http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Volvo's sickening humour en Mon, 18 May 2026 07:07:31 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14618&page=2#post-227777 Thu, 18 Aug 2016 18:10:07 +0000 neddie 227777@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Or Suzuki? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14618&page=2#post-227764 Thu, 18 Aug 2016 15:14:55 +0000 jonty 227764@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I assume it's an automated email and it's just pattern-matched something that looks like an article about Volvo and so has assumed CCE is blog about cars. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14618&page=2#post-227760 Thu, 18 Aug 2016 14:56:59 +0000 Morningsider 227760@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Could be a major car company branching out into e-bikes, anything else would seem a bit odd.</p> <p>Also, Ducati isn't an international automotive group - it is owned by Volkswagen. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14618&page=2#post-227746 Thu, 18 Aug 2016 13:20:05 +0000 Arellcat 227746@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>a major car manufacturer who operates in the same marketplace as international automotive groups, Yamaha, Ducati, and Harley Davidson.</em></p> <p>Presumably BMW. Not sure Honda would have PR like that. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14618&page=2#post-227724 Thu, 18 Aug 2016 11:25:24 +0000 chdot 227724@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thank you for your kind thoughts.</p> <p>Whatever the sum, the apportioning of shares to CCE contributors would be too taxing.</p> <p>How to value gembo's whimsy against kaputnik brick lore? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14618&page=2#post-227722 Thu, 18 Aug 2016 11:19:41 +0000 neddie 227722@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I should think an ad on CCE would be worth a great deal more than $55 </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14618&page=2#post-227721 Thu, 18 Aug 2016 11:10:02 +0000 chdot 227721@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"</p> <p>Hi there,</p> <p>I represent a digital marketing agency currently working with a major car manufacturer who operates in the same marketplace as international automotive groups, Yamaha, Ducati, and Harley Davidson. I noticed your site has published a very interesting article, Volvo's sickening humour ® CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum, which is why I think a collaboration between us could work well. </p> <p>We are in the process of securing sponsored placements for our client and we were wondering if you were interested in featuring such a post on your site. For the privilege of being featured on your site, we would be happy to offer a fee in the region of $55.</p> <p>Kind Regards,</p> <p>"</p> <p>CCE remains immune to such offers! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14618&page=2#post-202443 Wed, 21 Oct 2015 23:09:41 +0000 deckard112 202443@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Kenny I think the Volvo dealership in Sighthill is being refurbished just now which have been part of the decision? By sheer chance I was in the Mitsubishi one next door yesterday. Not sure if there are others in Edinburgh. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14618&page=2#post-202422 Wed, 21 Oct 2015 21:04:58 +0000 kenny 202422@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>There's a Volvo dealers' <a href="http://www.volvocars.com/uk/about/our-innovations/lifepaint">LifePaint weekend</a> this weekend, but the Edinburgh dealers aren't taking part.</p> <p>Volvo UK told me this is because there is a cost to the dealer, and they're disappointed that the Edinburgh dealers chose not to. I asked Volvo UK to stop those dealers using any of their 2020 target promotional materials in that case. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14618&page=2#post-186208 Fri, 17 Apr 2015 13:24:15 +0000 acsimpson 186208@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>This could have gone in the helmet thread but there's a good objection to the paint here:<br /> <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/04/15/dont-make-bicyclists-more-visible-make-cars-stop-running-them-over/?tid=sm_fb">http://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/04/15/dont-make-bicyclists-more-visible-make-cars-stop-running-them-over/?tid=sm_fb</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14618&page=2#post-185052 Sat, 04 Apr 2015 14:07:18 +0000 LivM 185052@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I was very tempted by the glow-in-the dark Pompetamine frame from On One. I only didn't get it because the bike lives in a dark garage, or in the relatively gloomy undercroft at work so would never see enough photons to get charged up.</p> <p><a href="http://s233.photobucket.com/user/playfords/media/CBOOPOMPALF_P9.jpg.html">pic: someone else's</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14618&page=2#post-185028 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 20:34:17 +0000 Greenroofer 185028@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm quite in favour of reflectives in principle.