NSW Government, on your bike OR Michael Pasco PNG

A lame excuse from Pascoe, he's woefully out of his depth commenting upon NSW PPP's (public private partnerships) by comparing unrelated issues like CM Sydney.
http://www.cyclingforums.com/t303695-crikey---another-thread.html

As I said previously, does Michael Pascoe believe that hordes of rampaging feral cyclists, led by Lee Rhiannon swinging a shovel, were also responsible for that Sydney apartment collapse a few weeks back? Think he should stick to the luncheon chat circuit... 😄

My response to Pascoe, that Crikey have not printed:

Comment on Michael Pascoe's comments on response to his article, 6 Dec.

Michael Pascoe doesn't get it: 4WD drivers already hold us hostage,
from the time they buy the car with mis-applied favourable tariffs, to
every time they fill the tank of their thirsty beast with fuel without
carbon tax, to whenever they run the motor of this unnecessary tank and
pollute our air, to every time they block the view of other motorists
thereby increasing driving hazards, to when they cause more damage,
injury or death in a crash than would a conventional car.

So why does he sledge cyclists to make his point (whatever it is)? I
can think of a better target.

Donga

Donga said:

My response to Pascoe, that Crikey have not printed:

Comment on Michael Pascoe's comments on response to his article, 6 Dec.

Michael Pascoe doesn't get it: 4WD drivers already hold us hostage,
from the time they buy the car with mis-applied favourable tariffs, to
every time they fill the tank of their thirsty beast with fuel without
carbon tax, to whenever they run the motor of this unnecessary tank and
pollute our air, to every time they block the view of other motorists
thereby increasing driving hazards, to when they cause more damage,
injury or death in a crash than would a conventional car.

So why does he sledge cyclists to make his point (whatever it is)? I
can think of a better target.

Welcome to "get any reaction" journalism. It means nothing ... and
you're pawns in the game by playing along.

Go ride your bike ... that at least, will make a difference!

Bleve said:

Welcome to "get any reaction" journalism. It means nothing ... and
you're pawns in the game by playing along.

Sorry Bleve, but I don't buy that approach. Sometimes when you hit
back, you land a punch.
(... it wasn't an option to go out riding - I was already getting out
of doing the dishes by pretending to do some work at the pooter).

Donga

...is it too late to bring up death sentences in Singapore? 🙄

All this talk about bicycles being a nuicence on the roads for motorised traffic just goes to prove that there still are not enough bikes out there. Almost along the line of CM, it seems that other 'larger' road users will only take cyclists 'seriously' [meaning as equal road users] when there will be enough bikes on the road to present a sizable presence.
I urge everyone to ride as often as possible, whereever possible. Make the presence of cyclists out there on the road (or wherever) for other road users an constant aspect of their daily commute.

To be honest, regardess of making any political statement, I rather be out riding right about now....

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>> "Bleve" == Bleve <[email hidden]> writes:

Bleve Donga said:

Quoted message said:

My response to Pascoe, that Crikey have not printed:

Comment on Michael Pascoe's comments on response to his article,
6 Dec.

Michael Pascoe doesn't get it: 4WD drivers already hold us
hostage, from the time they buy the car with mis-applied
favourable tariffs, to every time they fill the tank of their
thirsty beast with fuel without carbon tax, to whenever they run
the motor of this unnecessary tank and pollute our air, to every
time they block the view of other motorists thereby increasing
driving hazards, to when they cause more damage, injury or death
in a crash than would a conventional car.

So why does he sledge cyclists to make his point (whatever it
is)? I can think of a better target.

Bleve> Welcome to "get any reaction" journalism. It means nothing
Bleve> ... and you're pawns in the game by playing along.

I don't agree. I've had plenty of letters printed, all of which do not
demonise cars or car culture but point out the positive elements of
cycling.

If all that people read about cycling is negative, nihilistic [censored] how
and no one responds, how are people going to hear the other side?

Bleve> Go ride your bike ... that at least, will make a difference!

