Posts by Stephen Judd
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I think the war has different drivers here, and I don't know that it's the same war. For example, concern from leaders in poorer communities about the effects of drugs on their young people. It's genuine, not posturing, and if we believe in decriminalisation/legalisation we need to communicate better the harm that current policy has on their young people as they become enmeshed in the "justice" system. Or on another front, we don't have the prison-industrial complex here -- in the US, I understand that prison operators and correctional officer unions are amongst the biggest lobbyists for their domestic policy.
One of my minor missions in Labour is to get decriminalisation on the policy agenda. Labour is ostensibly committed to evidence-based policy and that seems like a good lever to me. Young Labour had some good wins at the conference this year, and I note that Di Whitter from Just Speak gave a session on this topic.
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Capture: Someone, Somewhere, In Summertime, in reply to Lilith __,
Thanks! I should clarify that the sad office Santa is one of my colleagues, not me. I look like this.
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Oh yeah, Christmas in the office.
And my favourite summer moment, when my daughter and partner saw the Oparara Arches for the first time.
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Capture: Someone, Somewhere, In Summertime, in reply to Jos,
It's here.
See also DOC website, Wikipedia.
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Went bouldering at Castle Hill on the weekend. The sky really did look like that. It’s a freaky place.
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I ride for transport not pleasure most days. Probably drive the car 2-3 times a week, mostly longer trips on weekends.
In the 10 or so years I've been doing it, I reckon I've had definitely malicious behaviour -- dodgy driving, shouting, thrown things, what have you -- about once a year on average. I've never had any driving road rage incidents in that time. So I'd say that full-on aggression to cyclists is rare in my experience, but it's more common than inter-motorist aggro.
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Also, I think I should tell a balancing anecdote from a few weeks ago.
I was biking along Greers Road in Christchurch, heading towards Harewood Road, and ahead of me at a side street to my left, a car full of dodgy looking youths was looking for a gap to pull out and make a right turn. I was going to turn down that side street anyway, and I know how hard it is to get that kind of gap on that road, so I conscientiously made a left hand signal. As they pull out and around the driver and a rear passenger both leaned out the window... and shouted "indicating! Yay!" with massive grins. I gave them a cheery wave and fun was had by all.
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Hard News: When "common sense" isn't, in reply to James,
the driver responded by accelerating out into the oncoming lane to pass me, then braking to a halt while fishtailing me into the kerb.
Police. Do it. And complain to the boss.
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I have an 8km commute, 16 km a day. I ride at a pace that leaves me with plenty of wind and little sweat, usually in the range 18-24 kph.
Average time to work is 18 minutes in a car and 23 minutes on a bike -- the car of course spends lots of time stuck at lights. Biking "costs" me 10 minutes extra per day, but I save $$$ every week riding as well as the physical and mental health benefits. If I was in poorer shape and it took me half an hour, or 35 mins on the bike, I think would still do it, but now it's a no-brainer.
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The thing about making hi viz compulsory, as opposed to recommended, is that it is a garment that is easy to lose or misplace. I have one for night riding but every so often I just can’t find it.
As Jack observed, moving lights are much more likely to get driver attention. I think fluoro ankle reflectors would be better anyway.
During the day, I am an upright tweedy commuter on an old-fashioned bike. I rarely get cut off and I generally shout “hello!” and then wave. Universally, the recipient is embarassed.
I also have a loud and beautiful bell for warning pedestrians up ahead on shared paths.
When we get better designed roads and cycleways, it’ll be all good.