</p> <p>I wouldn't buy this though because reading the small print it seems that the stuff you spray on your clothes needs to be re-applied every week and the paint they used on the bikes themselves wasn't the same stuff. Given that you can get a reflective vest for <a href="http://www.screwfix.com/c/safety-workwear/hi-vis-vests/cat850540">£4 from Screwfix</a> that you don't have to re-apply every week, and Scotchlite tape for the bike, why would you bother with this spray?</p> <p>This also gives me the chance to resurrect that really annoying picture of the black reflective tape on my bike...<br /> <img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dxQBRYBXlgU/UvP8qUC0CwI/AAAAAAAAAvU/S0q_hXkIV7Y/s800/Black%2520reflective.gif"></p> <p>In the vein of the Green Paint that Sheldon is posthumously promoting, this is a solution looking for a problem, I think. The only time I could see a use for it would be on a naked bike ride after dark, so one could apply the reflective direct to the body. It's probably not intended for use on bare skin though... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14618&page=2#post-185021 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 16:48:58 +0000 neddie 185021@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@WC</p> <p>Who said I was complaining?</p> <p>Why shouldn't I make a new point? (or 1/10 of an old set of points as you put it)</p> <p>And why should I have to answer any of your points, all in one go?</p> <p>You have your opinion. I don't have to answer to it. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14618&page=2#post-185019 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 16:13:11 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 185019@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm with Paul.mag, and I'm too relaxed and happy for dogma driven debate, so I'll pop out (noting that after complaining that people weren't engaging with your points you've focused on half of one of the five responses, so 1/10th of the overall - s'not worth the aggro frankly).</p> <p>Volvo = evil corporate intent on killing cyclists them blaming them. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14618&page=2#post-185014 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 15:47:45 +0000 paul.mag 185014@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>well I'll leave you to your opinion. I think its another useful product that will help cyclists be seen more easily in the winter months when we are cycling home in rush hour.<br /> I also think it'll be hilarious to spray my jet black dog with some skeleton design but that's another thing altogether </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14618#post-185013 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 15:15:25 +0000 neddie 185013@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The automotive development lifecycle is very long, around 10 years from design concept to showroom floor.</p> <p>Yet, Volvo have only 5 years to achieve their "2020 vision" of "By 2020, no person will be killed or injured by a new Volvo". This means that, by now, Volvo must already have some pretty advanced prototypes of autonomous vehicles that are incapable of killing/injuring anyone.</p> <p>They'll need a few years to get the prototype into production on one model line (presumably the top-end), then another few years to roll it out across all models and another few years to <em>roll it out worldwide, including developing countries</em> (thereby ensuring that <em>no </em>new Volvo can kill).</p> <p>I doubt that Volvo have such a prototype ready to be productionised today. Therefore, as steveo rightly points out, their "2020 vision" is more likely to be their "2020 shared delusion" </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14618#post-185011 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 14:50:15 +0000 wee folding bike 185011@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>What sort of angle does this work at?</p> <p>If the motor vehicle is behind you how much of the frame will be visible? You would have a red reflector, pedal reflectors and a tail light on the back already.</p> <p>If the motor vehicle is at 90º then a lot of the frame will be visible but if they are far away you will have moved out of their path, if they are close then it's too late. I don't think wheel/tyre reflectors are any use either.</p> <p>And, even as a Volvo driver for more than 30 years, it still looks like victim blaming. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14618#post-185008 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 13:53:36 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 185008@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Okay I'll bite. </p> <p>1. So they're saying cycling is dangerous, are we saying cycling is perfectly safe and there's no danger out there? The Rubbish Driving thread presumably portrays cycling as dangerous? Are YouTube videos by cyclists showing near misses contributing to the problem?