Who, exactly, do you think you are?
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I've been through this before on 2oceansvibe and I feel compelled to do it again.

I was taking a drive on my scooter this morning en route to a light breakfast at Miss K in Green Point (block next to Vida e block (awesome)). I came up to a red traffic light and stopped. Whilst waiting at the light, there were a number of cyclists simply whizzing through the red. Once the light turned green I caught up with one of the cyclists and drove alongside him, asking him why he felt he shouldn't stop at the light. He had a VERY annoying face - the kind you would love to punch. Hard. I asked him if he was aware that it was a law that he should stop at the light.

Nothing. He just carried on cycling, with his stupid face.

Then I asked him if he had any kids. "Yes," he answered.

That was when I came up with a very simple and hopefully conclusive question, "Given that bicycles are the only form of transport that children have - do you think it is a good thing that kids are witnessing thousands of cyclists going through red traffic lights non-stop, everyday? Should I not be allowed to also go through red lights on my scooter?"

He came up with a fantastically pathetic retort and asked, "Are you on drugs?"

No my friend, I am not on drugs. But can I ask you something?

WHO THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

The fact that it is illegal is actually incidental to the argument.

Do you think it's right for adults to be seen going through

each and every red light on their bikes?

Surely kids will do the same thing and end up dead?

Given that a large handful of Atlantic Seaboard cyclists are parents,

is this a good example?

Should I not also be able to go through a red on my scooter?

Are cyclists above the law?

Excuse the pun, but you don't have a fucking leg to stand on.

Take responsibility, for God's sake. This issue is a lot bigger than simple "lactic acid build-up."

Christ, it's pathetic.


Seth Rotherham
Editor
2oceansvibe.com
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UPDATE: A discussion seems to have developed on one of SA's cycling forums in response to this article. Check out the 6 pages (so far) of debate here.