A difference to what? Not that I need any encouragement to get on my
bike but your statement is somewhat ambiguous.
--
Cheers | ~~ __@
Euan | ~~ _-\<,
Melbourne, Australia | ~ (*)/ (*)

Euan said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>>> "Bleve" == Bleve <[email hidden]> writes:

Bleve Donga said:

Quoted message said:

My response to Pascoe, that Crikey have not printed:

Comment on Michael Pascoe's comments on response to his article,
6 Dec.

Michael Pascoe doesn't get it: 4WD drivers already hold us
hostage, from the time they buy the car with mis-applied
favourable tariffs, to every time they fill the tank of their
thirsty beast with fuel without carbon tax, to whenever they run
the motor of this unnecessary tank and pollute our air, to every
time they block the view of other motorists thereby increasing
driving hazards, to when they cause more damage, injury or death
in a crash than would a conventional car.

So why does he sledge cyclists to make his point (whatever it
is)? I can think of a better target.

Bleve> Welcome to "get any reaction" journalism. It means nothing
Bleve> ... and you're pawns in the game by playing along.

I don't agree. I've had plenty of letters printed, all of which do not
demonise cars or car culture but point out the positive elements of
cycling.

That's nice (so have I, for what it's worth) but I don't believe it
does anything except provide you & I with a warm fuzzy.

Quoted message said:

If all that people read about cycling is negative, nihilistic [censored] how
and no one responds, how are people going to hear the other side?

See above, I don't agree that newpapers (or TT, or ACA or any of that
other [censored]) make any real difference.

Quoted message said:

Bleve> Go ride your bike ... that at least, will make a difference!

A difference to what? Not that I need any encouragement to get on my
bike but your statement is somewhat ambiguous.

Everyone that goes riding rather than doing anything else, is good for
all of us. Even those that don't ride (or walk 🙂 ).

Seriously, rather than [censored] into the wind with letters to papers
expressing the daily dose of outrage (ie: don't play the game...)
encourage people you know to ride. That *will* make a difference. A
small difference, sure, but a difference all the same.

Donga said:

Bleve said:

Welcome to "get any reaction" journalism. It means nothing ... and
you're pawns in the game by playing along.

Sorry Bleve, but I don't buy that approach. Sometimes when you hit
back, you land a punch.

You're welcome to your opinion 🙂

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>> "Bleve" == Bleve <[email hidden]> writes:

Bleve> Go ride your bike ... that at least, will make a difference!

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

A difference to what? Not that I need any encouragement to get
on my bike but your statement is somewhat ambiguous.

Bleve> Seriously, rather than [censored] into the wind with letters to
Bleve> papers expressing the daily dose of outrage (ie: don't play
Bleve> the game...) encourage people you know to ride. That *will*
Bleve> make a difference. A small difference, sure, but a difference
Bleve> all the same.

What makes you think I don't do both ;-)
--
Cheers | ~~ __@
Euan | ~~ _-\<,
Melbourne, Australia | ~ (*)/ (*)

Bleve said:

Seriously, rather than [censored] into the wind with letters to papers
expressing the daily dose of outrage (ie: don't play the game...)
encourage people you know to ride. That *will* make a difference. A
small difference, sure, but a difference all the same.

I'd divide letters into two categories. For the opinion letters I'd
agree with Bleve, can't imagine they make that much difference. But the
other letters are the informative ones like the other week pointing out
how roads are actually paid for (I think that one was Euan). Those
letters have value because they are not about who is right and who is
wrong. And some knowledge may actually seep out into the non-cycling public.

DaveB

Bleve said:

Seriously, rather than [censored] into the wind with letters to papers
expressing the daily dose of outrage (ie: don't play the game...)
encourage people you know to ride. That *will* make a difference. A
small difference, sure, but a difference all the same.

Letter writing serves the same purpose, in the end.
It doesnt have the same instant-gratification of suggestion-result to a mate to give riding a go, but it does help sway (and in some cases educate) others to 'our' activity - riding.