</p> <p>2. It does sort of, but we're in danger of looking at this in isolation and assuming they do and say nothing about driver safety anywhere. Just because it's not in this advert doesn't mean they don't, it just means it's not in this advert, and has been mentioned they have a 2020 vision for no fatalities - I can't imagine even Volvo believe this can be achieved solely by reflective paint for cyclists. </p> <p>3. Well that's an assumption (indeed there is a growing move in Scandinavia by government agencies and the like to promote helmets and hi viz - which does seem weird, but it's worth googling a video where scandi riders were provided with free helmets and all filmed for a safety advert). We're not as isolated on this coming into our culture as we think. </p> <p>4. I think I'm going to give a new moniker along the lines of Godwin's Law to the rape argument. They are entirely different things, it's a sort of "what next" reductio statement. Are adverts for lights, or calls for cyclists to use lights, victim blaming in the same way? If not I'd be intrigued to know why not...</p> <p>5. I agree. Does that mean it should be no resort at all? Again in danger of looking in isolation, there's an ad about hi viz and therefore the creators never think ever of any other way and think hi viz is the be all and end all. That's a bit of a leap. </p> <p>The advert is clunky, and yes, I don't particularly like it either, but there are a lot of assumptions that don't really add up. And I do actually still like the the product and would quite like to get some. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14618#post-185003 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 12:49:38 +0000 neddie 185003@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I didn't say in my OP why I took such a dislike to this advert, so here goes:</p> <p><ul><li>It portrays cycling as dangerous by quoting how many accidents cyclists are “involved in” (doesn’t say how many were caused by Volvo drivers) and showing video clips of near misses.</li><li>It tries to shift the burden of responsibility away from the powerful &amp; potentially dangerous (the Volvo driver) and on to the vulnerable (It’s your fault because you didn’t wear our paint / hiviz / a h****t, not the driver who doesn’t bother to look / take care / obey speed limits / highway code etc.)</li><li>Advert is targeted at the UK (clips of London cyclists, London map) - you don't see German/Danish/Dutch cyclists &amp; pedestrians feeling the need to spray themselves in "lifesaving" paint</li><li>What would have happened if Volvo had suggested that all women should spray themselves in "rape-saver" odour to deter rapists?</li><li>In Health &amp; Safety hierarchy, PPE should be a last resort</li><br /> </ul></p> <p>Anyway, I suppose the hi-viz debate has been gone over a 1000 times on here before - perhaps that's why no one commented much about the above points...? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14618#post-184897 Thu, 02 Apr 2015 09:27:18 +0000 paul.mag 184897@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>btw I am aware of course it is an april fools </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14618#post-184896 Thu, 02 Apr 2015 09:24:07 +0000 paul.mag 184896@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>slowcoach hadn't seen that product before looks very cool! Sadly I'm not sure I can see it being introduced although it be fun to see every car slamming to a stop as I cycle down that middle of the road cycle lane on Morrison street </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14618#post-184865 Wed, 01 Apr 2015 21:02:53 +0000 slowcoach 184865@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>paul.mag "there is nothing a cyclist can do to stop a driver just arbitrarily hitting us" - was <a href="http://seesense.co/flairloop/">this Flair Loop</a> not real then? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14618#post-184843 Wed, 01 Apr 2015 14:00:57 +0000 slowcoach 184843@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Allowed or not, for a glowing (not reflective) car, see press release from <a href="http://www.newsroom.nissan-europe.com/uk/en-gb/Media/Media.aspx?mediaid=129602">Nissan</a> "Nissan is first car maker to apply glow-in-the-dark car paint". </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14618#post-184837 Wed, 01 Apr 2015 13:28:54 +0000 paul.mag 184837@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@slowcoach I think the point is that this is probably a bigger aid to urban cyclists who don't want to wear luminous clothing whilst heading out to meet friends at night.<br /> Of course it won't help if a driver just hits you but then again there is nothing a cyclist can do to stop a driver just arbitrarily hitting us </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14618#post-184835 Wed, 01 Apr 2015 13:25:41 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 184835@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I need to stop posting on my phone, the autocorrect is ridiculous. