Cycling in Sydney Australia
"Bloody cyclists" elevator conversation.
Got into a packed lift today and one of my clients started having a dig at me.
"Bloody Couriers they take up so much space" (he was referring to my bag)
Then another client joined in sarcastically about cyclists taking up space on the road.
Agreeing with them worked really well.
" Yes and we park our bloody bikes on the road also... Why shouldn't we block two lanes of traffic just to park our bicycles?"
"And why don't cyclists like me pay to use our roads?"
A random person in the lift joined in "Yeah"
"Cyclists don't pay taxes, rent or even council rates."
"Cyclists should clearly be paying registration to insure us for the 0.2 people we kill a year."
"75% of Adult cyclists shouldn't be allowed to leave their registered motorvehicles at home"
Then it was time to jump out....
If only the lift conversation lasted forever.
What would you have said?
"Bloody Couriers they take up so much space" (he was referring to my bag)
Then another client joined in sarcastically about cyclists taking up space on the road.
Agreeing with them worked really well.
" Yes and we park our bloody bikes on the road also... Why shouldn't we block two lanes of traffic just to park our bicycles?"
"And why don't cyclists like me pay to use our roads?"
A random person in the lift joined in "Yeah"
"Cyclists don't pay taxes, rent or even council rates."
"Cyclists should clearly be paying registration to insure us for the 0.2 people we kill a year."
"75% of Adult cyclists shouldn't be allowed to leave their registered motorvehicles at home"
Then it was time to jump out....
If only the lift conversation lasted forever.
What would you have said?
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Comment by Kylie on September 9, 2009 at 7:59pm -
"this is my floor, 'scusi"
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Comment by Mark on September 9, 2009 at 8:26pm -
Theres nothing stopping you taking advantage of the advantages that i have by riding my bike, you may even enjoy yourself.
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Comment by JP on September 9, 2009 at 10:07pm -
Hmmmm, the old gang mentality play. Just to get a bit back I would've caned the random who decided to pipe up. Life is just too short to worry about felchers like that. Just be happy knowing that in a few years when they can't see where they're taking a leak because of their ever expanding gut, you will still be living the dream man.
Of course there are several other more confrontational ways of handling the situation, but as a lover, not a fighter (the wife is sniggering as she peers over my shoulder), I can't condone them. If you want some tips though...
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Comment by Kylie on September 9, 2009 at 10:32pm
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I'm back. Mark I've been thinking about your comment, that's pretty good really. Whenever someone complains about anything to do with cyclists, just point out that their jealousy is unnecessary because they are free to ride a bike too. Good attitude :-)
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Comment by Jake on September 9, 2009 at 11:31pm -
How about "What really annoys me is the way they cut through the traffic while I sit there in my box burning petrol, it's just not fair, I should at least arrive faster if I'm going to cause all that pollution. I mean I need to work longer hours to pay for my car, and fuel and rego and then I spend hours commuting!"
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Comment by Kim on September 10, 2009 at 8:09am -
I had a similar thing happen to me once. Thankfully I was with a work colleague who is also a cyclist. We mentioned politely to the instigator how angry and unhealthy he was (he had a packet of smokes and had other obvious health issues) and how cycling would help him prevent that heart attack that was clearly going to happen. It shut him up pretty quickly especially when his friends wet themselves laughing.
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Comment by BikeSaint on September 10, 2009 at 9:48am
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I just called the ATO (132861) to ask if I could register with them as a cyclist to get the exemption from paying taxes that all these drivers have been telling me about. He checked with his supervisor and regrets to inform me that cyclists have to pay taxes, too. Now you can tell those drivers and lift passengers that we've had it checked with the ATO and it's not true.
Actually I like Kylie's response, that they don't have to be jealous - they can ride a bike too, is the best.
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Comment by Carlin on September 10, 2009 at 10:10am -
I would have said nothing...
And fart.
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Comment by naomi on September 10, 2009 at 11:16am -
Just as well they never need efficient delivery services!
I have a friend whose body corporate recently tried to ban people keeping their bikes in their apartments because they objected to them being taken in lifts...wait for it...because they were unsightly!
Now my friend is a lawyer so lucky for them they received a very sarcastic letter about his happiness to comply if they were willing to cover the cost of insurance for his $8k bike in the shed and to pay for the attendant to be available at 24hrs for him to get it out given his 5am rides.
Needless to say this was one of our glorious eastern harbourside properties!
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Comment by Freewheelin' Franklin on September 10, 2009 at 6:44pm -
not to mention banning his neighbours unsightly children from the lift
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