Sorry to crap on your post -- that is not the intent of this comment -- but I worry about the message this kind of video, while merely an advertisement for a backpack, sends on a site promoting urban cycling.
While some of the tricks on the bike may look cool, those are not things that should be done while riding the streets. Keep the tricks and multitasking off the street, please. As much as we try to regulate and enforce motorists' behaviour while on the road, for their own safety, yes, but mainly for the safety of everyone else on the road and the sidewalks, we should do the same for cyclists' behaviour on the road. Many jurisdictions now cite motorists for using the cellphone while driving, or for doing stunts on public roads.
If we want acceptance of the bicycle on the road and on city streets as a valid, alternative mode of transportation, we must also abide by rules of the road. Too many cyclists continue to do all sorts of things on city streets that we would not accept or condone of motorists. Until we start to take on the responsibilities along with the rights of the road, we won't get far.
I agree In principle, but you need to remember just where we are in New Zealand:
The following things done by cyclists on our roads are also seen as dangerouse and irresponsible:
Not wearing a hi viz jacket, Riding in the the centre of the lane, Riding two a breast Riding up to and sitting in an advance box Riding with a child pillion passenger. Riding on shared cycle/walkways Riding a three wheeler without a helmet on. Riding in a group. Riding with an ipod
The list goes on.........
All the above are completely legal and some even encouraged in the road cose. However many New Zealanders are increasingly being told they are the iresponsible actions of a few temorary citizens.
We need to chalenge our right to use bikes as we feel fit and not feel threatened into limiting our expressions of then to only a limited road user situation. Bikes are far more flexible than that.
If you go to europe you see many everyday bike habits that are very commonly acceptable on a bike that would be heavily frowned upon here. We need to chalenge these preconceptiosn by doing those thisngs here.
Or are we prepared to be less free, less human than the Germans or Dutch?
Sorry to crap on your post -- that is not the intent of this comment -- but I worry about the message this kind of video, while merely an advertisement for a backpack, sends on a site promoting urban cycling.
ReplyDeleteWhile some of the tricks on the bike may look cool, those are not things that should be done while riding the streets. Keep the tricks and multitasking off the street, please. As much as we try to regulate and enforce motorists' behaviour while on the road, for their own safety, yes, but mainly for the safety of everyone else on the road and the sidewalks, we should do the same for cyclists' behaviour on the road. Many jurisdictions now cite motorists for using the cellphone while driving, or for doing stunts on public roads.
If we want acceptance of the bicycle on the road and on city streets as a valid, alternative mode of transportation, we must also abide by rules of the road. Too many cyclists continue to do all sorts of things on city streets that we would not accept or condone of motorists. Until we start to take on the responsibilities along with the rights of the road, we won't get far.
I agree In principle, but you need to remember just where we are in New Zealand:
ReplyDeleteThe following things done by cyclists on our roads are also seen as dangerouse and irresponsible:
Not wearing a hi viz jacket,
Riding in the the centre of the lane,
Riding two a breast
Riding up to and sitting in an advance box
Riding with a child pillion passenger.
Riding on shared cycle/walkways
Riding a three wheeler without a helmet on.
Riding in a group.
Riding with an ipod
The list goes on.........
All the above are completely legal and some even encouraged in the road cose. However many New Zealanders are increasingly being told they are the iresponsible actions of a few temorary citizens.
We need to chalenge our right to use bikes as we feel fit and not feel threatened into limiting our expressions of then to only a limited road user situation. Bikes are far more flexible than that.
If you go to europe you see many everyday bike habits that are very commonly acceptable on a bike that would be heavily frowned upon here. We need to chalenge these preconceptiosn by doing those thisngs here.
Or are we prepared to be less free, less human than the Germans or Dutch?
Not me.
Ride on
Tom