Earn your respect?

[Haitch]

Hi, not sure if this is the right place for this but I just wondered how you all felt about the notion of having to “earn your respect” on the roads? (Per an email from Decathlon on safe cycling)

I always thought respect on the road from other road users was an entitlement to all road users?

Cheers

Paul

[mikeymo]

I'm scrupulous about obeying (obligatory) red lights. And try as much as possible to "earn respect" by not cycling like an idiot, obeying the rules, saying thank you to drivers of motor vehicles who drive safely and courteously, not hurtling down pavements into pedestrians. And such like.

I don't signal that I'm turning in order to "earn respect". My main aim in signalling is to "earn" continued existence. I have a morbid irrational phobia of death

[Haitch]

Yes, I feel similar - I wouldn’t say it’s morbid or irrational and I do my best to comply but promoting the notion of having to earn respect to avoid someone endangering your life doesn’t feel right to me.

[roubaixtuesday]

That's absolutely outrageous!

"Be the one cyclist who sets a good example??"

As someone who has not once, not twice, but three times in the last week been overtaken whilst signalling right, I really don't think those of us on two wheels are in need of this lecture.

I suggest you complain to decathlon.

[mikeymo]

That's absolutely outrageous!

"Be the one cyclist who sets a good example??"

^^ Well said.

[whoof]

It's well meaning but very poor.

Try changing the word cyclist to many other sub-groups in society and see how it sounds.

[iandusud]

Not good. Whilst I agree with the notion that respect is to some extent earned I also believe that by default all people should be treated with respect, and this is particularly pertinent with regard to road users where the consequences of not doing so can be potentially fatal. The idea that cyclists, as apposed to any other group, need to earn respect is outrageous. The inference is that as things stand we don't merit being treated with respect.

Shocking! Ian

[pwa]

I don't want cycling advice from Decathlon, whether it is good, bad or indifferent. They are a shop. Nothing more, just a shop. If I buy something from them, that's the full extent of our relationship.

As for "earning respect", I feel it applies to all road users. If someone looks like they are competent, I feel respect for their road use. If they don't look like they are competent I don't feel respect for their level of skill. But it seems strange to single out cyclists for this "advice", unless decathlon are directing similar words of wisdom to other road user groups.

[slowster]

Today I,

- pulled over three times onto the verge of singletrack country lanes and gravel tracks to allow motor vehicles to drive past me (only one driver raised their hand in thanks).

- twice raised my hand in thanks to oncoming 4x4 drivers on a wide gravel track, who had the forethought and courtesy to slow right down for me in order to avoid producing a dust cloud through which I would have to ride.

- stopped in the road and put my hand out to indicate to the vehicle behind me to stop, because I could see an ambulance with blue lights was going to turn onto the road at a junction just ahead.

I believe in treating other road users and pedestrians with respect and basic common courtesy, and I expect others to treat me similarly.

Anyone who tells me that such respect has to be earned can shove that pompous american trope where the sun doesn't shine.

[pwa]

Today I,

- pulled over three times onto the verge of singletrack country lanes and gravel tracks to allow motor vehicles to drive past me (only one driver raised their hand in thanks).

- twice raised my hand in thanks to oncoming 4x4 drivers on a wide gravel track, who had the forethought and courtesy to slow right down for me in order to avoid producing a dust cloud through which I would have to ride.

- stopped in the road and put my hand out to indicate to the vehicle behind me to stop, because I could see an ambulance with blue lights was going to turn onto the road at a junction just ahead.

I believe in treating other road users and pedestrians with respect and basic common courtesy, and I expect others to treat me similarly.

Anyone who tells me that such respect has to be earned can shove that pompous american trope where the sun doesn't shine.

I agree, but at the same time I don't feel respect for road users who exhibit bad behaviour towards me or towards others.

Perhaps this comes down to which of the different meanings of the word "respect" you are thinking of. There is the respect for all human life, which most of us try to maintain even when provoked. That does not need to be earned. It is something every human deserves. But there is also the sort of respect that comes from observing a level of achievement or competence. I respect the human life that is the youth who chucks rubbish out of a car window but I don't respect the way he behaves.

Today a young man on a mountain bike mounted the pavement near me and sped behind me and close to several other pedestrians. He was out of the saddle and sprinting at, I thought, about 30mph close to pedestrians and close to open shop doorways. I did not feel respect, I felt contempt for how he was behaving. But then I reminded myself that he was young, and at his age I was also a bit reckless. That was me respecting the human, flaws and all.

[cycle tramp]

Decathlon can suck my greasy bearings. They have learnt my contempt.

[rmurphy195]

Hi, not sure if this is the right place for this but I just wondered how you all felt about the notion of having to “earn your respect” on the roads? (Per an email from Decathlon on safe cycling)

I always thought respect on the road from other road users was an entitlement to all road users?

Cheers

Paul

Yup, that's right

[NUKe]

this is the semantics of the English language, Respect has 2 different meanings .

respect as in admiration for a fellow in your field. i.e. people you admire for there job, the way they treat others or their achievements.
Then there is the respect you should show your fellow human beings, so that you are not annoying them, or worst still endangering them. This does not need to be earned by anyone.
It doesn't matter if one guy o a bike is complete ********* , that does not give motorists the right to run over, close pass, abuse the next cyclists they see.

[mjr]

Order I was just assembling cancelled (I was dithering whether to pay the £13 delivery or drive to collect on my next trip) and question asked at https://mobile.twitter.com/mjray/status ... 6982402048

[peetee]

Decathlon has some sensible advice in there , such a shame it is delivered in such a condescending manner.
When it comes to contemptuous selfish behaviour, cyclists on the whole, rather than the inner-city single-speed warrior types, rank well below other road users.