Local Cyclists Should Take Note Of “Give Respect, Get Respect” Campaign
Local cyclists concerned about how some people treat them on the road, should take note of a new initiative launched overseas. The ‘Give Respect, Get Respect’ campaign in Philadelphia, is aimed at socially unacceptable behaviour – something we have been quite vocal about here at 2oceansvibe.
The Give Respect, Get Respect campaign aimed at promoting and enforcing the peaceful coexistence of motorists, cyclists and pedestrians is kicking into gear and has started cracking down on bicyclists.
A traffic-enforcement team of bike cops stopped 803 cyclists and motorists from its May 16 launch. Of those, 600 were cyclists.
Of the cyclists stopped, 590 were issued warnings, while three were cited for moving violations, which commonly include running red lights or riding against traffic and carry the same fine as they do for motorists.
Do you understand that? It’s about respect. It’s about give and take. It’s about, dare I say, karma. Essentially, this issue is a two way street.
A similar campaign has been launched in New Zealand. See more at the stopatred.org.nz website.
Much like local taxis receiving a blanket hate from most motorists, when in fact there are a handful of polite taxi drivers out there; there is a LARGE handful (note: not all) of local cyclists who insist on cycling through red traffic lights. You guys are ruining it for everyone else. Why are YOU so different? Why don’t YOU care if children see what you’re doing and want to do the same on their first modes of transport? You know why?
But then you moan when some people treat you like shit on the road? Please – you don’t have a leg to stand on. Do you think these desperate initiatives would be launching all over the world if you were in the right? If you weren’t such a selfish prick?
So, to the cyclists out there ruining it for everyone else – Give respect and you’ll get respect.
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13 Comments
Flea
21 Jul 2011
Having lived in Denmark, cycling heaven, I have very little respect for cyclists here. The “think bike” campaign is a joke when cyclists seem to think that road rules don’t apply to them.
Stop at red, indicate when you turn, ride single file.
Would really love to see more people using cycling as daily transport here in CT, and learning the rules too.
Bruce
21 Jul 2011
Nice article but unfortunately tainted with unnessesary underlining and capitalised text. Rather use stronger words and not the ones you used to end in a rant.
Another note, this respect you refer to as a two way street is currently a one way cul de sac.
Respect comes from sharing the road as equal users. Cyclist and pedestrians dont have an equal divvy of our roads in SA. Pedestrians are also offenders of traffic laws & victims of selfish drivers. As an enlightened motorist I have to admit we are striken with the worst kind of pride, expecting everyone to move out of our way as we carve a self-righteous parth through traffic with our chariots.
I agree that one should obey the traffic laws but no-one seems to mind a jogger j-walking on their training run. In the same way a cyclist training (breaks the law) by jumping a red light. I think your article referencing the campaigns from the States and NZ is great motivation for us to choose to do the right thing and obey the traffic laws. However, your obvious tone and schoolboy choice of words that ends your article exposes your prejudice as a road user.
Get back on your bike.
I prefer the slogan: Share the road.
Seth
21 Jul 2011
Thanks Bruce. Indeed. And how sad it is that we have been pushed to this point..
grumpy lemon
21 Jul 2011
As a cyclist I completely agree with this, however i think we should extend this to all users of our roads. The current lack of respect on our roads & lawlessness is appalling!
thnx
Grumpy Lemon
Fran
21 Jul 2011
Great article Seth, I share your exact feelings. @Bruce, I assume you are a cyclist after reading your comment. A few questions: why do cyclists always feel that they are superior and they are somehow better than everyone else on the road? Why do a bunch of cyclists riding together wear the same ski pants and outfits? I don’t go out with my mates on a Saturday evening all dressed the same. How do they know that they should wear that specific outfit on the specific day? do they sms each other before the time? or do they all decide on mixit? Why can’t they all cycle in a neat row behind each other, especially on narrow roads such as Chapman’s Peak instead of taking up half the road in a big identical colour coded bunch? PS: I like your slogan
Phal
21 Jul 2011
Awesome … those prawns cycling on the M4 between Umhlanga and Ballito … take note.
Tom
21 Jul 2011
I stop at red robots in Cape Town but am often forced thru them by taxis. I’ve been knocked down twice by motorists who were both breaking the rules of the road. Every day out there I see more taxis and cars breaking more rules than the 4 cyclists I see running the gauntlet.
You motorists need to earn some respect before demanding it and prey tell, how should one respect a single person driving a vehicle using the fossil fuel that belongs to my children’s children?
Jimjam
21 Jul 2011
Bottom line: roads in the modern era are designed and built for motor vehicles. Not Horse-drawn Carriages. Not Horsemen. Not pedestrians. Not porcupines. Not Cyclists.
Cyclists, porcupines and runners need to give way to motor vehicles and behave like uninvited but none-the-less welcome guests.
Tom
21 Jul 2011
Bottom line: fossil fuel powered vehicles are bringing our world to it’s knees, catch a wake up, a lift, or buy a bike.
Russ
21 Jul 2011
Tom obviously doesn’t drive a car. Seth – we need another campaign targeted at the prawns that invade the coffee shops with their ming. Call it ‘Sweat no Seat’ or something
Tom
21 Jul 2011
Seth is just following Gareth Cliff’s lead; he knows you get hits by targeting cyclists.
steve
22 Jul 2011
@fran.
Your guess is as good as mine. John smit and the boys also always seem to co-ordinate outfits, even at training.
Jan
22 Jul 2011
It seems that you really had to Google hard to come up with this lousy article… what a load of crap!
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