What do you think can be done to improve the situation?
Apart from whine about the whiners?
I’m really not sure if there’s any way some of these
can be done, but if so:
Legal representation at cases such as Mike Halls ( anyone who’s been run down and killed). Serious questioning of the evidence. Can this be done.
Again, at that inquest: I read that Cycle went along in some sort of support capacity. I note that this inquest was widely covered by national and international media. Where were the protesters? Where were the placards and banners? A photo opp gone begging. Any other inquest, the same. Banners. Noise.
Protest rides. Seen many, been to a few. The over riding consideration? Don’t be confrontational. Don’t be inconsiderate. Yeah, right. !! BAN ME NOW FOR SWEARING !! that. The Alberto ride should have been down Royal Pde, up Collins and block Spring St. Banners. Placards. Noise. There’s a news article about a possible street/road closure to bikes, for safety? Daily protest rides. Banners. Noise. Jesus H Christ, where’s the effort these days? Coming from a left/ union background I just don’t get it.
What happens when we are vilified and targeted in the media? 20 or so people whine on a forum. 20 or so whine on Facebook while thumping their chest. Cycling Tips publishes an “expose” that gives them publicity. How about next time one of these moron radio jerks carries on one of the advocacy groups initiated legal action? No threats, just straight action. Surely an intelligent mouthpiece can identify a law that’s being broken? Or at least tries? I’m being vilified here. People are being encouraged to do me harm.
On passing laws. So the police won’t listen. So we have to write letters to the supervisor, the chief, the minister etc. Pffft. How about those letters are done by legal representation? Can’t an advocacy group organise that?
Can’t all of this be done with the media....mainstream media; not cycling media; being involved? Are none of these groups capable of putting the information together and presenting it? Oh yeah, and name names!!!! Hold people responsible for their actions. Mr X? !! BAN ME NOW FOR SWEARING !! that you pussies. “A bike shop over there...” Pffft.
Next time someone is killed, can the person responsible be sued civil style? Does this happen already? Do the advocacy groups supply advice on this?
When there are forums and conferences on cycling, where are the protesters? Why isn’t the opportunity to gain media exposure not taken?
When Tony Abbott and friends are riding about on their pollie ride thing, where are the protesters? Where are the signs, the banners, the pictures of dead cyclists? What’s stopping our advocates being confrontational?
If I was a 12 yo Indigenous child I could get MHL’s repealed. If I followed the correct religion I could get an exemption and not wear a helmet. I’m neither, and have no influential backers to champion my plight. So disruption is my only option. You know, there was a story in the news tonight: food delivery cyclists using citilink (again) That was the headline. After a few minutes of talk and cctv of these idiots....8 of them last month.....the talking head notes that there’s also an average of 11!!!! pedestrians per week doing the same. And that while cycling deaths are up 80% this year whilst ped and car deaths stay at +/- 5% yearly.....with the obvious inference that it’s our own fault! And some advocacy dick interviewed carries on about sham contracts!!!! Ok, so the media twists the truth. So where’s the protests? The noise outside their office? The pointing out of the truth?
And there’s a public gallery in all parliamentary upper and lower houses. Google what the Dutch did in those places in the 70’s....hint: they didn’t have a camp fire and sing folk songs while holding candles.
Edit: look at the post above for a comprehensive list of crap people don’t care about. No offence to the poster, but cycling ain’t gonna save country towns, and people would rather pay more for an apartment with parking than cycle. Deal with it and make plans based on reality, not some utopian ideal.
We’re on our own here, best understand that and act accordingly. It will be a long time (if ever) before people give up their cars.