Ghost bikes, roadside memorials and perception of cycling
prj45
Posts: 2,208
Help me decide.
Half of me thinks they are detrimental to us cyclists.
Cycling is not a dangerous activity as such but we are vunerable, and there are clearly some bad attitudes out there that need to be tempered.
The one thing that I think will most improve the cyclist's lot massively is more cyclists on the road.
However, is this going to happen when people are constantly reminded that people on cycles sometimes get squished?
The reaction of most people that find out I cycle in London is "isn't that dangerous, you wouldn't catch me doing that", so they're clearly not going to get on a cycle soon.
The other half of me thinks we really need to ensure that people are made aware of just how vunerable people on cycles can be, because if we don't attitudes will remain unchanged, which kinda conflicts with my first point.
So when I see a ghost bike or a roadside memorial I get two feelings, sadness at the loss of a life, and concern that it's discouraging more people from taking up cycling.
Half of me thinks they are detrimental to us cyclists.
Cycling is not a dangerous activity as such but we are vunerable, and there are clearly some bad attitudes out there that need to be tempered.
The one thing that I think will most improve the cyclist's lot massively is more cyclists on the road.
However, is this going to happen when people are constantly reminded that people on cycles sometimes get squished?
The reaction of most people that find out I cycle in London is "isn't that dangerous, you wouldn't catch me doing that", so they're clearly not going to get on a cycle soon.
The other half of me thinks we really need to ensure that people are made aware of just how vunerable people on cycles can be, because if we don't attitudes will remain unchanged, which kinda conflicts with my first point.
So when I see a ghost bike or a roadside memorial I get two feelings, sadness at the loss of a life, and concern that it's discouraging more people from taking up cycling.
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prj45 wrote:Help me decide.
Half of me thinks they are detrimental to us cyclists.
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I oppose all road side tributes/memorials , not just those targeted at cyclists.
The fact is they will never affect or influence the mindless idiots that cause the untimely deaths of those individuals.
They also act as a weighty negative to those that may consider beginning cycling.
.Specialized Hardrock Pro/Trek FX 7.3 Hybrid/Specialized Enduro/Specialized Tri-Cross Sport
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Same happens for other road users - lots of motorcycling related shrines round my way. Perfectly understandable as far as loved ones are concerned but in terms of 'prevention' I'd say its questionable if it makes any difference.'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.0
