-=(8)=-

Videos - Coming Up On The Next Inside Edition on Wednesday, 10-1 - InsideEdition.com

Heads up for Tv spot tonight

Cyril 

When did we become "bikers"?
I thought we were "cyclists" to differentiate us from motorcycle riders.

mconlonx

We become "bikers" any time popular media wants to publicize cyclists in a negative light, by casting cyclists in the same light as thug gang motorcyclist 1%ers.

rydabent

mcon +1 That is pretty much the bottom line explaination.

billyymc

Inside Edition viewers wouldn't be able to comprehend a reasonable discussion about cycling. Nor would that make for good ratings.

dynodonn 

I got as far as the previews and stopped. I liked the reporter yelling out, "We clocked you at 27mph, that's too fast", or "Sir, you just ran a red light"......this reporter needs to stand on a corner of a busy street in the same city, she will have more than her fair share for a news report for "Are motorists out of control?".

rydabent

The bad part about it is that the people that watch that program, and know nothing about cycling will think it is 100% true and paint all cyclist with that report.

dynodonn 

A number of viewers for this type of programming already have a certain painted picture of cyclists, this report will just further acerbate any feelings that the viewers might have towards cyclists.

-=(8)=-

I saw an extended version of that clip this morning. Yes, it is sensationalist, yes, it is designed to be a ratings grab on the back of related current events, but unfortunately, it is the public perception of us. And, we earned it. If you've ever blown stop signs on a club ride, flipped off a cyclist or car who made you unclip, rode an MUP(ie; sidewalk), taken the lane when its totally unnecessary, then yes, you have contributed to the reasons this stuff is getting traction in the media. Once again, the current version of advocacy isn't working. This is what we get. Time to rethink.

Paul Barnard

What is the goal of advocacy?

dynodonn 

Yet motorists do virtually the same type of maneuvers on a daily basis. My city just spent a good amount of money on making, and installing red light violation warning signs (500 dollar "minimum" fine) at numerous intersections, plus many speed feedback signs around my area, and it was not due to "out of control" cyclists.

-=(8)=-

As it is right now? If so, it is to antagonize people into submission. It clearly is not working. Who'da thought?

Paul Barnard

It was due to a budget problem.

-=(8)=-

That's not the point. We are the minority and this is what that majority thinks about us. And, living in a few areas with a lot of bike people, clubbies, students, homeless etc, I witness lots and lots of bad behavior. In the end, this is what the public's interpretation of us is, agree or not.

Paul Barnard

I was hoping for a serious answer.

-=(8)=-

Ask a serious question.

dynodonn 

I for one will not ride in a manner according to what the general motoring public wants me to ride, if it severely endangers my personal safety. I was amused to hear the reporter yelling at the cyclist for going too fast, and wondered on how many times she personally had greatly exceeded the posted speed limit in order to garner a news story.

VTBike

Apparently two wrongs make a right - at least according to 99% of people here.

As for the elitists who have taken great offense to the term "biker", there is some hubris in taking offense in light of the dictionary definition of "biker":
Merriam Webster: "A person who rides a bicycle." (one of two entries)
Random House: "A person who rides a bicycle, motorcycle, or motorbike, especially in competition or as a hobby."

How DARE they use such a term!

Is it just me, or are bicyclists perhaps the most overly-sensitive people on the planet?

Paul Barnard

It was a serious question. If you are going to make the sweeping statement that advocacy isn't working, then I want to know how you define advocacy. I have seen great progress made due to the advocacy efforts in my immediate geographical area.

Paul Barnard

I don't see it as a two wrongs make a right issue. I see it as a balance issue. Most of us hope for a little balance in reporting. I didn't watch any of the subject session, but it sounds like there was little balance in it. If it served to inflame viewers or to validate the anger they already have, then as true advocates, shouldn't we push for balance? There are too many motorists with very unhealthy attitudes toward bikers and I have seen those unhealthy attitudes manifested in their behavior.

FBinNY 

IMO (just my opinion, not a claim of fact) one issue with advocacy these days is that it's not really bicycle advocacy, as much as urban transit redesign advocacy. In some ways the goals are aligned, since some of these "urbanists" see the bicycle as a key part of the solution to downtown congestion and livability.

However, commuters, and utility cyclists are a minority of bicyclists, and much of advocacy seems to ignore serious recreational cyclists, who don't want to be burdened with ultra low speed limits (ie. 15mph) or relegated to MUP, or even congested bile lanes.

I'm not faulting advocacy outright, just the notion that a single class, especially a minority class speaks for cyclist in general. No matter how hard I try, I don't remember electing "my" advocate, or OKing any sort of mandate.

BTW- Central Park in NY is a case in point. There was always a two bike lane that looped in the lower half of the park, and the roadway was oprn to cars and bicycles with a speed limit of 30mph or so. When they closed the roadway to motor traffic, the old speed limit was kept in place, unlike the still used "bike lane/MUP" which has a lower limit. I don't know if they've since lowered the limit (I don't ride there anymore, and haven't for decades), but if they have 15mph for bicycles on what is a 3 lane roadway is ridiculously low and doesn't come near to the needs of the majority of users. I'm sure the city knows that, but now everybody is a speed crazy outlaw. God forbid they should coast down some of those hills at 25.

VTBike

Inside Edition has never called out motor vehicle operators on bad behavior. Nah... Oh, wait...

Road Rage Driver Caught On Dashcam - News from InsideEdition.com
Drunk School Bus Driver Scares Students - News from InsideEdition.com
Bus Driver Assaults Passenger For Asking Too Many Questions - News from InsideEdition.com
Wrong Way Driver Kills Two Young Women - News from InsideEdition.com
Driver Plows Into Crowd in Venice Beach, Killing Newlywed - News from InsideEdition.com
Driver Drags Baby In Stroller - News from InsideEdition.com
Driver Drags Baby In Stroller - News from InsideEdition.com
Road Rage Death Leaves Model's Family Devastated - News from InsideEdition.com
Promising Ballerina Killed by Drunk Driver - News from InsideEdition.com
Woman Drives Wrong Way on Busy Interstate - News from InsideEdition.com
Woman Sentenced For Mowing Down Triplets in Florida - News from InsideEdition.com
US Marine's Violent Road Rage Caught on Video - News from InsideEdition.com
https://www.insideedition.com/investi...s-tour-company
https://www.insideedition.com/headlin...-inappropriate

Paul Barnard

Yeah, I meant balance in the segment under discussion.

RollCNY

I am new to reading the A&S sub-forum, and you just asked the question that has been in my mind in almost every thread I have viewed. Who is advocating for what, whom are they speaking for, and why? When even cyclists (bicyclists) don't agree on what they want, aren't the different advocacy directions simply factitious?

As a bicycle rider, I do not want bike lanes. I do not want Vehicular Cycling. I do not want separate facilities. I want to ride my bicycle. I want to ride my bike.

kickstart

To address the challenges that cyclists face in a manner that makes public roads safer and more efficient for everyone.