Ethical Cycling - Just My Opinion
In the last month or so I've heard a lot about ethics in the media. As an ex-chalkie (school teacher) I was amused to hear parents and religious leaders debating the introduction of an Ethics Course in schools. They did not want children being taught values that they did not agree with. I thought: How did they think teachers manage student behaviour without teaching some values along the way? Talk about parental heads in the sand!
The new Ethics Course in schools encourages conversations about our actions and how they reflect the values we hold. Then there are green ethics, police ethics etc. Even my son has a compulsory ethics course in his engineering course! "What's ethics got to do with pouring concrete?" he asked. That was the starting point of an interesting and complex family conversation.
What does ethics have to do with a cycling club you ask? I started thinking about what a club actually is. Googling "club" I got:
"1. A heavy staff of wood, usually tapering, and wielded with the hand; a weapon; a cudgel."
"2. An association of persons for the promotion of some common object, as literature, science, politics, good fellowship, etc.; esp. an association supported by equal assessments or contributions of the members."
(ref: define.com)
Hmm ... I think I want definition 2, and as a bonus I now know what a cudgel is. We are "an association supported by the contributions of members" - both active (leaders, office bearers) and passive (ride participants). Put a group of people together and you will inevitably have conflicting values. In a club, you might expect the values of the members to be somewhat aligned, otherwise it's not a club. How do you get an alignment of values? I believe club members need to have conversations about them.
A ride leader recently opted out of leading a ride due to his concerns about the behaviour of some club members. The issue was that on the same day and at much the same time as he was conducting the ride advertised - a mountain bike ride - he saw a number of club members cycling together on what appeared to be an organised ride. His observation was that a number of these club members and their bikes were quiet capable of the advertised ride. These riders appeared to simply have chosen not to participate in the advertised ride, and to have decided "to do their own thing" as a group.
What's a supportive club member, who wants to act ethically do in this situation? Being trike riders this has come up for my companion and I previously. Some MTB rides are just not suitable for the trikes and some road rides are paced faster than we like, or some rides have starting points a long way from our home. That's all ok, we think the club should cater for a variety of bicycle users. On these occasions, we reckon if we cyle together on an alternative ride of our own it's OK. Maybe we'd even invite a third (or, at a pinch, a fourth) club member along if we knew someone who didn't have a cycling 'buddy'.
If the number gets to 4 or 5 club members, then, its a ride organised in conflict with the advertised ride. It's not too much to ask club members to avoid this on the one or two occasions a month that advertised rides (excluding the weekly social ride) are offered. This way all club members get the opportunity of a ride while also supporting the leader of the advertised ride by not drawing potential participants away from their advertised ride.
There are club members who do not regularly cycle the club's organised rides. These riders are often involved with other cycling clubs in the area. I don't think it was these people who were observed by the ride leader.
It would seem reasonable that if we regularly use the service of the advertised rides, and want leaders to continue to volunteer, we support the leaders by giving our first priority to the advertised ride. If we're not participating in the advertised ride, we should keep our alternate group small - 2 or 3. (Chances are you met some of these 2 or 3 on a club ride in the first place!)
Alternately, the club might choose to offer 2 rides at the same time when a "specialist" ride is offered e.g. MTB and recreational at the same time, a ride starting in town when one is offered with a starting distance some kilometres from town, beginners' ride vs experts etc etc - but - we struggle to get leaders as it is. So this could pose problems!
What do other club members think?
Carrie Trike
The new Ethics Course in schools encourages conversations about our actions and how they reflect the values we hold. Then there are green ethics, police ethics etc. Even my son has a compulsory ethics course in his engineering course! "What's ethics got to do with pouring concrete?" he asked. That was the starting point of an interesting and complex family conversation.
What does ethics have to do with a cycling club you ask? I started thinking about what a club actually is. Googling "club" I got:
"1. A heavy staff of wood, usually tapering, and wielded with the hand; a weapon; a cudgel."
"2. An association of persons for the promotion of some common object, as literature, science, politics, good fellowship, etc.; esp. an association supported by equal assessments or contributions of the members."
(ref: define.com)
Hmm ... I think I want definition 2, and as a bonus I now know what a cudgel is. We are "an association supported by the contributions of members" - both active (leaders, office bearers) and passive (ride participants). Put a group of people together and you will inevitably have conflicting values. In a club, you might expect the values of the members to be somewhat aligned, otherwise it's not a club. How do you get an alignment of values? I believe club members need to have conversations about them.
