Cycling UK's use of social media

[pjclinch]

Of course, I was forgetting that CUK is now about individuals and not so much about groups who have been sidelined. It's far easier to mould the minds of individuals than to try it on larger units who may have an element of groupthink and hierarchical expertise.

That all makes it sound like some sort of plot.

The reality is it's a lot easier for members to stay in touch with an organisation and vice versa than it was back in the 20th Century, in large part down to social media. It's not so much groups have been sidelined as they have continued much as they were while everyone who's not that interested in them has become much more visible.

While I'm not averse to groups I prefer to be on my own or with my missus, and she's tried groups and on the whole doesn't like them much. Part of that is, well, the element of groupthink and supposed hierarchical expertise, where there's their way or the wrong way.

Pete.

[Bmblbzzz]

Does "groups" in this context refer to all social groupings, or specifically to what used to be called DAs and Local Sections? If the former, I disagree that groups have been sidelined.

[PH]

not so much about groups who have been sidelined.

CTC Groups have been making this point since at least the 1950's. It's a recurring theme in our DA's AGM's going back that far. Along with - Not enough youngsters joining and The youngsters keep going of the front and ignoring the pace set by the leader... That and how bad the traffic is compared to ten years ago.

[rareposter]

an element of groupthink and hierarchical expertise.

My mind autocorrects that to "stuck-in-their-ways" and "it's our way or nothing".

Edit: almost exactly as the 3-4 posts above mine!

[mattheus]

not so much about groups who have been sidelined.

CTC Groups have been making this point since at least the 1950's. It's a recurring theme in our DA's AGM's going back that far. Along with - Not enough youngsters joining and The youngsters keep going of the front and ignoring the pace set by the leader... That and how bad the traffic is compared to ten years ago.

[Ginge_126]

Without trying to blur the lines with Sustrans and others, CUK seem to have the balance right in the latest magazine.
It's more about ordinary folk using a bike for transport, normalising the fact that it's a handy and relatively cheap way to get about and do your everyday stuff.
Personally I think normalising the bike as efficient transport and pushing the narrative with people using a bike in ordinary clothing might help.the amount of people I can think of that either see it as low status, or just something for other people in licra is staggering. Just the thought of using a bike instead of the car would attract a scoff as if to say 'me, cycle, why?'. They're not particularly anti cycling, just anti them cycling.

Most people only see lycra clad men or youngsters and don't relate to either.

The other thing that needs a hefty shift is the bike market. They will have to accommodate more practical bikes and kit, like you'd find in the Netherlands and less leisure orientated bikes which aren't ideal in all weathers.

A whole mindset needs a steady consistent shift.

[cycle tramp]

Absolutely... I 100% with you.. and I think it we're getting there..

One of the nicest things I liked about the whole gravel bike thing, wasn't the disc brakes or wider tyres, or the 1 x whatever gearing... but rather it was about exploration and experience (and shared experience) rather than performance.. it would be great to see the rise of the sub 24 adventure scene..

...the other bike movement, which has taken me by surprise is the rise of the cargo bike. It's brilliant that we have (in some areas), parents taking their children to school or going shopping on them or whatever.. (and, no, its not virtue signaling or being woke or whatever) its just people making some memories in the time that's available, saving a bit of cash on petrol and doing a bit of exercise...
And if you're a bike manufacturer who is late to the cargo bike scene.. I'd really love a UK version of a set of cargo forks, or even a new design of leap xtracycle..

[Bmblbzzz]

Cargo bikes have, I think, really taken off since they got electrified. Understandably, most "non-cyclists" don't feel up to pedalling two kids and their kit to school.

[slowster]

This thread - viewtopic.php?p=1936042#p1936042 started by BeccieA of CUK seeking stories and videos of closs pass incidents illustrates why CUK needs a good social media strategy. As dutchbike has advised on the thread, the information that CUK now wants (at very short notice) has been captured online by road.cc's forum - viewtopic.php?p=1936042#p1936042.

CUK needs to learn from this and develop a social media strategy that will help it to achieve its long term goals.

[AndyK]

This thread - viewtopic.php?p=1936042#p1936042 started by BeccieA of CUK seeking stories and videos of closs pass incidents illustrates why CUK needs a good social media strategy. As dutchbike has advised on the thread, the information that CUK now wants (at very short notice) has been captured online by road.cc's forum - viewtopic.php?p=1936042#p1936042.

CUK needs to learn from this and develop a social media strategy that will help it to achieve its long term goals.

No, that thread is a prime example of how people don't read what's being asked for before they weigh in. I suggest you go back and re-read what BeccieA is actually requesting.

The stories are the key thing. She doesn't want random online video clips, she wants identifiable individual people who can recount a personal story of a close pass accompanied by video footage, and who can be quoted or interviewed.

The idea will be to offer the media (that includes conventional media channels, not just social media) a package of materials that they can then use as a story, or can even (via CUK) contact the person involved and get their own quote, combined with a quote from a Cycling UK spokesperson about how this is typical of cyclists' experiences around the country. That's how the media works. Watch a few regional news TV programmes sometime (if you can bear it) and you can spot the stories that have been quickly-assembled from material sent to them by some charity or campaign or other.

[mjr]

This thread - viewtopic.php?p=1936042#p1936042 started by BeccieA of CUK seeking stories and videos of closs pass incidents illustrates why CUK needs a good social media strategy. As dutchbike has advised on the thread, the information that CUK now wants (at very short notice) has been captured online by road.cc's forum - viewtopic.php?p=1936042#p1936042.

CUK needs to learn from this and develop a social media strategy that will help it to achieve its long term goals.

No, that thread is a prime example of how people don't read what's being asked for before they weigh in. I suggest you go back and re-read what BeccieA is actually requesting.

The stories are the key thing. She doesn't want random online video clips, she wants identifiable individual people who can recount a personal story of a close pass accompanied by video footage, and who can be quoted or interviewed.[...]

I suggest you go back and reread what's actually been suggested on that thread. It's not just random video clips, but suggestions of where to find people with the types of stories wanted and video so BeccieA can contact them. C UK is basically not currently a place people send videos of close passes, so it seems unlikely to get many good ones in winter when there are fewer people, riding less and less likely to bother with cameras with cold games and worse image quality.

But it sounds like you feel everyone else should go to CUK and outreach isn't something it does any more. It's that sort of "do all the work for us or we don't help you" approach from large charities that tends to lead to smaller charities giving up on alliances and collaborations.