Deliberately provocative heading!
Curiously there are several topics this morning running on 'problems with motorists' and 'problems with ENews/Scotsman commentators' - or both!
City plans to experiment with residential bike parking facilities
There aren't many cyclists ergo we shouldn't do anything to encourage more
Beeped and Swerved at this morning
"Pedestrian-only plan for Fringe arena in heart of New Town"
Gembo wonders if there's "any chance of turning this into a constructive way forward? I feel there is a palpable menace amongst a minority of Edinburgh drivers" (more)
wingpig asks - "Where's the best place to enagage with these drivers? They're not on here as far as we know (continued)
anth has done some engaging - "Hurrah! My comment got deleted!'
There are some serious issues here.
If/when drivers do 'punishment moves' or even just beeping 'cos there is a bike in front, it would be nice to think that the Police would be more willing to listen (and if possible act).
'The Police' is like 'The Council' - organisations responsible for all sorts of policies and priorities, and not always (life rather than malice) pulling in the same direction.
CEC has recently announced more money for 'cycling' and has shown some degree of seriousness in making life better for peds and cyclists.
L&B Police are working (with CEC and others) on a 'cycle safety' campaign. First initiative due in April.
Of course 'we' like minorities (we have to...) and no-one actually wants to shut down the local newspapers' gang of on-line wind-up merchants.
But there are several issues here -
I think it might be going too far to make 'cycle hate' a crime, but there are definitely people wanting others to think that bicycles shouldn't be on the road and wouldn't be worried if a few more were knocked over.
The more things are 'done for' cycling the more there is likely to be a backlash - either of the 'what about spending on the motorist' variety or 'well they've got their cycle lanes/paths - make sure they stay there'.
Of course 'we' hope the 'rabid motorist' types are an amusing (sometimes) minority - to be pitied more than feared. Clearly a lot of people on here drive as well as cycle so it's not as though there is some sort of 'eco-warrier' V 'normal people' divide.
Politicians like to be seen to be doing what people want - sometimes it's going with the majority and sometimes it's helping minorities. In reality it's often more about doing what 'the party thinks best' or listening to the focus group, or lobbyist, or someone you met at a function or weighing the number of emails against your personal prejudices (etc.)
On that it helps that people who cycle and contact politicians emphasise that they are not just 'cyclists' but residents of Edinburgh, parents etc. who would actually like slower speeds, less traffic, more people walking and cycling - a better balance between people who happen to own cars and seem to want to use them to the detriment of others and everyone else!
So, perhaps, marginalise the bad drivers and their attitudes.
In this, local press should/could be very active.
Traditionally local papers are 'against the Council' - good copy, populist, sells newspapers (maybe).
Papers are/have to be independent can't be the mouthpiece of councils, but they have at various times run campaigns 'for the city'. Perhaps the time is right for a campaign for a better, more liveable, City - which would involve nicer public space, better provision for people who walk (most people) and probably more encouragement to cycle.
Having written all that I'm not sure I like the idea of rounding up a few errant drivers and talking them down the pub for a nice chat and a handshake afterwards.
It'll probably be like seatbelts, drink-driving, smoking in pubs, driving while on a mobile - they'll all become less socially acceptable. Of course they all involve the law - but then so should more examples of 'bad behaviour' - it's Dangerous Driving - or perhaps 'without care and attention'.
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