Promoting Violence Against Cyclists

[Python]

Thought it had been withdrawn as the first link doesn't work. Unfortunately, the second does. These T-shirts are disgusting.

[pooks]

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_

[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!

[Hammer]

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_

http://www.cafepress.com/sharetheroad.10810207

[pooks]

Thanks, Hammer. I almost ordered that one, but then decided I wanted to hold out for one that also says "it's the law." That's the part that a lot of people don't know!

There are tshirts, I think, but I didn't find any stickers. I'd particularly like one of the smaller square or oval stickers that goes on the back window rather than on the bumper, so it's higher and at eye level!

[mimitabby]

I'm not ordering ANYTHING from those people. They have no scruples and they promote violence.

[pooks]

Have they responded to your email yet? They haven't to mine. I'm waiting to see what they say after they look at the situation.

[mimitabby]

go to BikeJournal.com and read the thread there about the same thing. I think we shut them down!

The thread is in their forums under Health and Fitness.
it's "good grief...

[PscyclePath]

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!

A personal position, but I wouldn't buy a derned thing from Cafe Press or any of their affiliates if they tolerate that sort of stuff on their site. And let 'em know why, too...

Tom

[Deanna]

This has been the topic of my clubs chat list this morning. The outcry from cyclists is working. Emails and calls have been pouring in and they are working on having the offending items pulled. It seems they violate Cafe Presses content policies, specifically regarding the depiction of violence. Apparently it would be okay with just the wording, the graphic crosses the line:

http://www.cafepress.com/cp/info/hel...nt-policy.aspx

[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.