Facebook I hate cyclists group infiltrated!

brings up an interesting point this

are we actually the same people IRL as our online presence? We all say dickish things, but surely it's ok to say dickish things, and actually upset people still? I mean, it's ludicrous right - we live in disturbing times, where people are arrested for making jokes online about things that other people think they shouldn't

I think each thing should be taken individually on its own merits. If this were a fifteen year old who doesn't drive ranting from the back bedroom of his mum's house, I couldn't really care.

Do I want to share the roads with an HGV driver who hates cyclists so much he started a potentially world wide hate campaign against them?

Probably not. He may not be running cyclists down but he's in a position where his threats should be taken seriously. How far might his nuisance behavior go?

The most that the company or their legal representation can do at this point is to make a written request for him to update his facebook status in relation to who his employer is.

However, should he, or any other professional driver making similar statements on the internet be involved in a collision with a cyclist, this sort of thing could be introduced in a court hearing. It would likely be instantly dismissed by the defence, but would likely damage their character in court and reduce their chances of a successful acquital.

I agree with Tilbury

Really, because I've been to Tilbury and it was shit.

euph?

Just been to Tilbury myself, traumatic, knew I shouldn't have had the chilli beef last night

Me too, in fact I think I've got a Thurrock coming on...

Does anyone really believe he mows down cyclists because they don't have insurance?

How far would you punish a man for a silly remark in on the internet?

I get that opinions are like arseholes and everybody has one. I just take issue when it's the arsholes giving opinions. Threads like these are the reason I nuked my FB.

Genuine question: How would you feel if this character accidentally 'brushed' or hit you with his motor?

I've never understood why occasionally out riding and there's a tiny non-issue why some people absolutely lose it. Are they the types that start these groups? Do these groups affect some of the weaker minded into teaching us a lesson with dangerous close passes? Or is it (as I pray) just bluster?

I get what Mrak says about this being no different to what most newspapers print but surely that is a reason to at least question it. We know the public hate us, we know the police have little to zero sympathy or understanding, we know the Mayor/TfL don't care, we know the judiciary regard our lives as cheap (when we're dead or injured on one of those stupid contraptions). So where is the line drawn?

I get that opinions are like arseholes and everybody has one. I just take issue when it's the arsholes giving opinions. T

Repped'

this is the shit side of the forum, when righteous arseholes like dancing james push things way too far and try and incite some bullshit mob justice. You lot should wind your necks in and stop acting like petulant little children. He said nomething naughty about cyclists on facebook, so you want to ruin his life for him. I bet all of you have said crap before that you may not have meant literally, was over zealous, over reactionary or was all talk but you would never have actually acted on it.

Pathetic

Given tweets drivers have made after they have been involved in accidents I think it is entirely worthwhile taking preemptive action in cases like these.

Imagine if someone got in touch with dancing James's employer and told them that he is regularly an argumentative cunt on a cycling forum and maybe they should consider firing him for it.

That would be awful let's hope they don't find out about DJ
Is this thread private?

Given tweets drivers have made after they have been involved in accidents I think it is entirely worthwhile taking preemptive action in cases like these.

unfortunately I can't nerg you again for being such a wanker. Apparently you havent learnt from all the shit you caused when you did all that tagging bollocks etc a while back. What a shame you werent just perma banned then

I've removed a post by Dancing James that reveals the employer and contact details for the person behind the Facebook group.

It really isn't what this forum should be about.

I've no idea what the content in question (on Facebook) says, and whether or not there is good reason to hound someone or not. Without knowing that stuff the default position is that anyone is free to express their opinion without fear of being punished for it.

When we're at the point that we seek to harass someone via their workplace, to risk their livelihood, and to carry out a collective campaign of harassment to that end... then seriously we need to stop and ask whether this is the world we want.

As far as I know, no law has been broken and the Facebook group represents an expression of opinion only. People are allowed to hold whatever opinions they wish, and shouldn't fear persecution or reprisal from others because of them.

There are a hell of a lot of people in this community that might want to reflect on their own lives and the fragility of their position before they engage in throwing stones at others.

Regardless of whether the opinions on the Facebook group are abhorrent to cyclists the fundamental right to express any opinion safely should be preserved and protected.

On DJ's behaviour in posting that, and far more specifically... DJ you've been reported several times very recently for bullying and trolling including things you've been banned for and warned about before. I've ignored those as isolated incidents that I hope can be explained away as exceptions rather than the rule, as over-sensitivity by others. If you're in a dark place and this is going to become a habit again, then none of it will be ignored. I'm waiting to see which it is and currently giving benefit of doubt. Don't fuck it up.

Given tweets drivers have made after they have been involved in accidents I think it is entirely worthwhile taking preemptive action in cases like these.

DJ - I often quite like your posts but this was crossing a line. If people worked through your posts on various interet forums I am sure there would be some very annoyed people wanting to email you & your employers too.

It is internet, free speach & opinions are allowed even if not agreed with.

As yet we've not ended up in Minority Report so I think preemtive action is premature

There is a massive difference between a bit of banter and arguing, and racism, homophobia or (as in this case) inciting hatred and threatening a vulnerable group. Utterly different.

Cyclists are the new blacks and gays!

Mrak, you're such a cyclist!

He does have a beard, now that you mention it

Reported for cyclism.

Mrak and his people know all about persecution.

The Poutine purge of '08?

If the allegations in post 50 are true... why aren't you all going to the police and Facebook?

I reported the group to fb. Their answer after checking it out:

This group itself doesn't breach the rules but if some of the posts are, they'll have to be reported seperately.

It is clearly not the same thing, but to some extent you are right. People are naturally tribal and I think that the brilliant way in which racism and sexism and homophobia have become so much less acceptable has left many needing some other way to feel part of a group.

Music used to be one such way for the young, but music tribes have disappeared too. Football is a good outlet. Anti-cycling groups is not a good outlet, it is bullying and pathetic and is directly in opposition to rationally making the world a better place by virtue of improving health and reducing congestion and pollution.

Consuela says "No" for about 30 seconds - YouTube