I cant help feeling there is a swell happening.
Racing, commuting, recreational riding is ALL on the up. It's not looking to slow down as well.
It's also challenging other road users and peds to think (sometimes pathetically) about cycling. Many times it's confronting to them.
But people dont suddenly flick a switch. Some take years to consider the other side of the coin. We are all just helping them to flip that coin.
Talking, writing, riding, reading. It's all part of our environment.
Positive action requires one key ingredient. Action.
It comes in many forms...

read, write, eat, drink but most importantly, ride on 😄😄😄

DaveB said:

Bleve said:

Seriously, rather than [censored] into the wind with letters to papers
expressing the daily dose of outrage (ie: don't play the game...)
encourage people you know to ride. That *will* make a difference. A
small difference, sure, but a difference all the same.

I'd divide letters into two categories. For the opinion letters I'd
agree with Bleve, can't imagine they make that much difference. But the
other letters are the informative ones like the other week pointing out
how roads are actually paid for (I think that one was Euan). Those
letters have value because they are not about who is right and who is
wrong. And some knowledge may actually seep out into the non-cycling public.

DaveB

I think Euan writes brilliant letters (not blowing smoke up your [censored] or
anything) - I save them, because they're well referenced, and if I need
the info later, it's all there. Some of them I've printed and shoved in
people's faces when they tell me why I shouldn't ride.

Tam

Tamyka Bell said:

I think Euan writes brilliant letters (not blowing smoke up your [censored] or
anything) - I save them, because they're well referenced, and if I need
the info later, it's all there. Some of them I've printed and shoved in
people's faces when they tell me why I shouldn't ride.

Tam

well, you shouldn't be riding Tam! You're female.

Cyclists shouldn't be on roads, because roads are for cars, trucks and buses.

Girls shouldn't be on bikes, because bikes are for boys.

So .. lets get out there and ride and kill two nasty myths at once. And let's be vocal about it to. No point in doing anything proactive without making some noise about it too!

warrwych said:

well, you shouldn't be riding Tam! You're female.

Cyclists shouldn't be on roads, because roads are for cars, trucks and buses.

Girls shouldn't be on bikes, because bikes are for boys.

Get stuffed.

warrwych said:

So .. lets get out there and ride and kill two nasty myths at once. And let's be vocal about it to. No point in doing anything proactive without making some noise about it too!

Ditto to that!

cfs 'stroppy bint' mtb

cfsmtb said:

Get stuffed.

Ditto to that!

cfs 'stroppy bint' mtb

[censored]!! i just wrote out this big rant about being a female cyclist and all the [censored] we put up with and my browser blew a megabyte and dumped me.

to summarise - why the hell should we cop cr@p in the media when we get it on the streets and bike paths? I am downright tired of the constant persecution and vilification. Education occurs not just through proximity (ie ride that bike and be seen) but also through reading and writing. Give the people the facts!!! Give them evidence (ie ride that bike) that supports the letter writing, the lobbying and all the hard bloody work people on this forum and elsewhere do to make cycling "accepted and acceptable" to people less fortunate in their understanding and enthusiasm.

warrwych said:

Tamyka Bell said:

I think Euan writes brilliant letters (not blowing smoke up your [censored]
or
anything) - I save them, because they're well referenced, and if I
need
the info later, it's all there. Some of them I've printed and shoved
in
people's faces when they tell me why I shouldn't ride.

Tam

well, you shouldn't be riding Tam! You're female.

Cyclists shouldn't be on roads, because roads are for cars, trucks and
buses.

Girls shouldn't be on bikes, because bikes are for boys.

Hahahaha but we all know that girls are dumb, too... which explains why
I keep forgetting all that, and I keep riding my bike on the road!

Quoted message said:

So .. lets get out there and ride and kill two nasty myths at once. And
let's be vocal about it to. No point in doing anything proactive without
making some noise about it too!

Hell, yes!

Tam

flyingdutch said:

Bleve said:

Seriously, rather than [censored] into the wind with letters to papers
expressing the daily dose of outrage (ie: don't play the game...)
encourage people you know to ride. That *will* make a difference. A
small difference, sure, but a difference all the same.

Letter writing serves the same purpose, in the end.

