Thread: Cyclist aware drivers... are you one?

Originally Posted by Chad

Mate i will be honest i do envy alot of things, but.....

Following a GUY looking at his Bum in tights isn't one of them...

But on a serious NOTE....

I'll pay that.

Why do you believe that a NON PAYING, NON INSURED VEHICLE, be allowed on OUR public ROADS??

What part of that, cannot you understand is the Problem..

Because it's legal, and always has been.

Horses are legal to be ridden on the road too, we often do that in these parts and I haven't noticed a rego plate hanging off any of them, oh, that's right, they don't need to be either.

If you are so LAW abiding, ALL about EXERCISE and it is YOUR right to be on the road....why NOT CONTRIBUTE to the upkeep, keep yourself insured, and follow Common sense and RESPECT....

I do, all our vehicles, trailers and floats are registered and fully insured.
Why on earth would I register my treadlies when no rego is required ?

Your arguments sound so much like Mr Scruby arguing why 4WD's should be banned from the city, which personally wouldn't affect me in the slightest as the closest city is something like 2.5 hours away from here but i believe we all have the right to own a 4WD regardless of where you live as it's they are a legal conveyance, and mostly 4Wder's are pretty decent people.
Cycling is much the same, most of those I've met over the years are good people and follow the rules, but i've never lived and commuted in a city either.

Well this has become a sort of religious debate, hasn't it. God exists, no he doesn't, yes he does, doesn't, does, doesn't. It's probably time to agree to disagree guys 'cos the two sides will never come together (here that is); maybe they will on the road and if they do it usually ends one way, despite the "right" to put oneself in danger.
ps reminds me - did ya hear about the dyslexic agnostic. He couldn't make up his mind if dog really existed - b-boom
pps interesting comment earlier - comparing cyclists to sheep and cattle

Originally Posted by brizmatt

If cyclists do the wrong thing, they get hurt, not the other drivers. Whether people like it or not, it is the way of the future.

So many years ago when I was stepping out of a Postie Van onto the footpath and a cyclist cut off of the road, onto the path to avoid the lights at the intersection, collected me and broke 2 ribs and punctured my lung. Does this mean cyclist do not inflict injury! (Not to mention everyone's mail scattered all over the pavement).

The driver of the truck that killed a cyclist who was hanging onto the rear tray and went under the wheels does not suffer depression and anxiety issues after such an incident? I personally was involved in a incident with a pedestrian who was critically injured as a result of his foolish actions and the driver had to live with the consequences. Luckily I was a witness in the defence of the driver who otherwise would have been held responsible by default.

The cyclist who deliberately cut in front of a bus in an act of road rage causing the driver to hit the brakes sending dozens of passengers flying did not cause any injury? (This is a very common incident which I often find myself investigating)

I have dozens more examples where cyclists have caused injury but I am not trying to demean cyclists with my posts. I am just looking for cyclists to acknowledge that they need to be responsible for their actions which some posts are starting to acknowledge but too many here are just trying to defend actions of one side or the other. I loathe to go down the rego/insurance angle for push bikes but tell me how do we hold cyclists responsible for their actions? (Please cyclists tell me how?)

I was never able to identify the cyclist who punctured my lung as he did not have to provide proof of identity to the police who attended (whilst I was being carted away in an ambulance).

I have not in any of my posts re this subject requested of cyclist to do anything other than:
Obey the law
Be responsible
Use common sense
Is this too much to ask?
For most of the cyclists I encounter it is asking to much! (just as asking all motorists to do the same)
Now will the pro cycling members stop trying to justify your actions and just realise the status quo is already weighted in favour of the cyclist at the expense of the motorist, be grateful for what privileges you do have. Yes cycling will be with us for a long time to come and cycling needs to be incorporated into the often lacking transport systems we have but cyclists must also be mindful of other road (and path) users.

Originally Posted by Thommo

I loathe to go down the rego/insurance angle for push bikes but tell me how do we hold cyclists responsible for their actions? (Please cyclists tell me how?)

I was never able to identify the cyclist who punctured my lung as he did not have to provide proof of identity to the police who attended (whilst I was being carted away in an ambulance).

Cyclists are responsible for their actions under the law in every State and Territory in Australia. This liability may be both civil and criminal.

It is easy for a cyclist to obtain insurance - for example, you get it automatically when you join Bicycle Queensland.

If the police attend an accident they can require any cyclist involved to provide proof of identity. Depending upon the circumstances, failure to do so may be an offence and the cyclist may be arrested, or held until the cyclist's identity is ascertained.

These are not difficult questions and all have simple answers. There is no reason for hysteria.

For a slight change of pace, if you want to see just what is possible on a fancy carbon road bike while wearing lycra, check this out:

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5z1fSpZNXhU"]YouTube- Amazing stunt riding...on a carbon road bike[/nomedia]

Make sure you watch for the backflip at the end.

I could of done that in a skirt...

Originally Posted by Chad

Why do you believe that a NON PAYING, NON INSURED VEHICLE, be allowed on OUR public ROADS??

What part of that, cannot you understand is the Problem..

I don't understand where you state...

Originally Posted by Chad

OUR public ROADS??

... and seek to exclude some public from them.

Can we just go riding now????