Advocacy & Safety - Why do you post here?

I am Curious as to many regular and non regular posters in the A&S Forums motivations for spending the time and energy they do reading and responding to threads in this particular Forum. I ask partially because I am unsure anything ever actually gets resolved here, or how much the discussions that do take place contribute to real world bicycle advocacy and safety. So why bother?

To start, I post here because although I have been riding a bike for some time and am comfortable in traffic, and also fairly confident that most manouvers I make, even the illegal ones, are safe, I am still refining my riding style and views on what sort of facilities are appropriate or innappropriate for a future where more people use bicyles as regular transportation. I am also still trying to figure out what the best way to move towards that kind of a future is. I feel that at its best this forum provides a place for intelligent and interesting debate on these subjects as well as others. At its worst it is just a place for people who are allready completely set in their views to have flame wars where absolutely nothing is resolved, and people repeatedly make the exact same statements they did the hour or day or week before with minor tweaks to the wording. whats the point of that?

P.S. I would appreciate it if people did not spend too much energy responding to what others (including myself) say about their reasons for posting here or for what they say about the forum in general. Try and stick to just putting your own reasons down, I think it might make for interesting reading.

Because its fun :thumb:

Because some punch lines are too irresistible to keep to one's self.

-Kurt

I keep reading this sentence as, "I am Curious as to many regular and non regular posters in the A&S Forums motivations for spending the time and energy they do reading and responding to threats in this particular Forum."

I guess that's my answer.

Paul

The mods give me booze, broads and blow to post here.

Chip said he'd punch me if I didn't

To read insightful threads such as this.

Because its fun :thumb:

ohhh oops I forgot this one.;)

For some reason I thought people might take this thread seriously somewhat seriously but if not thats fine.

One of the reasons I started it was because I couldn't figure out how a certain person who Didn't even own their own bike yet and had no intention of riding on public streets anyway....ended up here.
.

Yup, it's fun, both to express my opinion on various subjects that are thought-provoking, and to see/hear just how many other points of view are out there. I've never expected to really change anyone's mind, or get anything accomplished. It DOES occasionally produce a cyber-friendship, and even the loner that I am, I kinda like that every now and then.

Also, the 'flame war' debates are like chess games with words -- two areas of 'endeavor' I like a lot. (Anecdote: my sister's hubby quit playing chess with me after I smoked him twice in a row -- he commented that I was "aggressive"....)

Actually, most of the people on this end of the forum are a lot like me. Passionate about cycling, aggressive in their protection of riders, and forthright in their opinions. Now, if everyone would just agree with me, the world would be a damn utopia, but this forum would be boring as hell.

Lots of interesting opinions and a few stupid ones make for good reading. I have actually changed my mind about some things after reading and thinking over some issues that have been debated here.

is any truly interesting discussion ever completely resolved?

Conversation with other bicycle minded people. Sometimes I learn something new, sometimes it's BS. It's like watching the news on TV, only interactive.

I like analyzing mine and other peoples techniques to make riding in traffic easier or safer, hopefully even prevent having a wreck. To learn from the experiences of others and to offer advice that may be helpful. Of course the occasional comic aspect is hard to resist and always welcome.

Because helmet nannies are funnier then televangelists.

-Kurt

I wish I could say I had more noble purposes for posting here but it really comes down to this:

For entertainment purposes only!

I think all posts in A&S should be consumed with large grains of salt and all suggestions should include the warning "Don't try this at home."

Actually, most of the people on this end of the forum are a lot like me. Passionate about cycling, aggressive in their protection of riders, and forthright in their opinions. Now, if everyone would just agree with me, the world would be a damn utopia, but this forum would be boring as hell.
Shucks, I thought I was the only one who felt this way.

Actually, most of the people on this end of the forum are a lot like me. Passionate about cycling, aggressive in their protection of riders, and forthright in their opinions. Now, if everyone would just agree with me, the world would be a damn utopia, but this forum would be boring as hell.

That is probably the most perfect post that I have ever read....I am inspired. Honestly:thumb:

Why do you post here?


I ask myself the same question, considering how so many attitudes here are the same or worse than the most obnoxious, overly-aggressive, and self-righteous roadies.

Actually, most of the people on this end of the forum are a lot like me. Passionate about cycling, aggressive in their protection of riders, and forthright in their opinions.

Hence why all the other passionate, protective, opinionated cyclists hate you.

Welcome to A&S.

:P

-Kurt

I often ask myself, how can I stop posting here?

Because I am known as a thoughtful, intelligent and wise leader.

Yes, I am a dog owner.

Yes, I am a dog owner.

With a 20 foot retractable leash.

-Kurt

I've had my mind changed a few times here.

I joined to help an MD cyclist who was being harassed by the police to ride on the sidewalk. So I stayed to monitor other MD cycling concerns but most posts are more for entertainment/general conversation.

I get to write aero belly.

I get to rub aero belly.

fify

http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/duty_calls.png

Mostly on the off-chance that someone will post something new and interesting that will make me change my mind about what's safest for me. Partially because there are a lot of discussions that I would never have with friends in Real Life(TM) that I can have here instead. One of the more interesting things are people's experiences with LEOs and motorists in different parts of the world. It helps to be forewarned about some of the asshats out there.

http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/duty_calls.png

I think this is the funniest thing I've seen in quite some time!

The mods give me booze, broads and blow to post.

fify

I think this is the funniest thing I've seen in quite some time!

Your name is appropriate. I can't believe this is the first time you saw this...

But it is funny, cause I'm that guy.

I pretty much lurk here for the lolz.

Believe it or not, for the occasional gems of thoughtful insight.

Speedo

this is a clearing house of sorts of cycling information where we can all learn and teach. there's also a social aspect where folks can vent; commiserate and comfort. sometimes you just need a kick in the a*s and this is a good place to get it.

When the weather is bad I can look at posts like this : http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?637669-An-example-of-a-driver-who-needs-to-have-their-license-revoked
Entertainment at it's best so there is no need to post.