Quite apart from the personal issues, let's not forget that a lot of this is about real world vs. virtual world. A lot of people (and I haven't the faintest idea who they are, but the off-forum shenanigans must come from somewhere) seem to want a place like this to be 100% car-free. I suppose if this was specified somewhere (e.g. the 'Car-free London Fixed Gear Single-Speed Forum') then that might work, but the fact is that despite our love for bikes there is still an enormous amount of car use out there, many forum members have cars, willingly or not, and cars are clearly useful for a lot of purposes.
Now, don't get me wrong (and I know I've said most of this before), I've lived car-free all my life and I really don't like cars very much, but knowing a fair bit about how transportation works I can confidently affirm that change for the better concerning car over-use that is sustainable can only be slow and gradual--and boring and sensible. Reducing car use, I'm sure, is an objective that many or perhaps most, if not all, on here would agree with. The best thing we can do is be realistic about it.
Having tantrums about the presence of two threads about cars on here is just immoderate and counter-productive. What's the big deal? It is only if you learn to live with the current situation, but without accepting the status quo, and understand the reasons why people like and use them in preference to pedal cycles that you become capable of doing something positive about it beyond riding a bike yourself and perhaps influencing your family and friends.
Being 'anti-car' is a bit stupid and much too undifferentiated as an attitude. I don't personally like motorsport much, either, but I still prefer it if someone is into motorsport and rides a bike most of the time than if someone isn't much into motorsport but drives a car everywhere every day. And much of the car threads has just been dreaming about high-performance cars that few on here could ever afford--it's harmless fantasy, really. Many of the same people are also dreaming about high-performance pedal cycles and are actually getting them because they can afford them.
I know perfectly well that it can be an emotive issue, but if you want to do something about it, don't abuse people on an Internet forum but join a campaigning organisation like the LCC or the CTC and make a positive difference. You'll develop new skills, make new friends, understand how society works better, and do some good at the same time as reaping these personal benefits. Anger may be an energy, but it needs direction, and aiming it at other people is usually pretty directionless.
Quite apart from the personal issues, let's not forget that a lot of this is about real world vs. virtual world. A lot of people (and I haven't the faintest idea who they are, but the off-forum shenanigans must come from somewhere) seem to want a place like this to be 100% car-free. I suppose if this was specified somewhere (e.g. the 'Car-free London Fixed Gear Single-Speed Forum') then that might work, but the fact is that despite our love for bikes there is still an enormous amount of car use out there, many forum members have cars, willingly or not, and cars are clearly useful for a lot of purposes.
Now, don't get me wrong (and I know I've said most of this before), I've lived car-free all my life and I really don't like cars very much, but knowing a fair bit about how transportation works I can confidently affirm that change for the better concerning car over-use that is sustainable can only be slow and gradual--and boring and sensible. Reducing car use, I'm sure, is an objective that many or perhaps most, if not all, on here would agree with. The best thing we can do is be realistic about it.
Having tantrums about the presence of two threads about cars on here is just immoderate and counter-productive. What's the big deal? It is only if you learn to live with the current situation, but without accepting the status quo, and understand the reasons why people like and use them in preference to pedal cycles that you become capable of doing something positive about it beyond riding a bike yourself and perhaps influencing your family and friends.
Being 'anti-car' is a bit stupid and much too undifferentiated as an attitude. I don't personally like motorsport much, either, but I still prefer it if someone is into motorsport and rides a bike most of the time than if someone isn't much into motorsport but drives a car everywhere every day. And much of the car threads has just been dreaming about high-performance cars that few on here could ever afford--it's harmless fantasy, really. Many of the same people are also dreaming about high-performance pedal cycles and are actually getting them because they can afford them.
I know perfectly well that it can be an emotive issue, but if you want to do something about it, don't abuse people on an Internet forum but join a campaigning organisation like the LCC or the CTC and make a positive difference. You'll develop new skills, make new friends, understand how society works better, and do some good at the same time as reaping these personal benefits. Anger may be an energy, but it needs direction, and aiming it at other people is usually pretty directionless.