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Cycling PSA on Top Gear

Old 03-04-14, 06:06 AM
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Cycling PSA on Top Gear

This was posted on www.bikerumor.com :
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Old 03-04-14, 08:59 AM
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My take is that this PSA is concerning stoplights, if so, though I will stop, i don't wait very long for proven "dead reds."
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Old 03-04-14, 10:53 AM
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They're just trolling.
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Old 03-04-14, 11:00 AM
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This would never fly in the USA because someone is sure to call it offensive. But I really like it. If they're seeing a pattern of accidents where cyclists are running red lights, then it's an appropriate, on point ad. Another example of how British adverts are so much better than those in the USA.
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Old 03-04-14, 11:06 AM
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Same goes for everybody. This is an age-old topic because even the written laws and regulations are vague. Is a cyclist more a motorist (must obey all taffic laws) or more a pedestrian (everybody yields to them). I've seen motorists run stop signs and red lights many times. Runners seldom stop for anything unless in urban areas where traffic is a constant. I am a ride leader with a large local cycling organization and my rule of thumb is... if there is a motorist anywhere is site, no matter the distance, stop at the stop sign or red light. If there is no motorist within site in any direction, go like hell. Let the wildlife animals turn in our license plates
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Old 03-04-14, 11:19 AM
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Originally Posted by FBinNY
This would never fly in the USA because someone is sure to call it offensive. But I really like it. If they're seeing a pattern of accidents where cyclists are running red lights, then it's an appropriate, on point ad. Another example of how British adverts are so much better than those in the USA.
Cyclists. Real adverts and Spoof adverts.
Learn the bloody difference.

-mr. bill
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Old 03-04-14, 11:22 AM
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Originally Posted by mr_bill
Cyclists. Real adverts and Spoof adverts.
Learn the bloody difference.

-mr. bill
Is there a difference in the message delivered if it's a real or spoof advert?

Proves the power of a "spoof" advertizing.
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Old 03-04-14, 11:44 AM
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Originally Posted by FBinNY
Is there a difference in the message delivered if it's a real or spoof advert?

Proves the power of a "spoof" advertizing.
You tell me.

-mr. bill


Last edited by mr_bill; 03-04-14 at 11:50 AM.
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Old 03-04-14, 11:48 AM
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Originally Posted by FBinNY
If they're seeing a pattern of accidents where cyclists are running red lights...
has anyone ever seen this pattern? i doubt it.
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Old 03-04-14, 12:20 PM
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It is from 'Top Gear' and nothing more than a slam on cyclist, not a PSA.
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Old 03-04-14, 01:22 PM
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Of course it was a spoof but it hits close to home for some cyclists.
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Old 03-04-14, 02:35 PM
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Motorists... share the road, cyclists may at times use the full lane, learn the bloody difference.

Motorists... speed limits... obey them.

Motorists... save fuel, save the air, get some exercise... get a bike.

shall I go on?
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Old 03-04-14, 03:01 PM
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I've seen cyclists and pedestrians hit by cars when crossing against a signal, fortunately none resulted in serious injury, and considering how much time I'm on the road as a commercial driver I'd hardly call it a "pattern", but I'm sure they all thought it was safe too......

I won't say I never do it, (when cycling or walking) but I see too many reasons to not make it a habit like some do.
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Old 03-04-14, 03:34 PM
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Like it or not... most motorist really don't appreciate bicycles on the roadways.

Although thin-skinned cyclists may not see the humor in the videos.... they are funny. However there is a sadness in the topic. Motorist have absolutely NOTHING to lose by not wanting to share the roads with bicycles.

If cyclists want to be regarded and regulated as transportation... which would include the tags, fees, license's, and insurance that motorist pay. They ought to move in that direction. Otherwise... the handwriting is on the wall. Voters are going to push bicycles on to paths.... eventually.

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Old 03-04-14, 05:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Dave Cutter
Like it or not... most motorist really don't appreciate bicycles on the roadways.

Although thin-skinned cyclists may not see the humor in the videos.... they are funny. However there is a sadness in the topic. Motorist have absolutely NOTHING to lose by not wanting to share the roads with bicycles.

