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 Scotto 6.8 on November 21, 2011 at 8:00am

Maybe a good Op-Ed to the major dailies urging tolerance/courteousness to for all road users could be useful.

 

-Cyclists should yield the right of way (not necessarily stop, an official organization-Ambassadors- would need to advocate complete adherence to laws)

-Cyclists should yield to pedestrians always

-Cyclists should not ride on the sidewalk

-Pedestrians should not jump in front of a moving car with little room to stop simply because they indeed have the right of way

-Pedestrians should not walk in the bike lane

-Motorists should be aware (not talk on cell phone, etc.)

-Motorists should only pass cyclists safely (I've got a daughter I want to get home to)

-Motorists should check before swinging open their door

 

There are probably more even-keeled people on all sides of this quandary than I realize.

 

discuss...

Permalink Reply by Scotto 6.8 on November 21, 2011 at 8:01am

Yeah, so "douche" was "weeded" out of this discussion a few posts back, unfortunately I'm not aware that I can edit an OP.

 

I figured it out, thanks DUG

notoriousDUG said:

 And this is coming from me... 

 

Calling people a douche for riding in ways that actually make sense at times is not going to get you much traction. Call me a douche on my morning commute and you might have an extremely unpleasant morning.

2. Maybe if there are laws that make sense for bikes it will be easier to get people to follow them.  You want to make change make change by makingit more friendly to ride and then attack those who can;t fo

Permalink Reply by Melanie K on November 21, 2011 at 8:03am

I have to agree with h' above and say that if you feel it is worthwhile, please pursue it and I hope it all works out for the best.  I admit that am jaded since I also see a lot of cyclists do things that make me cringe, but maybe if put together the right way, a campaign would help to at least spread the word and educate some.   As an aside, I kind of find it funny that compared to the amount of car traffic, that so many motorists see a few cyclists on the road and suddenly declare them all scofflaws and dangers-not counting that many motorists commit many of the same violations (run red lights, roll stop signs, break most traffic laws).  

Scott H said:

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.   

Permalink Reply by Scotto 6.8 on November 21, 2011 at 8:07am

I do too and I wonder how much opposition there actually is to bike infrastructure (and how much is due to scofflaw-ism) - anyone have some data?

 

The car culture is so ingrained though, and they've been breakin' the laws for much longer than this "surge" in cyclists has-so it's acceptable.



Melanie said:

...As an aside, I kind of find it funny that compared to the amount of car traffic, that so many motorists see a few cyclists on the road and suddenly declare them all scofflaws and dangers-not counting that many motorists commit many of the same violations (run red lights, roll stop signs, break most traffic laws).  


Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on November 21, 2011 at 8:29am
Permalink Reply by Scotto 6.8 on November 21, 2011 at 8:35am

I like it!  Sarah does some great work.

Kelvin Mulcky said:

Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on November 21, 2011 at 8:50am

I would never want to discourage someone from being courteous, but when I'm on my bike and literally going up against 2 ton (and greater) hunks of metal, being polite is pretty much the furthest thing from my mind.  Staying alive, unhurt, and trying to enjoy my ride as much as possible are things that immediately concern me.  I wouldn't call myself a reckless cyclist by any means, nor would I take pride in being labeled such.  However, I have done and do certain things on your douchebag list, and really, I'm not a douchebag.  I've never hit anyone, and no one has ever hit me due to my riding habits.  Have I pissed people off?  Sure.  Have people pissed me off?  Yes.  Do we have to make a club and a sticker for every grievance that pops into our heads?  No.  

 

I think h' said it best:  

 

"The entire modeshare of trips by bicycle still hovers around 1% for Chicago, despite all the cyclists you see every day.

I could see such a campaign being a worthwhile investment of time and resources some (glorious) day in the future when cycling can really be said to be an accepted form of daily transportation in Chicago, like 40+% modeshare, but for the moment I'd prefer to see all resources channeled towards getting people onto bikes and keeping them there."

 

Maybe you'll see me wearing one of those stickers if this ever happens.  

