[Closed] I'm thinking this "humour" has crossed a line..

Am I being oversensitive or are these really just a handy way of identifying complete dickheads at the wheel?

No and yes.

No and yes.

+1

When some idiot nearly mowed me down on a left hook once, on reporting the footage to the police I also pointed out that the bumper sticker "I'm not drunk I always drive like this" (or something along those lines, I forget exactly) was pretty solid proof that the driver knows exactly how badly they drive and does it anyway, or deliberately.

I suppose if you did come across a car with that sticker, at least you have an external indicator of the drivers mindset, at least you're better able to take avoiding action.

Christ knows how you handle someone who proudly displays the pram version or better yet...

Am I being oversensitive

I'm going to say yes, free speech and all that bollocks, if someone wants to tell the world that they're an objectionable arse, who are you to stand in their way?

Plus you know they never really have/would drive into a cyclist, they'd scratch their Nans fiesta...

The police round here are stopping cars with such stickers on and offering words of advice according to their Twitter account.

The police round here are stopping cars with such stickers on and offering words of advice according to their Twitter account.

*Applause*
Where's that? Not GMP I bet 😉

It's telling that someone dumb enough to design this decal also doesn't understand how counting works.

What Police force is that @rockhopper?

It'll be Derbyshire but I can't find the original tweet now - its possible they re-tweeted some other forces tweet - I'll keep hunting.

I suppose if you did come across a car with that sticker, at least you have an external indicator of the drivers mindset, at least you’re better able to take avoiding action.

Unfortunately you’d not normally see the bumper sticker at all/not see the bumper-sticker until after the event delete as applicable.

If seen while parked then you may or may not be tempted to deface said sticker in the interest of public safety.

It’s telling that someone dumb enough to design this decal also doesn’t understand how counting works.

I hadn't spotted this, it made me chuckle far more than it should have done

Perhaps they count in base 12 (or 6).

There is an Openreach van based near me that has the cyclist and old person stickers on it. I keep resisting the temptation to send photos to the ceo of openreach - I haven't as I guess the engineer in question will have a decent chance of getting fired for a stupid sticker. Does wind me up everytime I walk past it.

Exhibit A - at least they got the tally system correct on this one.

Aren’t we about 40 years late to be upset about this?

Exhibit A – at least they got the tally system correct on this one.

Private vehicle, it's a bit distasteful but I'm not going to get too upset about someone having a wind up....but

How stupid do you have to be to put those on your employer's van ?!?!?

Looks like an extension of the kill tally idea on warplanes, been around for at least a decade. You can get wheelchair ones too.

Deathrace 2000

Deathrace 2000

Was my thought too.

Aren’t we about 40 years late to be upset about this?

That was my first thought. In fact these people have only used stuffed cyclists and any complaints of cruelty should be directed at whoever it is that's been going around stuffing them 😀

@Ewan **** ‘em. If they’re stupid enough to put a sticker like that on a works van, they at least deserve the ensuing bollocking.

I reckon these stickers are exactly the sort of thing someone will enjoy trying to explain away in court following a collision.

I might get some little door mirror stickers to place along my toptube!😀

Deathrace 2000

When I was a student someone suggested we watch that. Time I’ll never get back, but at least they paid for the video hire.

Openreach will respond if you complain about their drivers.

I seem to recall the Cwmcarn uplift van had similar on the side of it, from collecting various walkers and riders who’d stepped out without looking after the van had gone past and got clattered by the trailer.

cool, just does the CPS job for them if they end up in an RTA

Is it true that with your new artificial arm, you can change gear in a 20th of a second?

Perhaps they count in base 12 (or 6).

5 fingers and a thumb, on each hand, maybe...?

You can get wheelchair ones too.

Can you get a Star of David for North London deliveries as well? Freedom of speech and all that. Anyone who has known someone or been serious injured, can’t fail to take offence.

Openreach will respond if you complain about their drivers.

Best sent as a query rather than a complaint.

As in 'Does OpenReach now condone the killing and injuring of.....?'

Ive seen that bike one on the side of a builders van. I decided it referred to how many bikes he owned.

I'd say it has...who marks a score with 5 then crosses through? You mark 4 then score through as the 5th then start again...unacceptable in my book - how can you trust the score if they aren't marking it properly...

Got the reg of that Open Reach van?

That Openreach one has to be escalated for sure!

Just shown the openreach one to Mrs SturdyLad, she an operations manager for a national company (not openreach!) and her view... Very serious disciplinary and potential sackable offence.

I'd have to agree, extremely poor taste.

