Promoting Violence Against Cyclists

[telegirl]

So I posted and went on vacation.....

I can't even find the seller on CafePress now! And the products are gone, as far as I can find.

Good job to all those who stood up and were counted. I thought if anyone could promote change, it would be you guys! And thanks for putting it out on other sites!

YOU GUYS ROCK!

[lph]

I've been chewing this over in my mind a bit today, I've been following the discussion (somewhat) both here and on bikejournal. A lot of people would consider T-shirts like this (and anti-cyclist groups on Facebook or similar) harmless fun. Edgy and provocative, but still harmless fun.

And to some extent I agree. We all get irrationally pissed off at things sometimes, and I prefer when people visibly show it rather than pretending that everything's fine. I don't mind when people get really riled up about everyday things, as long as they can laugh a bit at themselves too.

But "harmless fun" means jabbing at someone who's your equal. It might be fun to threaten to run a cycling buddy off the track and into the undergrowth when you're riding a bike, not so fun to do so when you're in a motorized vehicle capable of crushing his skull. I don't think drivers get how vulnerable cyclists feel out there, at all. And how we EVERY SINGLE DAY have to consider how to NOT get hit by a car. What looks like a "harmless" violent fantasy for them is stark reality for us, and just not fun.

[mimitabby]

So I posted and went on vacation.....

I can't even find the seller on CafePress now! And the products are gone, as far as I can find.

Good job to all those who stood up and were counted. I thought if anyone could promote change, it would be you guys! And thanks for putting it out on other sites!

YOU GUYS ROCK!

Yeah, see what you started? thanks, by the way!

[Zen]

I've been chewing this over in my mind a bit today, I've been following the discussion (somewhat) both here and on bikejournal. A lot of people would consider T-shirts like this (and anti-cyclist groups on Facebook or similar) harmless fun. Edgy and provocative, but still harmless fun.

And to some extent I agree. We all get irrationally pissed off at things sometimes, and I prefer when people visibly show it rather than pretending that everything's fine. I don't mind when people get really riled up about everyday things, as long as they can laugh a bit at themselves too.

But "harmless fun" means jabbing at someone who's your equal. It might be fun to threaten to run a cycling buddy off the track and into the undergrowth when you're riding a bike, not so fun to do so when you're in a motorized vehicle capable of crushing his skull. I don't think drivers get how vulnerable cyclists feel out there, at all. And how we EVERY SINGLE DAY have to consider how to NOT get hit by a car. What looks like a "harmless" violent fantasy for them is stark reality for us, and just not fun.

WELL SAID, THANK YOU!

[Batbike]

Yes, it can REALLY REALLY happen ... cars can and will hit cyclists and KILL them -- happened over Memorial Weekend in Lynchburg, VA. LOTS of media coverage because the cyclist is a prominent heart surgeon. Maybe his death will help make more people aware of bikes on the roads ... one can only hope!

http://www.wset.com/news/stories/0507/427136.html

[smilingcat]

I may have been born in the year of rooster but still, I should be able to cross a street, a 4 way stop intersection, without getting flattenend. (why did the chicken cross the street? to get flattenened?) It was my turn at the intersection and the guy not only ignored me but he gave me his finger as he almost clipped the front of my bike. And for these reason, the posters/stickers/t-shirt really isn't harmless fun. me thinkth... Just this past weekend no less.

For the uneducated, ill informed, the drawings in question further legitimizes a very lethal behavior. The man who tried to run me down wasn't a young guy. He was middle aged pudgy ??(*. And I'm sure he wouldn't have had any remorse had I gone down. To him, the drawing just reinforces his belief.

Where is the police when you need one?? Only happened twice in my life...