Thread by @HeartAGlow

1/ Begin thread: Hi #YYJ Looking for ideas: Let's talk! How can we bridge growing antagonism that divides #cyclists vs #drivers?
backdated @Douglasmagazine Opinion: Cooling the Cycling Conflict In Victoria douglasmagazine.com/cooling-the-cy…

2/ I refuse to believe it's irreconcilable. Many drivers are also cyclists-many cyclists are also drivers. So why is the discourse almost always about "us vs them"? #YYJ #YYJTraffic

3/#FullDisclosure: I'm coming from the viewpoint of someone who can no longer cycle: one who is both envious of and rejoices in, those who can .

4/ I want #YYJ roads to be safer for cyclists. (despite actual accusations to the contrary that I'm some privileged member of some car cabal trying to maintain my right to operate my murderous vehicle with impunity)

5/ All that being said, here comes disclaimer #2
I am becoming increasingly angry at cyclists. And that really pisses me off - because it's not them at all that I'm angry at -

6/ Well to be honest, I'm angry at some cyclists.The ones who defy road rules. But I'm just as angry at drivers who do so.

7/What I'm most concerned about - what I'm trying to achieve; is to find a way collectively, for us to diffuse the anger I see building.

8/ We all see the escalating road rage. Whether it's cyclists with so many examples of angry/idiot drivers putting them in danger/causing accidents.

9/ Or cases where cyclists have decided enough is enough, and retaliate in dangerous/aggressive ways meant to make drivers aware of them.

10/ So...What can be done? to de-escalate this anger? It doesn't just affect *everyone's* safety on the road - it affects our psyche- our state of mind- our sense of connection with our neighbours, our community.

11/ I'm so tired of being angry. I'm so tired of sensing/feeling this anger from so many.

12/ Mostly, I'm angry that we seem to be directing our anger at the wrong target-

13/ Maybe there is no solution. Maybe the only acceptable resolution for cyclists is "no cars". Maybe the only alternative for drivers is "no cyclists". Both extremes seem ludicrous and unachievable to me.

14. So my anger is at :
a. those who refuse to engage in convo/compromise
b. @CityOfVictoria ramming thru road changes w/out (despite their assertions to the otherwise) clearly communicating and being confident of support of majority of #YYJ citizens.

15/ IMO it's squarely on the shoulders of @CityOfVictoria for creating this anger, this sad sad divide; among neighbours and community at large- pitting us against each other,,,,,

16/ For what purpose? (Any answer I give is conjecture) But it seems @CityOfVictoria policies are rooted solely in enacting their personal ideologies.

17/ But *we* (all of we who voted) elected them #YYJ (@CityOfVictoria) to represent us . And presumably we did so understanding their POV-their intentions -?

18/ If you've gotten to this point in my thread - TYVM-
it was a kind of stream of consciousness convo I was having w/myself about #YYJ #bikelanes #anger #BridgingTheDivide #YYJ #YYJPoli

19/ Pls refer back to begin thread; and reply any ideas you may have on this subject. TY and appreciate .
1/ Begin thread: Hi #YYJ Looking for ideas: Let's talk! How can we bridge growing antagonism that divides #cyclists vs #drivers?

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