A ride leader recently opted out of leading a ride due to his concerns about the behaviour of some club members. The issue was that on the same day and at much the same time as he was conducting the ride advertised - a mountain bike ride - he saw a number of club members cycling together on what appeared to be an organised ride. His observation was that a number of these club members and their bikes were quiet capable of the advertised ride. These riders appeared to simply have chosen not to participate in the advertised ride, and to have decided "to do their own thing" as a group.
What's a supportive club member, who wants to act ethically do in this situation? Being trike riders this has come up for my companion and I previously. Some MTB rides are just not suitable for the trikes and some road rides are paced faster than we like, or some rides have starting points a long way from our home. That's all ok, we think the club should cater for a variety of bicycle users. On these occasions, we reckon if we cyle together on an alternative ride of our own it's OK. Maybe we'd even invite a third (or, at a pinch, a fourth) club member along if we knew someone who didn't have a cycling 'buddy'.
If the number gets to 4 or 5 club members, then, its a ride organised in conflict with the advertised ride. It's not too much to ask club members to avoid this on the one or two occasions a month that advertised rides (excluding the weekly social ride) are offered. This way all club members get the opportunity of a ride while also supporting the leader of the advertised ride by not drawing potential participants away from their advertised ride.
There are club members who do not regularly cycle the club's organised rides. These riders are often involved with other cycling clubs in the area. I don't think it was these people who were observed by the ride leader.
It would seem reasonable that if we regularly use the service of the advertised rides, and want leaders to continue to volunteer, we support the leaders by giving our first priority to the advertised ride. If we're not participating in the advertised ride, we should keep our alternate group small - 2 or 3. (Chances are you met some of these 2 or 3 on a club ride in the first place!)
Alternately, the club might choose to offer 2 rides at the same time when a "specialist" ride is offered e.g. MTB and recreational at the same time, a ride starting in town when one is offered with a starting distance some kilometres from town, beginners' ride vs experts etc etc - but - we struggle to get leaders as it is. So this could pose problems!
What do other club members think?
Carrie Trike
Labels: club ethics, cycling ethics, ethical discussion, good cycling manners
posted by Coffs BUG member at
11:30 am
7 Comments:
Hi Carrie Trike, just finished reading your blog, I am making a comment not about any specific instance or person/s but also from an "ethical" point of view as I think you did.
My point of view is simple you should respect and support the club to which you belong. Remembering that the associations that have been formed are due to the existance of that club.
If one begins to operate outside that club and in competition with that club, in substantial numbers then I believe those involved are not supporting the club or behaving in its best interest. I believe it does not show respect for the club or its members.
I think open communication is necessary in order to accommodate all members needs to the club's best ability. Carrie Trike has made some good suggestions but if we continue to operate based on individual needs above club needs then by definition the club no longer exists .
Anyway I feel like I've tied myself in a big enough knot and got lost in the ethics bit.
I know I enjoy the divergence in our club and the friendliness I think it is something special.
Maybe it just comes down to respect and communication?
Ghost Rider
Well I was one of the "naughty" riders seen riding on the road. I never have, nor will I, participate in a mountain bike ride. The people I rode with I met on the Saturday Commmunity rides, not the BUG, in fact the BUG probably owes a great deal of its current members to the Saturday community ride.
Over the time I have been with the BUG I have done much to support it, including taking an active role in the committee and being a ride leader on many occasions.
I feel is ludicrous to suggest people not be allowed to ride when and with whom and with however many people they like in their own time. If that is to become a club rule then I for one will happily leave. Clubs need to cater for people, if they don't then people don't participate. Perhaps someone needs to start a mountain bike club?
If anyone wants a truly open discussion feel free to give me a call. Best to all, Cheryl Dooley
Thank you for your comments. I was interested in what other club members thought about the needs of the individual rider vs the need to encourage a club ethos that members feel happy with. I wasn't suggesting the club develop a set of rules per se, but rather have a conversation about what our social expectations as the group are - in much the same way we have a social expectation that we wouldn't ride past a club member with a flat tyre on the side of the road.
Hi to all fellow riders, I can see no reason, ethical or otherwise, why a group should be restricted from riding anywhere at any time. Why restrict to 2 or 3, why not 4 or 5 or whatever. Who decides how many? What if 2 groups meet and want to ride together?
Just relax, enjoy the rides and the companionship. The less rules the better.
I will support the club and respect all members worthy of respect regardless.
yes, I think you've made some really good points there - especially to relax, enjoy the ride and enjoy the companionship.
thanks for your thoughts!
Well said John. Just for the record I'm leading an East Bank road ride in July. I know the hills of East Bank aren't everyone's cup of tea, so if a group wants to do an easy town ride at the same time I will not be offended, though you'll be missing a great challenge :-). We all have to do the rides that we want to do and for me that is what respect is about.
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