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14618#post-184833 Wed, 01 Apr 2015 13:15:10 +0000 slowcoach 184833@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Cycle safety is (partly) cyclists' responsibility. This product is about improving driving safety. "Lifepaint is a unique reflective spray, invisible by day, it shines brightly in the glare of car headlights. The concept was developed by Grey London and is one of a series of projects to highlight the key product innovations of the all-new Volvo XC90." <a href="http://blog.th1ng.com/2015/03/clearas-collaborates-with-volvo-and.html" rel="nofollow">http://blog.th1ng.com/2015/03/clearas-collaborates-with-volvo-and.html</a></p> <p>It might help reduce cyclist casualties who are injured at night-time (less than a quarter of the total), if the other vehicle's lights are working and are pointed in the right direction and the driver realises that there is something/someone there and takes avoiding action. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14618#post-184830 Wed, 01 Apr 2015 13:06:43 +0000 Roibeard 184830@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I think the hate is down to the "look out for your own safety", "don personal protective equipment" (i.e. buy our stuff).</p> <p>In any other safety critical situation, telling folk to be careful, keep their wits about them and wear PPE, is about the last possible thing you should do.</p> <p>The first few are to eliminate the risk, use something less dangerous, and put in engineering to prevent the risk being realised.</p> <p>Only after we've removed the need to travel, reduced the volume of motorised traffic, separated the vulnerable user from the error prone, fallible driver, should we then consider policing (enforcement), training (behaviour) and last of all PPE.</p> <p>For some reason, with road safety, it's OK to go straight to PPE and changing behaviours!</p> <p>Robert </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14618#post-184829 Wed, 01 Apr 2015 13:01:03 +0000 Roibeard 184829@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@WC - it doesn't seem to be a conscious thought process, but has been observed in a lack of predicted decrease in injuries (e.g. children playing on "forgiving" surfaces v concrete) or in transference of injuries (pedestrian increase with occupant decrease when seat belts became compulsory).</p> <p>Try cornering on skinny cross-ply tyres, then try the same thing on low profile radials. Then ask the question about whether some (all?) of that safety improvement is consumed in going faster round corners? I doubt that this would be a conscious decision to trade off safety versus performance, but that's what happens.</p> <p>Or perhaps a more relevant example - how do you cycle with a near flat (rear) tyre? With the tail squirreling underneath you, and just a mile to go to home, I'm guessing you'll carry on, but take the corners gingerly and upright. Do you take those corners as slowly in the dry with fully inflated tyres? Or even in the wet?</p> <p>Although perhaps these grip analogies are too obvious, compared to the unseen benefits of airbags, crumple zones and seat belts.</p> <p>Robert </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14618#post-184828 Wed, 01 Apr 2015 12:59:42 +0000 paul.mag 184828@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Not really understanding the hate for this product. Volvo have apparently produced a spray that allows objects to be more visible when hit by car headlights. I'd have thought judging by the amount of posts on this forum over the years complaining about having to look like a Christmas tree and wear luminous colours that this product would have been perfect. </p> <p>@edd1e_h the full quote from the disclaimer at the bottom of the webpage is<br /> "Cycle safety is the cyclist's responsibility and Lifepaint is one of the many products that can aid visibility but cannot prevent accidents caused by the individual or other road users."<br /> Anything can be truncated to further a point, in this case I believe Volvo are merely pointing out that just because you may be more visible you still have to watch out for bad driving and also cycle sensibly. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14618#post-184827 Wed, 01 Apr 2015 12:44:43 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 184827@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have to admit, when I'm driving I do think, "It doesn't really matter if I crash, I've got an air bag and crumple zone"</p> <p>I think drivers saving about unconcerned because they have safety things to keep 'them' safe and therefore not have to care about consequences is as much of a myth as people believing cyclists ride about without carrying about pedestrians because they won't get hurt (people do genuinely seem to believe a cyclist will always stay upright in a crash with a pedestrian). there will always, in any transport choice, be exceptions, but I'm pretty sure the majority of drivers (yes, the majority) don't actually want to have a crash or run someone over. </p> <p>I may be wrong, but for every muppet who passes me on the road there were 40 drivers who were perfectly safe. </p> <p>Actually, I've got a hire car just now for working up north. My normal car is a Mini, whereas this is a daft soft-roader (a free 'upgrade' on the small car I'd selected). It's newer, loaded with all the latest gadgets, and undoubtedly will see me better off than my own car if I crash. I can assure you, I'm driving even more carefully than I normally do at the moment simply because out feels like a lumbering beast. </p>