Setting good example

While I was driving and approaching a major traffic junction, saw an uncle cycling and likely to cross the road using the zebra-crossing. Based on past experience, I was quite sure he would cycle across. I slowed down in case he "decided" to rush across it. However, the uncle stopped cycling, alighted and pushed his bicycle while using the zebra-crossing. I was surprised. He was doing the right thing and setting a good example of safe cycling while on the move. Yet, it was rarely observed most of the time.

I am not sure if you realize it, we live in an environment showing more negative rather than positive examples. One good and typical example is the use of traffic light. Pedestrians of all ages seem to "enjoy" crossing a road whenever there is no traffic even though it is still displaying the stop red-man-light sign. Cyclists too.

Maybe the persons have an urgent matter to attend to, maybe it is going to rain. maybe the bus is approaching, maybe just dun want to appear stupid waiting for it especially when there is no sign of cars, maybe impatient, maybe .....maybe life is just too long to live on ?

I am more worried about the messaging to the young ones. While we are trying to educate them the proper behavior in school and at home, we are setting wrong example when it comes to practical. The worst of it is that there are many more examples besides using of traffic light such as smoking, talking loudly when using a mobile phone, cut queue, not showing the basic respect, telling lairs, rude etc.

Educating and bringing up the young ones is like doing a cha cha, three steps forward follows by two steps backward. A wrong twist could cause much unhappiness and pain.