R.E.S.P.E.C.T find out what it means to me.

I was sitting in my car at a roundabout giving way to traffic on my right, when further back i see a man on a bicycle.
Cool. Bike riders are rare where I live in Australia.
Respect to my cycling brother.
I'll certainly wait a bit longer and give way to this dude, who is obviously travelling straight through the roundabout.
But as I sit there thinking 'respect to you my friend' he promptly turns left!
No hand signal. He just shot around the corner.

mmmmm. A certain amount of respect for that particular bike pedaling dude was lost right there and then - and I'm a fellow bike rider.
Imagine what a full-time, hot-headed motorist would think!

Respect does go both ways.

How hard is it to stick your hand out and let those around you know that you intend turning left?
It's not hard.
It gives you and the driver good vibes if you use your hand signals, maybe give a wink, a nod or a wave to motorists who give way to you.

It all get's back to 'treating others how you would like to be treated' - and that's gone missing in Australia of late.

I like to smile when I ride, I like to nod, wink and wave.. and let drivers know I'm having a great time on my bike. And I hope it might just rub off on someone.

That's how I roll.

Australian Cycle Survey 2013

Results of an online cycling survey in Australia, April 2013.
from approx 300 responses:

When asked, 'Which words best describe bike riding?' (more than one could be chosen)
For Females the results were....
Exercise 61%
Enjoyable 49%
Transport 38%
Environmentally friendly 38%

For Males the results were....
Exercise 58%
Transport 58%
Enjoyable 56%
Environmentally friendly 36%

When asked, 'How often do you ride currently?'
For Females the results were....
Used to, but not anymore 31%
Hardly ever 23%
Daily 18%
Weekly 15%
Monthly 10%

For Males the results were....
Daily 37%
Weekly 29%
Used to but not anymore 14%
Hardly ever 12%
Monthly 7%

Those surveyed who don't ride were asked why?
For Females the results were....
Don't have access to a bike 53%
Bike riding is too dangerous 24%
Don't like wearing a helmet 23%

For Males the results were....
Don't have access to a bike 60%
Don't like wearing a helmet 35%
Cycling is 'uncool' 20%