Permalink Reply by Melanie K on November 21, 2011 at 9:04am

The sticker is pretty cool-I'd sport one, although according to my husband I have "Traffic Induced Turrets" (and I mean no offense to anyone who actually has Turrets, btw) so the cursing only when necessary may not be possible :p 

Kelvin Mulcky said:

Permalink Reply by Mark on November 21, 2011 at 9:06am

My own personal creed has become positive reinforcement to all other road users (peds, cars, bikes) who I felt went beyond what I would expect of an average user.  I give a wave of thanks to cars that let me in or wait for me to go through an intersection.  Conversely, if I see another user do something dangerous or ignorant, I will also point it out - being sure not to curse as it negates any message you are trying to get across.  I ride assertively and predictably, usually rolling cautiously through stop signs - but I always make sure I am not infringing on another user's right-of-way.  I've never had a problem with aggressive drivers, and have received back many more "sorrys" than "@#%^&'s"

Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on November 21, 2011 at 9:33am

Positive reinforcement is great.  I try to use it in my life and relationships whenever possible, whether it's with people or dogs.  But is giving a wave, a tip of the cap, a cheery-o, going to get more butts in saddles?  I doubt it.  People just like driving too much.  I try to just go about my ride the best I see fit, and let everything else be what it is.  This includes things people should be doing anyway, however thoughtful it may seem at the time.  If a driver does something to put my life in danger, I'll let them know about it.  Obviously, drivers are more than willing to extend the same courtesy.  

 

Mark said:

My own personal creed has become positive reinforcement to all other road users (peds, cars, bikes) who I felt went beyond what I would expect of an average user.  I give a wave of thanks to cars that let me in or wait for me to go through an intersection.  Conversely, if I see another user do something dangerous or ignorant, I will also point it out - being sure not to curse as it negates any message you are trying to get across.  I ride assertively and predictably, usually rolling cautiously through stop signs - but I always make sure I am not infringing on another user's right-of-way.  I've never had a problem with aggressive drivers, and have received back many more "sorrys" than "@#%^&'s"

 

Permalink Reply by Gort 12-mile Pinklegneep on November 21, 2011 at 9:47am

Motorists hate cyclists because they are all perceived as scofflaws (even though we know the motorists are the bigger scofflaws) -> scofflaw perception is lessened -> hostility towards cyclists lessens (to what degree, who knows; also need much enforcement of traffic laws - thats a whole other discussion) -> streets perceived safer for cyclists -> more people take to the streets (including my wife :))

 

Here's the problem: if the hate is based on a faulty perception, changing reality isn't going to change the perception because it isn't based in reality. Antipathy toward cyclists is often blamed on scofflaw behavior on the basis of a single incident or less, sometimes just based on the habitual assumption that that's what cyclists are like. It's a little bit like saying feminism is disparaged because of the perception of feminists as joyless man-haters, so if feminists could be less like that the perception would decrease. If the perception isn't being informed by reality, you can't change it by changing reality.

 

In my experience this scofflaw complaint is a post-hoc rationalization which sounds more acceptable than just being pissed off that the cyclist is there at all. Just to throw more anecdotes on the pyre, the most success I've ever had with changing someone's perception about bicycle scofflaws is pointing out that every courier they've seen and grumbled about has plenty of taxi equivalents, and which is actually putting more people in danger?

 

The other thought that comes to mind is that usually people I see "salmoning" or on a sidewalk or whatever are people biking largely because that's the transportation they can afford, in lower-income neighborhoods and so forth. It'd be kind of a dick move to give them shit about how they're getting around in my opinion.

Permalink Reply by Scotto 6.8 on November 21, 2011 at 12:27pm

I don't believe the hate is based on a faulty perception.  It is reality that some cyclists actually ride as scofflaws.  It seems to be more of an unfair stereotype.  So there is a reality that can be changed, not just a perception.

 

I agree on your other points.

 



Peenworm Grubologist said:

Motorists hate cyclists because they are all perceived as scofflaws (even though we know the motorists are the bigger scofflaws) -> scofflaw perception is lessened -> hostility towards cyclists lessens (to what degree, who knows; also need much enforcement of traffic laws - thats a whole other discussion) -> streets perceived safer for cyclists -> more people take to the streets (including my wife :))

 

Here's the problem: if the hate is based on a faulty perception, changing reality isn't going to change the perception because it isn't based in reality. Antipathy toward cyclists is often blamed on scofflaw behavior on the basis of a single incident or less, sometimes just based on the habitual assumption that that's what cyclists are like. It's a little bit like saying feminism is disparaged because of the perception of feminists as joyless man-haters, so if feminists could be less like that the perception would decrease. If the perception isn't being informed by reality, you can't change it by changing reality.

 

In my experience this scofflaw complaint is a post-hoc rationalization which sounds more acceptable than just being pissed off that the cyclist is there at all. Just to throw more anecdotes on the pyre, the most success I've ever had with changing someone's perception about bicycle scofflaws is pointing out that every courier they've seen and grumbled about has plenty of taxi equivalents, and which is actually putting more people in danger?

 

The other thought that comes to mind is that usually people I see "salmoning" or on a sidewalk or whatever are people biking largely because that's the transportation they can afford, in lower-income neighborhoods and so forth. It'd be kind of a dick move to give them shit about how they're getting around in my opinion.

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