Cycling UK Forum

Is it my perception or is the forum, especially this section, becoming more and more a depressing place often full of negatively, moans and rants?

Speaking as a grumpy old git, I think that on a quantitative basis, you are wrong. A quick glance at the forum index shows that the highest thread and post counts are in the request for advice (technical and non-technical) sections. IMO, it's possible to ask just about any question you like and get a range of well-informed, well-intentioned answers, without being treated to scorn and derision.

I'd agree that a lot of the stuff about road conditions, ie both traffic and infrastructure is depressing, but that's a reflection of depressing road conditions. There are some strongly held views on certain subjects here, eg RLJ, segregation, helmets, hi-viz, ninjas, but I get the impression that the strongest recurrent theme is the wish for evidence-based arguments rather than common-sense.

The Tea Shop is purpose-built for chunter and banter. The subjects discussed range widely, and their treatment varies from serious to light-hearted.

I think that fings ain't what they used to be posts (like yours ) are not all thgat common, especially bearing in mind the demographic of some of the membership and comparisons with the past often highlight improvements.

Well... you may wish to consider that a number of contributors on this forum are, or have been cycle campaigners. That implies, at least, that many of us have a history of identifying problems in the system and infrastructure and trying to do something about it.

That is not a discussion that can occur without some negative aspects. I see very few threads or posts that are only moaning; but include discussion about solutions.

The technical section, and touring sections are mostly full of helpful advice, and very little negativity. IMO, the LEJoG board is full of people helping each other do something amazing

A look around at some other internet forums will quickly show that we are pretty civilised on here. On most forums, there is a lot more name-calling amd personal attacks. Some degenerate pretty quickly into people saying really awful, violent things about each other.

But if there is something that we can do better, please let us know what it is

I'll be on the road within the next half hour, cheery thought.

Ere! what's wrong with a good old moan? It's what keeps me going. Seriously though, I think it's probably just human nature - if you are unhappy about a particular subject, moan on on what you think will be a receptive/sympathetic forum.

If you want to hear moaning just wait until the next time I get a headwind. Nothing I've seen on these forums compares

cjs wrote:Is it my perception or is the forum, especially this section, becoming more and more a depressing place often full of negatively, moans and rants?

Bong! Irony detection failure!

Vorpal wrote:A look around at some other internet forums will quickly show that we are pretty civilised on here. On most forums, there is a lot more name-calling amd personal attacks. Some degenerate pretty quickly into people saying really awful, violent things about each other.

Don't I know it! I fled (or was hounded out) of other so-called 'cycling' forums on account of it. I commend the Mods on this one for getting the balance about right. Too light a touch and the trolls take over. Too heavy, and people start to resent the mods and say so openly (been there too!)

But I think that's not what the OP is on about. He is more concerned about the negative image of cycling put across by so many threads about nasty incidents on the road, along with helmet-cam footage. The erroneous message 'cycling is dangerous' gets reinforced time and time again. In my view, cycling is not dangerous - I mean, not any more dangerous than other common activites like gardening or football. But a statistical assessment of all the threads in this section of the forum, would suggest otherwise.

I don't think there's an answer to this. As far as On the Road is concerned, no news is good news...

mjr wrote:

cjs wrote:Is it my perception or is the forum, especially this section, becoming more and more a depressing place often full of negatively, moans and rants?

Bong! Irony detection failure!

I don't get you (well, I suppose I do). What was ironic about the OP?

661-Pete wrote:

mjr wrote:

cjs wrote:Is it my perception or is the forum, especially this section, becoming more and more a depressing place often full of negatively, moans and rants?

Bong! Irony detection failure!

I don't get you (well, I suppose I do). What was ironic about the OP?

Moaning about too much moaning

Why do we always come here?

I guess we'll never know!

Maybe we should all post every time we have an incident free ride.

I tried that some time ago.
I posted about "no incidents" on a ride but the thread became a thread about incidents!

Mrs P and I rode to Haywards Heath and back this afternoon. About 17 miles round trip.
We went there to choose and order some wallpaper.
No incidents. Plenty of potholes on the minor roads (due to recent flooding) but we managed to avoid them all.
Nice sunny weather, a trifle chilly.
On the main roads leading into town, traffic was heavy, but there were no unwelcome encounters. Motorists gave us room.
Will that do?

Cycled 6000 miles last year and all without any notable incident bar one.