I doubt it, but, it's your time, and your angst, and how you choose to
deal with it is your call.

Quoted message said:

It doesnt have the same instant-gratification of suggestion-result to a
mate to give riding a go, but it does help sway (and in some cases
educate) others to 'our' activity - riding.

I'd give that a *very* qualified "maybe".

Quoted message said:

I cant help feeling there is a swell happening.
Racing, commuting, recreational riding is ALL on the up. It's not
looking to slow down as well.

Agreed. But I don't think this has anything to do with what some
ranter responds to some provoker in a newspaper or on trash TV. I
think it has a lot to do with improved facilities (thanks significantly
to the efforts of BV and the BUGs etc) and the increase in petrol costs
and the realisation by joe average that no exercise is bad for him, and
the cheapness of nice bicycles these days (seriously, you can get a
really good MTB for $400 these days, that's -amazingly- cheap ...)

Ever seen a kid hitting a bees nest with a stick for fun? That's all
these "journos" are doing. "we" as what could possibly be called a
community of sorts, can elect to buzz and sting at every stick, or we
can ignore the [censored] and get on with things that make a real
difference. Like, riding bikes, getting everyone we know to at least
think about it - and yes, Euan's letters are well written and
informative etc, and I admire the effort and thought that goes into
them (like Tam does, it's good quality stuff) but I believe* that that
sort of effort is mis-directed.

Quoted message said:

It's also challenging other road users and peds to think (sometimes
pathetically) about cycling. Many times it's confronting to them.
But people dont suddenly flick a switch. Some take years to consider
the other side of the coin. We are all just helping them to flip that
coin.

Agreed.

Quoted message said:

Talking, writing, riding, reading. It's all part of our environment.
Positive action requires one key ingredient. Action.
It comes in many forms...

That's true. You know what I think, and I admire what you do and how
hard you work at getting people cycling. I just hate to see what I
think is effort being wasted by being sucked into time-wasting
"debates" in the stupid-column of the media.

Quoted message said:

read, write, eat, drink but most importantly, ride on 😄😄😄

Ride ... yes 🙂

* believe - as in have no factual basis for this opinion, it's just
what I reckon is the case. YMMV.

warrwych said:

to summarise - why the hell should we cop cr@p in the media when we get
it on the streets and bike paths? I am downright tired of the constant
persecution and vilification.

Infinite idiots, finite bullets.

One of my friends from the bike shop has a kid, this kid has some anger
management issues, and a mentally retarded brother - he gets teased all
the time, and he lashes out by punching the teasers. He keeps getting
expelled from schools accordingly. Everywhere he goes, he gets teased.
Sooner or later, he'll run out of schools. I hope before that
happens, that he works out what's going on and finds a more sustainable
strategy for dealing with it.

The idiots* in the media are looking for things to stir up and tease,
to get a reaction, to sell advertising. Remember this, and it all
becomes clear that it's just some lame sideshow.

* they're not idiots, they're cleverly provoking groups with an axe to
grind to get a reaction.

Bleve said:

Infinite idiots, finite bullets.

One of my friends from the bike shop has a kid, this kid has some anger
management issues, and a mentally retarded brother - he gets teased all
the time, and he lashes out by punching the teasers. He keeps getting
expelled from schools accordingly. Everywhere he goes, he gets teased.
Sooner or later, he'll run out of schools. I hope before that
happens, that he works out what's going on and finds a more sustainable
strategy for dealing with it.

The idiots* in the media are looking for things to stir up and tease,
to get a reaction, to sell advertising. Remember this, and it all
becomes clear that it's just some lame sideshow.

* they're not idiots, they're cleverly provoking groups with an axe to
grind to get a reaction.

sounds like your friends need to provide their child with some support!

I majored in media studies, so I know how it works. I also know that *the public* lap media stuff up and use media trash to base their arguments on, rather than actually engaging any intellect they may have, because, well thats too hard (yeah yeah I am oversimplifying!!! 😉 )

*The Media* is a very powerful tool, which is why politicians and advertisers make use of it. Say no more.