The bike union launched a campaign this week to help smooth over the anger between drivers and motorists. Cyclists are extending the olive branch in the form of thousands of "Thank You" cards to be given out to drivers when they doing something courteous to cyclists. The campaign is partly in response to the angry rhetoric surrounding the death of Darcy Sheppard and the trial of Michael Bryant.
The "Cyclists Paving the Way" campaign is meant to dial down some of the rhetoric being heard in the so-called "war on the car," says Yvonne Bambrick, executive director of the Toronto Cyclists Union.
About 5,000 cards with the words "Thank You" have been printed for cyclists to give to deserving drivers, perhaps by tapping on the car window at a stop light, Bambrick said.
A motorist who looks over his or her shoulder before swinging open their door into the street – sparing an oncoming cyclist the chance of collision – would qualify for a card, Bambrick says.
It's "a chance for cyclists to thank the drivers who do see them, and do treat them with respect and as fellow citizens," she added.
"We're trying to move away from the angry stuff that happened over the summer," she told a group at this weekend's BikeCamp T.O. event, which the union put on to discuss cycling issues.
The city has been establishing more road space for cyclists – at much inconvenience to drivers, some argue – which has been dubbed "war on the car" by critics.
Film technician Marvin Midwicki, 58, said he'll give out the cards to help drivers realize that "cyclists are not crazy people."
Comments
Jennifer (not verified)
nice idea but...
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 14:53I guess I'm a bit skeptical of this campaign. Based on my general experiences, I don't think I'd have the opportunity to give out very many cards. And, frankly, do drivers need a pat on the head for driving responsibly or following the law? Eh. I do my utmost to cycle responsibly and follow the rules, but I don't feel very positive about my cycling experiences in this city.
electric
Few and far between
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 21:23It is hard to distinguish the middle finger from a friendly wave at a distance. After I recover from my shell-shock when somebody does something nice for me I usually just return the wave(hopefully it was a wave otherwise those birdie bearers are confused).
Keeping those bike union cards in pocket might backfire if you never get a chance to hand one out. Hah, wouldn't that be something? Hopefully if somebody picks the cards up they'll have an opportunity to dispense a few before their bitter feelings are confirmed - though I don't know if i'd knock on a window because, that would be a bit like knocking on the glass in the tiger exhibit at the zoo! Maybe just slip it under the special(law abiding) driver's window wiper.
uber (not verified)
here's a start
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 16:24"The "Cyclists Paving the Way" campaign is meant to dial down some of the rhetoric being heard in the so-called "war on the car," says Yvonne Bambrick, executive director of the Toronto Cyclists Union."
great idea!
you can really make a dent (no pun intended) on this "rhetoric" by targeting many (not all!) of the writers/commenters on this site.
youaretheengine (not verified)
Do what they merit.
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 16:37This is a nice idea. While I'm not likely to hand out cards, I do think that motorists deserve credit if they drive courteously, just as they deserve to know if they've screwed up. It's pretty simple. A smile and wave/nod if they check their blindspot or slow to accommodate bicycles, and a yell and stink eye/hand gesture if they cut someone off or drive dangerously.
Sometimes drivers are simply unaware of the dangers they pose, so they should be made aware. Similarly, they will likely appreciate a pleasant reply if they do the right thing.
R A N T W I C K (not verified)
I only do half of that
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 20:39I think that the cards are a fine idea. I also think that a smile and wave recognizing good, alert behaviour is a very good idea. Only one driver will get a card. Who knows how many drivers will see your friendly gesture to someone doing it right? I do the smile and wave thing all the time.
I usually just save my expletives and complaints for some nice solitary muttering, since if allow myself to get angry in traffic, I'm likely to lose focus on the important job of handling my own vehicle.
dash (not verified)
It'd be neat to have small
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 14:04It'd be neat to have small (quarter page, perhaps) fliers that you can stick on the windshield of a parked vehicle thanking them in advance for courteous driving.
hamish (not verified)
another way of toning down rhetoric...
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 16:57If there's the desire to de-escalate rhetoric after the killing of Mr. Sheppard on Boor St., I sorta mean Bloor St., there's another way: Bloor St. bike lanes! - only recommended in this area since 1992...
And sure there are courteous, aware and conscientious motorists out there just as there are two-wheeled passholes, but too "nice" an approach seems like "appathment" as it were - paths in our time, even though the City has difficulty putting in safe routes eg. Wellesley eastbound E of Jarvis.
Svend
Militant kindness?
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 20:17I like the idea of polite demonstrations along Bloor St. every single day during rush hour.
I doubt the traffic would get any slower, it's already gridlocked anyway.
The Pedaller (not verified)
Higher Ground
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 17:29Rise above the bad stuff and be the better road user - to do anything less serves to limit the power of good energy; let it shine man!
chilled (not verified)
Flakey
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 21:49I need a hug real bad!! And I though the flakes were just on the west coast.