I’d say it has…who marks a score with 5 then crosses through?

Someone with six fingers.

Seems like a good way to get your vehicle vandalised by those who find it offensive TBH.

Someone with six fingers.

It is quite funny.

Until you see the one that represents yourself.

If anyone has a photo of the open reach can that includes the number plate please report it. Or send it to me and I will gladly do so.

That Openreach one has to be escalated for sure!

+1

Way back in the mists of time when the fast police cars were Volvo t5s a young officer got a proper hats on meeting without biscuits because he'd added a small "no fear" eyes sticker above the t5 badge on the back of the car.

woah woah woah.... getting someone sacked for what is a bit of a joke, well that's a bit harsh isn't it ? Sure it's in poor taste, but come on.... seriously.

woah woah woah…. getting someone sacked for what is a bit of a joke, well that’s a bit harsh isn’t it ? Sure it’s in poor taste, but come on…. seriously.

Happens in many workplaces.

Jokes about racial and gender minorities used to be acceptable, but aren't now as attitudes and behaviours have changed. I'd quite like to see a similar change in attitudes and behaviour about running over cyclists, old people, prams...

woah woah woah…. getting someone sacked for what is a bit of a joke, well that’s a bit harsh isn’t it ? Sure it’s in poor taste, but come on…. seriously.

If you're not prepared to face the consequences of putting stickers on your works van, don't put stickers on your works van. *shrugs*

I’d quite like to see a similar change in attitudes and behaviour about running over cyclists, old people, prams

I don't believe he's actually going out ploughing into people though....

I don’t believe he’s actually going out ploughing into people though….

I’m sure he isn’t, but I’m also sure that he won’t enjoy explaining the sticker in court if he does.

And this is why people get pissed off with us.

It's already been offered to have a quiet word with the guy so why not leave it at that? Yes it's in bad taste but going after the guy and trying to get him sacked helps nobody and does nothing except harbour resentment. Way to go.

Some of you need to have a word with yourselves.

It’s already been offered to have a quiet word with the guy so why not leave it at that?

Is exactly the correct approach.

And this is why people get pissed off with us.

It’s already been offered to have a quiet word with the guy so why not leave it at that? Yes it’s in bad taste but going after the guy and trying to get him sacked helps nobody and does nothing except harbour resentment. Way to go.

Some of you need to have a word with yourselves.

No-one's suggested doing otherwise since the offer to have a word came in, have they?

getting someone sacked for what is a bit of a joke, well that’s a bit harsh isn’t it ? Sure it’s in poor taste, but come on…. seriously.

If he’s that stupid to think putting that sticker on his car is a good idea, then I doubt I’d want him to turn up and try to fix my internet tbh…

If you’re not prepared to face the consequences of putting stickers on your works van, don’t put stickers on your works van. *shrugs*

Also this..

He's not gonna get sacked anyway, they'll just tell him to stop being a **** and take the stickers off. Then an email will go round to all other van drivers telling them not to be ****s and don't put stickers on works vans.

woah woah woah…. getting someone sacked for what is a bit of a joke, well that’s a bit harsh isn’t it ? Sure it’s in poor taste, but come on…. seriously.

I drive a large fast heavy machine on the roads next to many squishy people.
Hundreds of said squishy people get killed or injured on these roads every year.
Drivers of my particular type of large fast heavy machine have a reputation of aggressive and dangerous driving, especially towards said squishy people on bikes.

I think I'll display to everyone that I dislike squishy people, celebrate them being killed and wish I killed them myself.

Hilarious 🙄
Just the right kind of person to be trusted with a large fast heavy machine in public.

I think I’ll display to everyone that I dislike squishy people, celebrate them being killed and wish I killed them myself.

Other points of view are available.

If he’s that stupid to think putting that sticker on his car is a good idea, then I doubt I’d want him to turn up and try to fix my internet tbh…

Not sure what his competence at his job has to do with this. I know intelligent folk who are unbelievably useless and some thick mofos who are great at their jobs.

He’s not gonna get sacked anyway, they’ll just tell him to stop being a * and take the stickers off. Then an email will go round to all other van drivers telling them not to be * and don’t put stickers on works vans.

Is that the official company line or did you make that up?

Man driving van thinks it is appropriate to display his negative attitude towards other people who choose a different form of transport. Said negative attitude is illustrated with a sticker applied to the outside of his vehicle. Sticker is similar to those used by service personnel to display 'kills' and illustrative of the results of criminal activty. Van is often the largest and thus most dangerous vehicle in interactions.