If cyclists want to be regarded and regulated as transportation... which would include the tags, fees, license's, and insurance that motorist pay. They ought to move in that direction. Otherwise... the handwriting is on the wall. Voters are going to push bicycles on to paths.... eventually.
I think that Dave is incorrect in believing that if cyclists had "the tags, fees, license's, and insurance that motorist pay" they would become tolerated on the roadway. First, motordom, which controls these items, would not issue such items except on terms that would ensure that few, if any, cyclists used the roadway. Second, these items have been tried before and have proved more expensive than the benefits that they might provide.

However, Dave is correct to be concerned, even worried, that American motordom will manage to "push bicycles onto paths". That's just got closer with the issuance of a Fed DOT memorandum about special traffic-signal faces to control bicycle traffic. As you can see from the diagram about how to limit cyclist left turn traffic by using a bicycle left turn signal face, this assumes that all bicycle traffic is approaching in the bike lane and none in a general traffic lane. In short, there is a designers' assumption that all cyclists should be treated as being traffic incompetents. This shows that lawful, competent cyclists have to work up, now, soon, quickly, a program for protecting the rights of cyclists to operate, when they choose, according to the rules for drivers of vehicles by working to repeal the traffic laws (far to the right, mandatory bikelane, etc) that attempt to prohibit cyclists from obeying the rules of the road for drivers of vehicles.




https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/.../ia16/ia16.pdf

https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/...df/9_09_47.pdf


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Old 03-04-14, 06:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Dave Cutter
If cyclists want to be regarded and regulated as transportation... which would include the tags, fees, license's, and insurance that motorist pay.
The reason cars are required to have liabiity insurance is because drivers fairly-frequently damage other people's property and cause other people injuries. Requiring liability insurance keeps the courts free of all those drivers and injuried parties out of the court room.

Bicyclists, on the other hand, very rarely damage other people's property and injure other people.

(Keep in mind that there is no requirenent to have insurance to cover damage to property you own.)

Originally Posted by Dave Cutter
They ought to move in that direction.
I'm not sure if we ought to require people to pay for everything or regulate everything.
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Old 03-04-14, 08:32 PM
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I may have given the wrong impression.

I don't wish to see bicycles regulated the same as cars. But if bicycles aren't considered “the same as” motorized transportation there will be no reason to claim a right to use the roads at some future date.

I actually feel pretty sure that our human powered machines will be around for another hundred years. And... that's several more decades than I need to worry about. But I do expect to see bicycles regulated more and more... ultimately limited to certain areas like the bicycle paths and/or lanes.
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Old 03-04-14, 08:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Dave Cutter
I don't wish to see bicycles regulated the same as cars. But if bicycles aren't considered “the same as” motorized transportation there will be no reason to claim a right to use the roads at some future date.
The right is in the current law.

Originally Posted by Dave Cutter
I actually feel pretty sure that our human powered machines will be around for another hundred years. And... that's several more decades than I need to worry about. But I do expect to see bicycles regulated more and more... ultimately limited to certain areas like the bicycle paths and/or lanes.
That would make them toys (pretty much). The only way (probably) to counter act that is to have more people using bicycles on the streets.
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Old 03-04-14, 08:46 PM
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I have no issues with that PSA.. we should learn the bloody difference.
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Old 03-04-14, 09:06 PM
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Originally Posted by njkayaker
The right is in the current law.
Yeah... I am no lawyer. I haven't pushed past the sign downtown that says: No bicycles past this point.

Originally Posted by njkayaker
That would make them toys (pretty much). The only way (probably) to counter act that is to have more people using bicycles on the streets.
Would make? Isn't that future tense? I am pretty sure the general public and even most laws currently [present tense] consider bicycles as toys. My suggestion/idea originally was to change the toy perception.

Right now... America has 39 million cyclists. That's down from [what?] three years ago when it was estimated America had 43 million cyclists. Most of the cyclists I see are old men... like myself. I would guess... given enough time.. we will die off.

I wish you the very best with increasing the number of cyclists.... as well as cyclists that use bicycles for transportation. I think the areas that have increased bicycle usage have done so.... by building infrastructure.... or bicycle paths. So.... ether way... we're being pushed off the streets.
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Old 03-04-14, 10:06 PM
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So I remembered seeing something about this online a couple of days ago and forgot that I was supposed to be upset about it. I watched the "PSA" and laughed my ass off. It's funny. It's Top Gear, and a typical setup where they say, "We went to help film a car chase," or whatever else and then hilarity ensues when they are purposefully awful at it. Anyone that is upset by this has no sense of humor.
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Old 03-04-14, 11:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Dave Cutter

Although thin-skinned cyclists may not see the humor in the videos.... they are funny.
Funny to people with a sick sense of humor.

