Life Goes On

‘Oh yeah, life goes on…long after the thrill of living is gone.’ ~ John Mellencamp

My friend Eve wrote a tribute for her late-friend, Ben Mok. Ben passed away last week, and many cyclists attended his farewell service. A one-minute silence, as a sign of respect, where fellow cyclist wore their cycling helmets was observed. The symbolic gesture and high-profile case was featured in the local news.

If what it takes to observe safe riding on the road, is the unfortunate death of a fallen cyclist then the price is too high. I believe that alternative forms of education could be initiated to teach and remind road users to engage a sense of mutual respect. We share the road – not just with motorists and cyclists who pay road tax. The road is a dangerous place, and we should not invite antagonistic behavior and hostility.

Passive reminders aside, this is a world fraught with a myriad of distractions and abundance of impatience. We need to take responsibility for our personal safety. Unless you are a cyclist, you may not empathise with one. It is so easy to blame, and pin a mistake on an adversary however it takes two hands to clap. It also takes only one hand to signal in advance, brake safely, give a friendly wave, and press the traffic light button. Sometimes we ride, other times we cross.

It is time the Tribe bands together to achieve its objectives. We can be a Force without showing force. We can Push and Pull. We can reinforce new behaviors and interventions. We need sneezers to spread the word far and wide. Life must go on – yet it must go on with eyes and ears wide open. Ignorance and selfish intentions do not pay. Go on, and live safely for all our sakes.