If you want see similar attitudes persist - do nothing. Negative action starts with negative intention from a negative attitude/set of beliefs. Don't be a bystander - that's how all kinds of prejudice has flourished.

Will getting him sacked change his attitude then ? Will he then think "ok, i'll be nicer to cyclists" ?

Or is he arguably more likely to get even more angry ?

Will getting him sacked change his attitude then ? Will he then think “ok, i’ll be nicer to cyclists” ?

Or is he arguably more likely to get even more angry ?

Well obviously (or ideally) it should come with some form of education. Anyway what kind of argument is that? Should we never punish anyone for anything because it'll just make them angry?
It isn't cyclists who'll get him sacked it's his own attitude and behaviour.

Granted it's more important to change that behaviour than to punish, which is why as pondo pointed out no one has actually called for sacking since the quiet word was suggested. Hopefully that will work.

@spooky_b329 please let us know the outcome 🙂

And this is why people get pissed off with us.

It’s already been offered to have a quiet word with the guy so why not leave it at that? Yes it’s in bad taste but going after the guy and trying to get him sacked helps nobody and does nothing except harbour resentment. Way to go.

Some of you need to have a word with yourselves.

That's awesome how you've somehow managed to turn this around so that this ****wit is now the victim, and the people who object to jokes about being killed are somehow the aggressor.

Way to go.

Is that the official company line or did you make that up?

🙄

A plastic covered note on his windscreen reading -

Lose the 'knocked down' stickers on your van door, or find out how offensive they are the hard way.

The hard way is a report to your bosses and Openreach head office asking if they condone these type of stickers on their works vans, accompanied with a picture of your van, including the numberplate. Which will probably result in a meeting between you and your bosses, lots of frowning and incredulous looks, many choice words, and no tea and biscuits*

I don't expect to see them there tomorrow.

Thank you .

See how that goes, passive/aggressive and no need for a confrontation.

*Great line @Onehundredthidiot 😆 very apt and conveys the right terminology.

Will getting him sacked change his attitude then ? Will he then think “ok, i’ll be nicer to cyclists” ?

Or is he arguably more likely to get even more angry ?

Shall we stop jailing burglars in case it makes them angry and want to do it again?

(Actually, a pretty poor example)

If it's his first offence, it will be a warning and a reminder to all staff not to do it.

Think of it as enforcing Rule#1. If we enforced it more often, a lot of other bollocks might be avoided.

I think a very boring and long cycling awareness course with no tea or coffee and not in paid work hours is the answer to dickheads like this in the first place. No second chances for any anti cyclist behaviour either.

jesus wept, what an utter bunch of professionally offended bedwetters, yes it a bit #### but #### me sideways you lot are daft.

What an erudite response.

That’s awesome how you’ve somehow managed to turn this around so that this **** is now the victim, and the people who object to jokes about being killed are somehow the aggressor.

Way to go.

I refer you to Weeksy's comment. I'm not saying the perpetrator is a victim at all but it's better to educate than punish.

Will getting him sacked change his attitude then ? Will he then think “ok, i’ll be nicer to cyclists” ?

Or is he arguably more likely to get even more angry ?

@ads678 it was a genuine question, optimistically worded to provoke thought. Unless you work for Openreach then your comment was nothing but mindless speculation and, if I'm honest, more than a little naive. That's the sort of thing that could see someone getting a serious disciplinary where a quiet word would be more appropriate.

You are never going to change anyone's attitude by going in all guns blazing.

And on that, I've said my piece, I'm out.

well any sticker on vehicle is a bit crap, be it a god bothery one, a darwin fish, things powered by fairy dust, or some sports club toot. to choose some daft anti bike thing to get worked up about is just plain silly, want to get angry about something, at least pick a topic that actually makes a difference, or take direct action, you know like kicking the hell out of c18 and the bnp, being a hunt sab, freeing animals, feeding the starving, promote postive cycling locally, but some whineycockbag response about some cack humour and going after the persons work.... mental

promote postive cycling locally,

I thought we were, by making idiots realise joking about hitting cyclists wasn't acceptable, which might encourage more people to try, you know, cycling locally or something.

@sqirrelking

@ads678 it was a genuine question, optimistically worded to provoke thought. Unless you work for Openreach then your comment was nothing but mindless speculation and, if I’m honest, more than a little naive. That’s the sort of thing that could see someone getting a serious disciplinary where a quiet word would be more appropriate.

TBF My speculation is just as informed as anyone who has said the guy will get sacked if it was reported.