Kevin Love
I am not going to be thanking any car driver
Fri, 10/23/2009 - 07:39Why not?
According to Toronto's Medical Officer of Health, car pollution kills 440 people in Toronto each hear and injures 1,700 so severely that they have to be hospitalized.
Just by turning on his engine, a car driver becomes a violent killer thug.
I am certainly not going to thank that violent behaviour. I'm going to try to get it made illegal, with appropriate penalties in proportion to the death and injuries it causes.
The Pedaller (not verified)
Taliban Cycling Club
Fri, 10/23/2009 - 09:46Kevin,
By showing respect to another road user you will foster respect back, that is what we're talking about here.
If you want to apply a fundamentalist philosophy that's OK I guess, just don't expect much as a result. The divisive anti car rhetoric of the past has only served to alienate and polarize cyclists & drivers.
Don't see this as giving in, but more as a means of laying the foundation for mutual understanding.
jamesmallon (not verified)
Get real
Sat, 10/24/2009 - 19:27You do not foster mutual understanding by being a pussy to a bully with a weapon.
Seymore Bikes
Return to Waco
Sat, 10/24/2009 - 20:20Sorry James. I was wrong. I don't know what came over me. I guess the perceptions that people have formed over shared road use in Toronto are more of a call to action than they are a reason to advance social values.
Let me know when the Jihad is forming so I can help eliminate the auto infidels!
Radically yours,
Seymore
PS - Death to America
jamesmallon (not verified)
You imagine this is clever,
Sat, 10/24/2009 - 21:33You imagine this is clever, correct?
Seymore Bikes
imagine
Sun, 10/25/2009 - 13:52Imagine all the people
Sharing all the roads
You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
A.R. (not verified)
Brilliant!
Sun, 10/25/2009 - 21:09Brilliant!
Svend
jamesmallon, you misunderstand
Sat, 10/24/2009 - 21:05jamesmallon, this program is about thanking thoughtful drivers who drive weapons - not the bullies. Maintaining a good relationship with respectful people can go a long way in making cycling better.
jamesmallon (not verified)
This is clever.
Sat, 10/24/2009 - 21:35I disagree with Svend, but he doesn't make me despair.
electric
I partly agree(no you didn't ask me)
Sat, 10/24/2009 - 22:58But you're switching a driver with all drivers, to me it is naive to think that handing out sycophantic cards will improve things allover. The effect, at best, will be temporary and localized. Sorry, it might feel nice to give that card out but, IMHO you're just setting yourself up a larger disappointment... which brings me to this.
Many groups have tried handing out "be good" propaganda cards, these cards will have little to no effect on the enemy(aggressive drivers). If you want to start a rebellion, well... we should be handing out little cards to cyclists, seizing on the inertia of the current mood and touting how other cyclists in other locations around the world have many more freedoms than we do and expressing our group's agenda to bring those freedoms here. Next we will need to usurp the local police and politician's power and intelligence - just cut them out of the loop completely with solidarity building events like critical mass. Politicians will then respond by demanding police crack down on cyclists to satiate the motoring elite's outrage. This will cause further radicalizing of cyclists and making them even more open to considering our revolutionary ideas(admittedly many are already there). I mean, it isn't a hard choice when you're deciding between being turned into hamburger by chubby little ms. motor-head and her mint mocha frappucino or joining a rebellion that could bring you protection, glory and freedom. Anyways, I digress. Once we have gained enough momentum we can make real demands and, I do mean demands...
So maybe those cards are a step in the rebellious direction after all... what more definite way to cause an egregious affront than to have your olive branch of peace crushed under 22" low profile "rimz".
As of now I am recommending everybody hand out those friendship cards and, if that fails... then perhaps it is time for plan B!
P.S. I am also imaging the above satirical musings as clever! :)
Kevin Love
The recommendations of Toronto's Medical Officer of Health
Sat, 10/24/2009 - 11:40I agree with the recommendations of Dr. David McKeown, Toronto's Medical Officer of Health. They may be found at:
http://www.toronto.ca/health/hphe/pdf/air_pollution_burden.pdf
Basically, he recommends an immediate 30% reduction in car traffic through a variety of carrots and sticks. These range from tolls on Toronto's roads to enhancements of cycling and public transit infrastructure.
From page ii) of the Executive Summary:
"A 30% reduction in vehicle emissions in Toronto is projected to save 189 lives and result in 900 million dollars in health benefits."
I particularly commend Table 8 on page 33 and the section entitled "Sustainable Transportation Approach" beginning on page 34.
Getting cars off the road in Toronto will save 440 lives, spare 1,700 people from injuries so severe that they have to be hospitalized, and save $2.2 billion in mortality costs alone. Yes, mortality as in death.
A car driver kills just by turning on the engine. That lethal option needs to be taken away.
Seymore Bikes
Let's Make A Deal
Sun, 10/25/2009 - 10:57Biking more & driving less is the path to true happiness.