Promoting Violence Against Cyclists

[Jolt]

I hate them too, but how different are they from "My kid can beat up your honor student" bumper stickers? When it comes to promoting violence, I mean.

I looked all over cafepress for a sticker that says "share the road/it's the law" but didn't find one. That's what I'd like on my car -- but I really do want the "it's the law" part.

In the meantime, I ordered the pink iPedal sticker!

http://www.cafepress.com/buy/3757192...t_/pg_/c_/fpt_

The "My kid can beat up your honor student" stickers are bad too. BTW, do a search on cafepress for "share the road"--I think they had some things with the message you describe, although they may have been just t-shirts.

[NJBikeGal]

I have done a giant bellyflop onto this bandwagon! I also sent an email to them. What a disgusting thing to have available on a website - right alongside the "Share the Road" items nonetheless.

Don't we have enough butt-heads to deal with on the roads without giving them a written permission of sorts to be jerks?!

[Tuckervill]

I think there's a difference between "can" and "don't". The difference is intention. The honor student bumper sticker says (my kid) "can". The other one says (I) "will".

I think the honor student bumper sticker is horrible, but it doesn't promise violence--just states that a possibility exists. The "don't share" bumper sticker is a statement of intent, and does promise violence.

Therefore, I think one is acceptable as free speech, and the other is not, in my opinion.

Karen

[pooks]

Good point, Karen, re: "can" and "will." That did cross my mind when I wrote the post.

As for free speech, I believe the "don't share" message is also protected by free speech. But I also think it's highly likely that it's not a message cafepress wants to support, which is what we can all hope for!

[Eden]

Good point, Karen, re: "can" and "will." That did cross my mind when I wrote the post.

As for free speech, I believe the "don't share" message is also protected by free speech. But I also think it's highly likely that it's not a message cafepress wants to support, which is what we can all hope for!

If the message stopped at "I don't share the road" I agree yes it would be protected speech, (and I think cafe press may leave the stickers and merchandise that says only this) but when the person actually provoked striking a cyclist with a car his/her speech ceased to be protected.

(one person on the Cascade board did suggest they'd like some of the ones that just say I don't share the road to put on certain people's cars as a warning lable for the rest of us......)

[Geonz]

The products are no longer available. Images are still there, but you can't get 'em to wear.

[teigyr]

I looked at the link this morning, was the first chance I had. I have to say that even after hearing the description here, I was shocked. Part of me wanted to see if I could find out who the individual is who is selling them just so I could contact him/her directly.

I really love the power that is generated on this site and I am so glad that it made a difference

[Eden]

Looks like it is gone entirely now!

[pooks]

Congrats to mimi on a job well done.

If I'm not mistaken, she was the first to spot it, then the jungle drums spread the word, then the community-at-large roared!