In normal conversation people don't always says "in my opinion" to clarify things, but as this is the internet words are meaningless without evidence. Apologies for the emoji response, I just get a bit bored of the constant, "have you got evidence to back that up" responses on here. Sometimes people are just talking.

I would be shocked if he got sacked on the spot for putting a sticker on his van. IMHO, but i'm not the only one with that opinion. See MCTD's post above.

Shop him tweet it etc, why not? Might raise awareness. Any action taken by his employer is another matter

Will getting him sacked change his attitude then ? Will he then think “ok, i’ll be nicer to cyclists” ?

Or is he arguably more likely to get even more angry ?

Getting sacked for something like this is nothing to do with cyclists. You work for a company who spend god knows how long and how much building up a reputation (OK Openreach probably aren’t the best example). You buy new vans an spend more on branding them to spread your reputation, and one of your employees adds a sticker to the van they use which effectively says ‘Are a bunch of ****ers’. That’s a sackable offence.

then I doubt I’d want him to turn up and try to fix my internet tbh…

I’d be more than a little unhappy if he turned up to fix my internet and I saw those stickers on the side of his van, and I’m not generally a bed wetter. However, experience has shown that it’s of little use being ‘diplomatic’ in similar situations, if he hates cyclists then there’s no way I’m going to convince him otherwise. I’d escalate it to his/her superiors and let them deal with it as they see fit (after the internet was fixed, obvs).

Good lord this place really has become sad and pathetic. You'll be complaining about your neighbours not putting their wheelie bins away next week. 😀

The solution has been presented, but no....not good enough.... you're on about changing someones 'attitude'!! 😀

I'm sure he doesn't 'hate' cyclists. Get a bloody grip will you. The sticker is clearly a joke (albeit not a very funny one).

Quick lets all take to Twitter and get someone sacked because i'm outraged about a sticker on a van!!

I bet the Daily Mash get most of their material from here...except they're funny.

The BT driver also has mobility scooters and old people with walking sticks on it. It's clearly a joke and the "intention" is a bit of light hearted fun. Or do we think they are in opposition to the elderly and infirm as well?

The BT driver also has mobility scooters and old people with walking sticks on it. It’s clearly a joke and the “intention” is a bit of light hearted fun. Or do we think they are in opposition to the elderly and infirm as well?

Serial killer with a points system.....?

The BT driver also has mobility scooters and old people with walking sticks on it. It’s clearly a joke and the “intention” is a bit of light hearted fun. Or do we think they are in opposition to the elderly and infirm as well?

We get that it's intended as a joke, and yes I doubt he really wants to kill anyone.
Incredibly stupid to stick it on your company van though, and it does show his attitude towards those groups. At the end of the day it's making a statement.

If he leant out his window and said to you "I ran over 6 cyclists today, you're next!" while next to you in traffic I'm sure you wouldn't think "light hearted fun".

Somehow I think he might see it in a different light if he cycled regularly or was disabled.

Not sure what his competence at his job has to do with this. I know intelligent folk who are unbelievably useless and some thick mofos who are great at their jobs.

Part of his job is being a professional driver.

I stand by sending the image in to head office. If some idiot was driving around our works with a similar tally on a fork lift truck I'd want to know about it.

To all those that say those suggesting shopping him to his employer are ‘bedwetters’ and over reacting, surely if that’s the case his company will just (at worst) tell him to remove the stickers and that’ll be the end of it

If he ends up getting sacked it won’t be the professional bedwetters on here who sack him, it’ll be his impartial HR team who will be the ones who decide how offensive it is

I personally think he’s a dick but I’m not going to grass him up to his company for that. If someone feels stronger about it than me and he does end up getting the sack however, fxxx him, he shouldn’t have been so stupid should he

The van next to it has an arguably worse mod.. blacking out the things that let you see other stuff in the dark and others see you.. clever

got a proper hats on meeting without biscuits

This was the funniest thing I've heard all day. I assume the young officer was also wearning brown trousers for the occasion.

I wonder if those "kill" stickers have turban or hijab options? Thought not.

I run a relatively small company with several branded vehicles. We rely on the good will of our customers to keep using us, and help generate new revenue streams. If anyone did this to one of our vans (especially when they know their boss is a keen biker), I'd be seriously looking for an opportunity to get shot of them, because they'd be a reputational liability.

@lamp

I’m sure he doesn’t ‘hate’ cyclists.

What are you basing that on?

Oh hang on, my sheets are wet again...

What are you basing that on?

I’m fairness he’s also got children in prams on there so I don’t think we cyclists can take it too personally

It’s still a pig ignorant thing to put on a van however.