The Chainlink

Grassroots Courteous Cyclist Campaign

I have been pondering recently creating a grassroots courteous cyclist campaign (or "Don't be a douche").

 

Being a completely private campaign would give me (or us) the latitude to use a catchphrase like "Don't be a douche."

 

Perhaps this campaign would be mainly a sticker campaign and word of mouth (calling people out when they're "douches."

 

The problems I constantly see that make people lose respect for all cyclists.

 

-Blowing through stop signs and red lights with no intention of stopping for any reason (even when it's not your turn (right of way))

-sitting in the crosswalk when stopped at an intersection (hey, that's a pedestrian's space, not a cyclists; plus there is almost always space between the crosswalk and the car "stopline")

-riding on the sidewalk (hey, that's a pedestrian's space, they could be a great ally in bicycle advocacy if we respected them more)

-salmoning

-riding with no lights at night

-riding in a crosswalk to cheat your way through a 6-point intersection (and other tomfoolery to cheat your way through; look, are you a pedestrian or a cyclist, you're in the pedestrians space right now) - this will be debateable for some, but I often see that this practice doesn't gain much time for the cyclist (I always have the line in my head "you lose a lot more goodwill than you gain in time"); I'm sure drivers don't appreciate a cyclist going out of turn across the crosswalk when there are no pedestrians present, impeding their legal turn

 

Any other insights, thoughts, complaints...?

 

Is there a need for a campaign like this to spruce up our image (that is constantly tarnished by the "douches" - and hopefully correct their behavior)?

 

I know the Bicycle Ambassadors do some of this work, however, I believe they are funded by the city; hence they require that you follow the law to a T; this campaign would be more real-world applicable (you don't have to stop at that stop sign if no one is around...)

 

"Don't be a douche" or Courteous Cyclist as the campaign name (or something else)?

 

Also, there is a share the road sign I saw on some blog at some point from somewhere in Europe I believe that has the cyclist tipping his hat to the driver.  That could be a cool graphic for this; does anyone know where that is?

 

Scott

 

[edited]

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Gort 12-mile Pinklegneep on November 21, 2011 at 11:48am

Yyyyehhhhhh call me Part Of The Problem but if I can go a month without some inattentive blithely oblivious driver nearly killing me then I might start being concerned about what they appreciate or whatever.

Permalink Reply by Scotto 6.8 on November 21, 2011 at 11:53am

Peen,

 

I understand your frustration, I experience it also; but much (admittedly not all) of what I "advocate" in the OP is related to self-preservation; so it is presumably in your own interest.

 

Also, the main argument drivers have against cyclists (and their funding via infrastructure) is that they're law-flaunting renegades.  If we are able to lessen the truth in their argument it could be a step forward for greater societal acceptance -> greater infrastructure -> more cyclists -> safer/better for everyone.

 

Discuss...

Permalink Reply by Gort 12-mile Pinklegneep on November 21, 2011 at 12:10pm

Changing the reality would only change the perception to the extent that the perception has a basis in reality. Lots of drivers get agitated and aggressive because a cyclist is obeying the law, and drivers seldom have any strong motivation to actually learn what the law has to say about bikes and lane usage and similar.

 

The thing that makes a difference in terms of public perception and safety and so on, pretty much the only thing, is more people on bikes. Calling other cyclists douches for violations of etiquette (many of these aren't even law) in order to be more appealing to motorists who tend to not notice what you're doing anyway doesn't seem particularly helpful.

Permalink Reply by Scotto 6.8 on November 21, 2011 at 12:14pm

Ok, so this seems like an incredibly futile (or even counter-productive) idea in your eyes.  

 

Also, I believe that the majority of the points in the OP are actually unlawful.  The only two suspect ones being blocking a crosswalk while stopped (which could easily be unlawful if a bicycle is interpreted as a vehicle) and riding in the crosswalk (see previous parenthesis)

 

I'm no expert on Chicago Ordinances at this point though.

 

How can we go about improving conditions for cyclists?  Or is that even a worthy goal?  Are conditions perfect as is?

 



Peenworm Grubologist said:

Changing the reality would only change the perception to the extent that the perception has a basis in reality. Lots of drivers get agitated and aggressive because a cyclist is obeying the law, and drivers seldom have any strong motivation to actually learn what the law has to say about bikes and lane usage and similar.

 

The thing that makes a difference in terms of public perception and safety and so on, pretty much the only thing, is more people on bikes. Calling other cyclists douches for violations of etiquette (many of these aren't even law) in order to be more appealing to motorists who tend to not notice what you're doing anyway doesn't seem particularly helpful.

Permalink Reply by Michelle Gregorek on November 21, 2011 at 12:19pm

Senior member chiming in here...I HATE the word douche.  Really?  Can't we think of something else?

There is definitely a need for this sort of campaign.  Lets all imagine there are twice as many people commuting by bikes.  This IS going to happen here.  If riders continue to blow through stop signs without stopping there are going to be some nasty accidents, and accidents that will have nothing to do with cars. 

re using a crosswalk at a 6 way.  Guilty, but with yield to vehicles. Not so much to save time but to stay coasting.  And what is salmoning?

Permalink Reply by Scotto 6.8 on November 21, 2011 at 12:21pm

Please, this is a brainstorm discussion...

 

Courteous Cyclist...?  I don't think that has ring, I'm no marketer.

 

Salmoning is riding the wrong way on the street (I did not coin the term).