If cyclists want to be regarded and regulated as transportation... which would include the tags, fees, license's, and insurance that motorist pay. They ought to move in that direction. Otherwise... the handwriting is on the wall. Voters are going to push bicycles on to paths.... eventually.
Get a clue, motorists have to pay fees, tags, licenses due to the far greater damage they can cause with their motor vehicle, and the handwriting is on the wall with the steady decline in driving that more of the roadway is going to go towards non motorized road use.
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Old 03-04-14, 11:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Dave Cutter

Right now... America has 39 million cyclists. That's down from [what?] three years ago when it was estimated America had 43 million cyclists. Most of the cyclists I see are old men... like myself. I would guess... given enough time.. we will die off.

I wish you the very best with increasing the number of cyclists.... as well as cyclists that use bicycles for transportation. I think the areas that have increased bicycle usage have done so.... by building infrastructure.... or bicycle paths. So.... ether way... we're being pushed off the streets.
Seattle has that goal,

"Seattle’s Bike Program—Come ride with us Seattle is using our streets to provide safe, affordable travel choices and create great places that encourage people to get out and enjoy streets on foot or by bike. In doing so, we reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve the health of or residents and make it comfortable for people of all abilities from our 5-year old kids to our 80-year old grandparents to move around.


The Bicycle Master Plan is one tool helping us to reach this vision. Over the last four years, SDOT has invested nearly $36 million in bicycle improvements guided by the plan. The improvements were funded through the voter-approved Bridging the Gap transportation levy and include 129 miles of bike lanes and sharrows, 98 miles of signed routes and 2,230 bike parking spaces. This year the Bicycle Master Plan is being updated. As the City works toward its goal of tripling the number of cyclists, we will consider how to expand our implementation of bicycle facilities that focus on short, neighborhood trips and improvements that appeal to a wide variety of bicycle riders. Please get involved!"
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Old 03-05-14, 12:36 AM
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Originally Posted by John Forester
I think that Dave is incorrect in believing that if cyclists had "the tags, fees, license's, and insurance that motorist pay" they would become tolerated on the roadway. First, motordom, which controls these items, would not issue such items except on terms that would ensure that few, if any, cyclists used the roadway. Second, these items have been tried before and have proved more expensive than the benefits that they might provide.

However, Dave is correct to be concerned, even worried, that American motordom will manage to "push bicycles onto paths". That's just got closer with the issuance of a Fed DOT memorandum about special traffic-signal faces to control bicycle traffic. As you can see from the diagram about how to limit cyclist left turn traffic by using a bicycle left turn signal face, this assumes that all bicycle traffic is approaching in the bike lane and none in a general traffic lane. In short, there is a designers' assumption that all cyclists should be treated as being traffic incompetents. This shows that lawful, competent cyclists have to work up, now, soon, quickly, a program for protecting the rights of cyclists to operate, when they choose, according to the rules for drivers of vehicles by working to repeal the traffic laws (far to the right, mandatory bikelane, etc) that attempt to prohibit cyclists from obeying the rules of the road for drivers of vehicles.




https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/.../ia16/ia16.pdf

https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/...df/9_09_47.pdf


Thanks for the links. I had to read to the bottom of the second link to find the clear evidence of your statement. What a crock! It is just insane to permit the placement of bike lanes to the right of right-turn-only lanes and adding nonsense bikey signals doesn't make it less of a crock. In fact, it makes it worse. I really thought we had gotten beyond that dangerous set-up. These bike signals are being used to undo a lot of work.

I've only seen a handful of bike signals, and they all make the intersection worse for cyclists.
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Old 03-05-14, 01:37 AM
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The thing with tools like bike signals is that they are only as good as the person using them. Sharrows are lovely, but usually end up to the right of a very narrow lane because the person who designed the installment doesn't understand cycling and are more concerned with bare minimum approaches that do not disrupt the normal car traffic patterns.
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