Slowman, Saltamontes post regarding yet another cyclist killed on the road, this time in Miami, got me thinking.
It seems almost every week we hear of another rider killed by a driver, would it not be appropriate to start a category as tribute to those fallen riders (and runners)? It would be a reminder to those of us still practicing our sport on the roads to be careful and ride defensively.
I second that: A memorial and with a spin that emphasizes safety. If something like raised the awareness of road safety and prevented even one accident that would be a very noble accomplishment.
What, Tom and I are the only ones that would like to remember our friends that have died before their time in this way?
Hard to believe!
I care but… its really sad reading about these things. Do we really want an obituary in here…? Its not like I would go about “looking” for them…
Not an obituary, a memorial. If it acts as a reminder of the dangers we face before we go out it could make us a little more circumspect and cautious. Can that be a bad thing?
Hang on there cowboy, that assumption is unfair and comes across as rude and antagonsitic. It’d be as accurate for me to blindly state that only two of the OCD posters are logged on to Slowtwitch this morning? (also rude and unfair to a large group of people)
It’s Saturday. It’s been a couple of hours since the message was posted. Some people have a life outside the computer. Leave it alone for a few days - or keep bumping it to the top as it falls off of the front page so people have a chance to see it next week.
You’ll have some replies, and it is a good idea not just for this board, but for cyclists in general if it could spread. All cyclists are at the mercy of cars, some pay a high price for their passion. Perhaps a large listing like this might focus attention in a positive way encouraging some community somewhere to enact change.
You have a point.
My take on this would be a place where local road hazards and problems could be posted as well as other issues related to safety.
I agree with your point though- it is a dready topic sometimes and a trifle dry. Everyone has a connection to it but it is one people don’t enjoy frequently revisiting. It’s tough. I think a lot of people would prefer to just remain a level removed from reminders of loss. It might be a part of human nature.
The idea of a place to discuss safety issues and a resource to document hazards it a strong idea- I certainly advocate that as a constructive memorial.
Hang on there cowboy, that assumption is unfair and comes across as rude and antagonsitic. It’d be as accurate for me to blindly state that only two of the OCD posters are logged on to Slowtwitch this morning? (also rude and unfair to a large group of people)
It’s Saturday. It’s been a couple of hours since the message was posted.
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A fair and considered response. Couple of points there, though, Spunk.
It’s been 4 hours since posting.
As for rude and unfair, I find being called OCD by a stranger fits those adjectives quite accurately.
It’s been a transition point of the day for most parts of the world, Europe has gone from late afternoon to mid evening, East coast US has gone from mid morning to mid afternoon, West coast has awoken and almost gotten to lunchtime. Pretty active times of the day judging by the number of posts in that timespan.
I think it’s a good idea. Good in the sense that it does in a small way honor those who have fallen, and good in the sense that it will be a constant reminder to the rest of us to pay attention while on the roads, both as cyclist and driver.
I don’t think we can be reminded too much about this topic. It is, after all, a matter of life and death.
Thank you, that was what I was seeking to do.
“As for rude and unfair,…”
How precisely you grasped the point I made of your post - go to the head of the class, well done!
Thank you, I think. It’s rather an obtuse response that you choose, though.
What, Tom and I are the only ones that would like to remember our friends that have died before their time in this way?
Hard to believe!
no, i read it, and care… just wasn’t sure what to respond.
i think that a memorial is a great, simple idea.
a memorial with a message is harder. yes, you want to emphasize safety; but you don’t want the message to say, “if this person was biking safely they would still be alive.” if the message prevents an accident, but also makes it so that fewer people ride their bikes on the road, is that a good thing? for me, i would like to see a message that emphasizes not only the need for bikers to be safe, but also the need for safer driving and better enforcement of traffic laws. but for some people, that would be taking advantage of an individual’s death for my/our own interests.
in previous threads on this & related topics, there are a lot of different opinions about how to respond to the hazards of the roads. it tends to lead to arguments that probably don’t belong in a thread dealing with death. in any case, again, i htink that the question of what message to attach is complicated.
-charles
I’ll jump in on this one…I don’t think the memorial idea is to chastize the cyclist—not necessary or even appropriate. But a reminder that it is indeed oftentimes unsafe on the roads is an appropriate message, along with of course a remembrance of the individual.
Controversial but I have to say I don’t like the idea. I know the tragedies that occur so regularly on the roads are sobering and every cyclist who rides regularly need to know the risks they run. I also appreciate that those who knew cyclists and runners who’ve been killed need a way to remember their friends.
Nevertheless I believe most people who visit a site like this regularly are likely to be aware of the dangers they face and I also imagine that if someone was close enought to a crash victim to need a way to deal with their grief they are likely to manage this in private.
The question is what would a memorial achieve? It would cast a shadow over the whole forum which I think is already a pretty self aware place and doesnt seem to have much of the type of bravado which might be curbed by this perpetual reminder. It would put newbies off a sport which is vastly more likely to have a beneficial effect on their life than risk it and would disproportionately emphasise a very very small risk. Every crash victim will know someone who knows someone who looks at this board so I suspect every crash fatality in the US or Europe at least would find its way here. What would never be represented mentioned is the millions of people who cycle regularly on the roads without incident and whose lives are richer for it.
Just to restate I’m not advocating ignorring the dangers or consequences of cycling on the roads in any way and my sincere sympathies are with anyone who has lost a loved one to our sport. I just feel a permanent memorial on a site like this would be overwhelming.
Julian–How about you just start “The Memorial Thread”. And to it can be posted the story, the picture, a remembrance, etc., or just the facts. If someone posts somewhere else, you, or anyone, can copy it into The Memorial Thread". I suggest you as thread started, as it was your idea, and you are not universally despised on the Forum. At some point, Dan may do what you suggest, but at least all of the information will have been gathered.
I remember a thread by Herbert regarding a bike welder that worked with him and was well-liked and sorely missed. Perhaps that could be found and added. And there is one by Saltamontes, that is more recent. And many others, of course.
and you are not universally despised on the Forum.
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I have my moments ;-0
Good idea. I think I may well do that. I will do a search and see if enough comes up.
Oh, it will come up. search “killed” and “died” and “passed away” but stick to the triathlon forum, or you will get the Iraq posts by MattinSF.
SAdly, they will. I searched cyclist killed first and that hit 370 returns! I’m wrapping up for the night to get ready for tomorrow’s training day, so will return tomorrow.
Hope your day goes well and that you and all ST’ers stay safe out there.
Remember what Sarge in Hill Street Blues finished each roll call with:
“Let’s be careful out there, people.”
BTW–all your posts end with my screenname. Makes it look like I am posting my ass off.