'Rider down' threads for strangers - yes or no?

**mattian** · 15th January 2009, 16:41

I think its important to know how and why accidents happen to riders. If god forbid something should ever happen to me, I would have no problem with people discussing it in an internet forum for christs sake. COndololences and messages of support don't loose the sincerity of their meaning just because its said over the internet.

**Hiflyer** · 15th January 2009, 16:43

oh and even though the options are worded in an interesting way i just took it as yes and no. and voted yes as i may not find out any other way

**Oakie** · 15th January 2009, 16:47

If the options in the poll were just 'Yes" or "No" I would have voted. Just an example of how to get the result you want by wording the poll question appropriately. Everyone does it though so I'm not picking a fight or anything.

I don't have a problem with people posting up a 'rider down' thread as long as it's done respectfully and they obey the rules. And yeah, I agree sentiments can be over-done a bit but if people are genuine about what they say and are not just dribbling insincere sentiment then who are we to say they shouldn't express their condolences.

**James Deuce** · 15th January 2009, 16:48

Originally Posted by mattian

I think its important to know how and why accidents happen to riders. If god forbid something should ever happen to me, I would have no problem with people discussing it in an internet forum for christs sake. COndololences and messages of support don't loose the sincerity of their meaning just because its said over the internet.

But people don't. The moment someone sucks a kumara there is a concerted effort from their "mates" to bury any and all discussion. Why? Because you;re not allowed to say anything bad about the dead.

The messages of "support" and "condolences" for people you don't know, were never likely to know, and probably would have had little in common with ARE meaningless. No one ever posts condolence messages up for dead "boy racers", "Chechen freedom fighters", or murdered children.

If you knew someone, eulogise them meaningfully so we get a clue about what they were like as people. If you didn't, don't say anything.

**trump-lady** · 15th January 2009, 16:50

Voted yes because, have close relatives riding all over New Zealand and would like a heads up, also it is a reminder to myself what can happen. If we all pretend it doesnt, we are as Ixon says putting our heads in the sand. For me its a reality check and brings me back down to earth which potentially means next time I ride it might have saved my life. You cant have a bike site that only post good things as biking is not always sunshine and fun times.

Im newish so perhaps that will fade but I dont understand if you dont like it dont read it.

I dont respond and do the "rip" thing as I find that bizare, it goes without saying.

I say keep it and if you dont like it retittle it as news flash, and then if you dont want to see the details, dont look.

I prefer to keep it real

**James Deuce** · 15th January 2009, 16:54

Post threads about KBers.

I don't care if a baby raping, P producing 1 percenter crashes into a tanker. That's not true. I hope the tanker driver isn't injured and his livelihood won't be affected. (Note the assumptions)

**Hiflyer** · 15th January 2009, 16:56

Originally Posted by James Deuce

But people don't. The moment someone sucks a kumara there is a concerted effort from their "mates" to bury any and all discussion. Why? Because you;re not allowed to say anything bad about the dead.

The messages of "support" and "condolences" for people you don't know, were never likely to know, and probably would have had little in common with ARE meaningless. No one ever posts condolence messages up for dead "boy racers", "Chechen freedom fighters", or murdered children.

If you knew someone, eulogise them meaningfully so we get a clue about what they were like as people. If you didn't, don't say anything.

well this isnt "kiwi-chechen freedom fighters.co.nz" or "kiwideadchildren.co.nz" is it?

**James Deuce** · 15th January 2009, 17:00

Originally Posted by Hiflyer

well this isnt "kiwi-chechen freedom fighters.co.nz" or "kiwideadchildren.co.nz" is it?

My point is, why do you care that "Barry" from Te Awamutu died on a bike? If you didn't know him, even through the distorting lens of an Internet forum, it is of no consequence to you. People who drive cars don't come over all weird when someone else who drives a car dies. They don't even notice. They sure as hell don't inundate the editor of a newspaper, the work intranet, or the squash club newsletter with messages of condolence for someone who never touched their life in any way.

**Hiflyer** · 15th January 2009, 17:04

well im not saying im going to be all cut up about it and KB would be a better place without the whole RIP thing but i wanna be informed

**Ixion** · 15th January 2009, 17:18

Originally Posted by Tank

BTW - Mods - If this gets a result strongly one way or the other - are you willing to discuss making it a rule?

edit: Or not - depending on the result (noting my own bias in original post)

Well for that I'd suggest the poll presentation would have to be less blatantly biased

**jrandom** · 15th January 2009, 17:27

Originally Posted by Ixion

Well for that I'd suggest the poll presentation would have to be less blatantly biased

I spend all day playing at being an engineer, so I come home and play at being a politician.

**slofox** · 15th January 2009, 17:59

Got mixed feelings about this one. When I hear that a death has occured, it makes me think about what I do out there myself, so that bit indicates "yes".
On the other hand, I agree with the RIP posts so far - they have always struck me as a little false - like it is the "proper" thing to do or something. So that bit is a "no".
And yes, the wording of the poll is a little transparent...