I will be posting the results here on RudeAwakenings.  I am also looking at making contact with various parties, where the results will be posted and taken into consideration.

Depending on what the results say, I intend to follow up with some form of campaign - in the least, another questionnaire to get a better idea of what is possible.

How far would you go, realistically, to make life safer for cyclists on South African roads?

Why this came about

I was recently asked to sign a petition to lobby the Minister of Transport to do "something drastic" to ensure the safety of cyclists on the roads.  This was sent to hundreds of cyclists.  My first reaction was: "what are you each doing?".

I know that many of those people going "oh, yes, let's sign a petition" are the very same who will merrily run a red light on a morning training ride, ride 3-4 abreast on narrow roads having a good chat and then get upset when a motorist toots politely to make their presence known. 

How can you ask government to make life safer when you don't show the respect that you are asking for?

I hit "reply all" to the petition email and wrote:

I hope that when all cyclists who, when signing this petition (as well as any other asking for safety on the roads), also pledge to: stop at all red traffic lights & stop streets, ride single file on narrow roads, are courteous to other road users and generally follow the law of the road…

One reply to that was:  

Dan kan ons maar die gesprek\petisie net hier stop, aangesien ons almal weet dat dit nie gaan gebeur nie.

The Problem (as i see it)

Disregard for the rules of the road comes in varying degrees: there are some people who think they rule the road and have more right to be there than others; while some cyclists ride in a more grey area, treating a red light as a stop street, but being cautious and respectful.  It tends to be the more aggresively disrespectful who are the bad apples, giving cyclists in general a bad name.

And sometimes it's hard.  When you're out riding with a new group, and they all ride straight through a red light, you don't want to be the "goodie-2-shoes" who stops and gets left behind.

Anyone new at any sport will look to the Pro's and more experienced and learn from them.  So a beginner cyclist will see a team go by, racing through lights and believe that this is acceptable.  One needs to lead by example.  At the same time, there are those (often those at the top) who need to learn to respect the road and everyone else on it.

Motorists notice the bad apples more than not, and start seeing all cyclists as being reckless and lose respect for the sport in general.

So, what CAN we do do? 

The saying goes "Charity Starts at Home", in this case, it's safety we're starting from home.  I have been involved in many conversations over the years about how cyclists need to police themselves.  There is a strong community of cyclists who CAN make a difference.

• So how about showing that respect?
• Be polite and courteous, even if you feel the opposite.
• How about pointing out those who have no respect?
• When the opportunity arises, teach the younger/newer cyclists the correct rules of the road

How...?

My thoughts have two aspects:

1. Get people to show their support of a more law-abiding cycling community (although we all know and admit none of us are perfect, we’ll try obey the rules 99%)
2. Name and Shame the really Bad Apples that smear the image of cyclists more than most 

What I hope it will result in:

1. A public effort from the community, doing what they can to garner respect of everyone on the roads
2. Make it more acceptable to be the person to tell the group to stop at the red light

It may be a Facebook page / Facebook App / Mobile App / Website, who knows.

What are you prepared to do? If you can give a few minutes to answer a few questions.  Maybe we can start something...

There are no mandatory fields, so answer what you wish.  You may also remain anonymous.

Questions

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How often do you ride?:

Daily - I commute to work

Daily - I'm a Pro

A few times a week, commuting to work

A few times a week, training and racing

I'm a Weekend Warrior

Sign a Pledge:

	Yes	Maybe	No	Grey area
Would you sign a public pledge?

It's a grey area, as everyone breaks some rules here and there, but would you pledge your support to be a more respectful, more lawful cyclist?

Show Support:

	Yes	Maybe	No	Grey area
A sticker on your bike?
A Livestrong-style bracelet?
Something else?

Would you wear something to show your support? This might make it easier to be that "goodie-2-shoes".

If something else, what?:

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Report the Bad Apples:

	Yes	Maybe	No	Grey area
Would you say something there and then on the road?
Would you "name and shame" them?
If there was an easy, public platform to "name and shame", would you?
Do you think "naming and shaming" could make a difference?
Do you think the Bad Apples would pay attention?
Do you think sponsors and teams would pay attention?
Would "naming and shaming" just become name-trashing and ugly?

Would you be a tell-tale, and point out the people who show a blatant disrespect for the road, spoiling the fun for the rest of us?

How would you define "blatant disrespect":

Where is that line, and is there any way to define it?

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What else would you do?:

What else would you be prepared to do, in order to make a difference?

Any examples or concerns:

Do you know of any similar type of community-led, self-policing system? Can you of any problems that might arise? Are there any other questions that should be asked?

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Name:

You may remain anonymous if you wish.

Email Address:

If you want to hear some follow up on this topic, please leave your email address. I am NOT going to share your address.

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