 

Also, regarding the 6-way, I believe there are some intersections so dangerous that they require you to use some sort of combination of crosswalks to make a left turn for example.  I am more targeting the behavior of "short-cutting" (say going left in the crosswalk, crossing again, and crossing again so as not to stop; or crossing halfway to get a "head start").


Michelle Gregorek said:

Senior member chiming in here...I HATE the word douche.  Really?  Can't we think of something else?

There is definitely a need for this sort of campaign.  Lets all imagine there are twice as many people commuting by bikes.  This IS going to happen here.  If riders continue to blow through stop signs without stopping there are going to be some nasty accidents, and accidents that will have nothing to do with cars. 

re using a crosswalk at a 6 way.  Guilty, but with yield to vehicles. Not so much to save time but to stay coasting.  And what is salmoning?

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on November 21, 2011 at 12:29pm

Scott,

I'm curious as to where you ride everyday.

I am thrilled when I see another cyclist in my daily travels regardless of what they may be doing at the time (er, OK, as long as they're not spitting at me or shooting.)

There are plenty of days I don't encounter a single fellow cyclist on my way to/from work.

Is there a chance that changing your daily route so that you encounter less cyclists might help keep your frustration in check? 

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on November 21, 2011 at 12:32pm
Permalink Reply by Scotto 6.8 on November 21, 2011 at 12:34pm

Lincoln - Wells

 

It is a cyclist heavy route, but is avoiding reality the solution?

 

Another aspect of this could be what we (cyclists) expect from motorists (don't ask for the world, because most people [cyclist or motorist] are completely centered on themselves).

 

-3 feet passing distance

-check before you open your door

 

Discuss...

Permalink Reply by Melanie K on November 21, 2011 at 12:35pm

Nice idea, but in practice is it really going to help? Active Trans does a lot to advocate cycling safely already, as do a few other organizations- calling other cyclists something derogatory will probably only get your campaign smeared, although motorists may find it funny that there is in-fighting in the cycling community.  I also get peeved when cyclists blow lights while I am waiting at a red (usually because I am witnessing them almost getting slammed by a motorist as they cross against the light, while a motorist is zooming through the green at a higher than the posted speed limit) but I wouldn't call them douches. There will always be motorists that hate cyclists, and there will always be cyclists that won't follow the law and piss those motorists off, as well as motorists who don't follow the law sharing the road with cyclists.  Accidents will happen no matter how well planned out and educated people are about cycling and realistically, there really isn't any type of movement that I can see being effective in stopping cyclists from running lights or salmoning (going the wrong way down the lane and against traffic) or any other infraction.  If there was enforcement of traffic laws against cyclists, maybe cyclists would actually worry about going through the lights, and obey more traffic laws. As far as a grassroots movement to educate cyclists on why they shouldn't violate traffic laws or piss off motorists goes, I just feel it wouldn't be effective, as I believe most cyclists know they are violating laws and pissing people off and really don't give a damn about how others perceive them.  BTW- I try not to cycle like an ass most of the time, but there are days I have my moments (roll the stops, use the sidewalk/walkway as a shortcut when no pedestrians are present), no one is perfect.  I am scared to death of running lights since I see people almost get hit all the time, too. I just don't see a campaign that calls out bad cyclists to be something positive for the cycling community- it seems it may just divide it.   

Permalink Reply by Michelle Gregorek on November 21, 2011 at 12:40pm

I'm sorry Scott, I realize this is a brainstorm discussion.  Please excuse any frustration caused. 

Thanks for the definition of salmoning. (My guess would have been weaving in and out of traffic.)

 

Permalink Reply by Scotto 6.8 on November 21, 2011 at 12:41pm

I think one of the hindrances of Active Trans and Bicycle Ambassadors is that I believe they have to officially advocate that cyclists follow all laws to a T (full stop at stop signs, etc.).  That then presents extremes (follow laws exactly or not follow them at all) and people tend to gravitate toward extremes (look at the current political climate).

 

Thanks for your insights.

 

So you don't think any type of campaign can be done to improve conditions?

Melanie said:

Nice idea, but in practice is it really going to help? Active Trans does a lot to advocate cycling safely already, as do a few other organizations- calling other cyclists something derogatory will probably only get your campaign smeared, although motorists may find it funny that there is in-fighting in the cycling community.  I also get peeved when cyclists blow lights while I am waiting at a red (usually because I am witnessing them almost getting slammed by a motorist as they cross against the light, while a motorist is zooming through the green at a higher than the posted speed limit) but I wouldn't call them douches. There will always be motorists that hate cyclists, and there will always be cyclists that won't follow the law and piss those motorists off, as well as motorists who don't follow the law sharing the road with cyclists.  Accidents will happen no matter how well planned out and educated people are about cycling and realistically, there really isn't any type of movement that I can see being effective in stopping cyclists from running lights or salmoning (going the wrong way down the lane and against traffic) or any other infraction.  If there was enforcement of traffic laws against cyclists, maybe cyclists would actually worry about going through the lights, and obey more traffic laws. As far as a grassroots movement to educate cyclists on why they shouldn't violate traffic laws or piss off motorists goes, I just feel it wouldn't be effective, as I believe most cyclists know they are violating laws and pissing people off and really don't give a damn about how others perceive them.  BTW- I try not to cycle like an ass most of the time, but there are days I have my moments (roll the stops, use the sidewalk/walkway as a shortcut when no pedestrians are present), no one is perfect.  I am scared to death of running lights since I see people almost get hit all the time, too. I just don't see a campaign that calls out bad cyclists to be something positive for the cycling community- it seems it may just divide it.   

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