your public strategy!

[BJL]

We will never know what went on behind closed doors, unless someone decides to leap upon their sword and become a whistle blower, and even then...

On the face of it Baird has been made to realise that banning the industry is going to cause a lot of suffering for people who were not involved in the illegal practices. !

Illegal practices - Considering that killing a dog by hitting it on the head with a hammer is considered 'humane' and legal in this !! BAN ME NOW FOR SWEARING !! of a country, just because it's 'legal' doesn't say much.

[silentC]

Legality is one thing and it's pretty clear and specific. It either is or it isn't, or a court will decide. I know that inhumane disposal of an animal is a crime. A guy was convicted of it last year for using a rock.

Morals and ethics are another thing altogether and personal opinions will vary.

[mikesbytes]

There's ways of getting rid of cycling without technically banning it. Require all bicycles to have CTP green slips and cycling is dead.

Unfortunately we need political clout to protect ourselves

[warthog1]

Now it means that you can back down. There is hope for the helmet laws and stupid fines.

Don't be silly, the animal killers have political clout, something we as a collective do not.

Of course, not much hope, but some.

The hope lies with the loss of face and popularity this will bring to the govt.
Hopefully it's electorally damaging and the rot may set in.
You need them gone.
The alternative govt can't be worse for cycling than the current cretins.

[mikesbytes]

I'm still thinking there is something behind the scenes that we can learn from. I'm not saying we adopt their tactics

[ironhanglider]

Don't be silly, the animal killers have political clout, something we as a collective do not.

Of course, not much hope, but some.

The hope lies with the loss of face and popularity this will bring to the govt.
Hopefully it's electorally damaging and the rot may set in.
You need them gone.
The alternative govt can't be worse for cycling than the current cretins.

Oh no. You've gone and set them a challenge.

Cheers,

Cameron

[mikesbytes]

The recent mailed survey has shown that the majority are willing to support a minority group and at the same time it shows that the majority can be divided and bitter in that support/opposition.

Is this a sign that we can win over the majority? [please don't discuss the survey itself, this thread is not about that]

[mikesbytes]

The tragic death of a cyclist in Newcastle who slipped on the tram tracks made me think about this thread

The solution was to ban cyclists from that location rather than fix the problem, which is in line with what this thread is about. It sets the scene for cyclists to be banned from anywhere there's a potential for a death, which as NSW cyclists make up less than 1% voting population can be done without political backlash. And will they be banning motorists from intersections where Motorists have been killed?

[mikesbytes]

The banning of cyclists has spread to Sydney where cyclists have been banned from parts of the new tram route but its OK to drive. Once again its easier to ban a minority group rather than fix the issue

[fat and old]

What’s wrong with you Sydney blokes? Bloody soft if you ask me oooo tram tracks!!!

[familyguy]

The tragic death of a cyclist in Newcastle who slipped on the tram tracks made me think about this thread

The solution was to ban cyclists from that location rather than fix the problem, which is in line with what this thread is about. It sets the scene for cyclists to be banned from anywhere there's a potential for a death, which as NSW cyclists make up less than 1% voting population can be done without political backlash. And will they be banning motorists from intersections where Motorists have been killed?

You called it Mike.

What’s wrong with you Sydney blokes? Bloody soft if you ask me oooo tram tracks!!!

Want to swap state governments for a while? No, wait, you're in Victoria...keep your non-MPDL lackeys!

I think a lot of people here just don't know how to ride tram tracks yet. Plus the fact that they've put them in unavoidable places, not like some Melbourne areas where you have tram tracks centrally with space either side for cars/bikes/etc. Here it's footpath/trams/footpath an bugger everyone else. That's what happens when you insert infra 50 years after the fact.

Jim

[hunch]

The ban on George St seems idiotic, really the best, most level street in the CBD for riding. Prior to the light rail, you were faster than the traffic on a bike, the new roadway isn't compromised by the adjacent tracks, so no obvious safety issue when I rode it the other day....certainly the other bloke I caught up to at the lights thought it was a quick safe ride too. I bet there's more issues with cars and vans illegally stopping in these single lanes or blocking intersections for the trams, than bikes when the thing is fully functional!

Begs the question, what happens at all the cross streets, expected to dismount and walk through the intersections? That will win motorist friendship.

[fat and old]

Want to swap state governments for a while? No, wait, you're in Victoria...keep your non-MPDL lackeys!

Jim

And how's that enforcement going up there?

Nah, seriously...I think you're right re experience. Unfortunately in this world you won't get the time to gain any.

I've said it time and time again.....don't use OH&S to argue cycling safety. Don't use workcover. Don't talk about risk assessments. You'll lose. If bicycles were invented today think they'd even allow them on the roads? Unfortunately, all these bans do is reinforce my belief in my position.

[familyguy]

Hey, we've had at least 14 offences registered for close passing! Though...pretty sure one of the users here was responsible for spoon-feeding 4 of them to the NSWPD to avoid them claiming it was all too hard and ignoring it...