I am not a cyclist… I am Max & Shelley’s Dad, who rides a bike
I am not a cyclist … I am Hilary’s lover , who rides a bike
I am not a cyclist…. I am ______________ who rides a bike (fill the blank)
Isn’t it so easy for motorist’s to say, it’s just a bloody cyclist and de-personalise us on the road.
Many motorists celebrate as their kids learn to ride a bike, what if it was their child, or a friends child or dad, you were about to take out.
Today Hilary and I attended the Cycle Action Auckland rally for saver roads. 3 years on from when Hilary broke her back, caused by a driver of an old Mercedee’s in Wellington, who did not want to share the road. Thank god Hilary is back mobile again, but sharing the road is something we’re passionate about.
It was great to see so many people of all shapes and sizes there to support safer riding on the roads.
A few tears were seen, when husband of recent death victim in Morrisonville spoke about how his family loved action and cycling, and how his son witnessed from his bike his mother die in front of him.
The rally was to call for increased funding from the national transport budget to improve cycling safety. The funds are required for –
- Continuous arterial road cycle lanes in cities and shoulders on key rural roads.
- Cycle training in schools and for adults who want to cycle for transport.
- Road safety campaign with fresh and specific messages for safe cycling and driving.
Some messages taken from the speakers:
– Encourage kids to learn to ride on the road, in a safe manner, they will become better drivers later on in life
– Cyclist’s (sorry “bike riders”) encourage your mates to ride safely on the road.
– Don’t txt while driving – you are weaving on the road – killing people
Congrats Cycle Action Auckland – it was a great event and good to see bike NZ and council behind the cause.
Join up to Cycle Action Auckland, or at least follow their blog at www.caa.org.nz
Video Clip from TVNZ
http://tvnz.co.nz//national-news/cyclists-in-undeclared-civil-war-3944383/video?vid=3944939
Mark Robotham's Blog 