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

Originally Posted by Chucaro

Australia is the number 4 most expensive country in the world and if they keep introducing more regulations and fees we soon will be number 1 !!
Some times I cannot understand how pensioners and families with low incomes can live in NSW and Victoria
I just wonder when they will start charging admission to go to the beach.
It will be impossible for me to live there!

I'm sure the various state and federal governments are devising ways to tax the air we breathe and charge us for the privileged of leaving our own front door.......

........In collisions involving a bicycle and another vehicle, the most common key contributory factor recorded by the police is 'failed to look properly' by either the driver or rider, especially at junctions. 'Failed to look properly' was attributed to the car driver in 57% of serious collisions and to the cyclist in 43% of serious collisions at junctions.

Other common contributory factors attributed to drivers are 'poor turn/manoeuvre' (in 17% of serious accidents involving a cyclist) and 'careless, reckless, in a hurry (17%). Cyclists are more likely to suffer serious injuries when a driver is judged to be 'impaired by alcohol', exceeding the speed limit' or 'travelling too fast for the conditions'.

The second most common contributory factor attributed to cyclists was 'cyclist entering the road from the pavement' (including when a cyclist crosses the road at a pedestrian crossing), which was recorded in about 20% serious collisions (and over one third of serious collisions involving child cyclists).

The most common vehicle involved in collisions with cyclists is a car or taxi, with the rider usually being hit by the front of the vehicle. In a quarter of fatal cyclist accidents, the front of the vehicle hit the rear of the bicycle.

However, heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) present a particular danger for cyclists, especially in cities where around 20% of cyclist fatalities occur involve an HGV. These often occur when an HGV is turning left at a junction'. About one quarter of accidents resulting in serious injury to a cyclist involved an HGV, bus or coach 'passing too close' to the rider.......


It never ceases to amaze me that "truckies" will not indicate when passing a cyclist, is this because they are always holding a phone to their ear ?? I've lost count the number of times I've been following a truck who suddenly swerves to pass a cyclist The size of the truck also blocks out the cyclist to the motorists behind on many occasions which can also cause problems.

I was taught "mirror, signal, manoeuvre" surely it's not rocket science to think ahead and read the road, in front and behind.

Originally Posted by jerryd

I was taught "mirror, signal, manoeuvre" surely it's not rocket science to think ahead and read the road, in front and behind.

I observed a 4WD last night turn into a side street. Slow, turn, brake, signal. I doubt he used the mirrors.

I sat in with a friend that was learning to drive, she had some lessons as well, she actually drove really well (mature adult)

However one thing I constantly tried to drum in to her was to check her left mirror in left turns

In the end I used to sit there and watch her and say I think you just killed/injured another cyclist each time she fidnt chrck her mirror before the turn, eventually she did get it but Jesus it was hard

Originally Posted by jerryd

........In collisions involving a bicycle and another vehicle, the most common key contributory factor recorded by the police is 'failed to look properly' by either the driver or

However, heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) present a particular danger for cyclists, especially in cities where around 20% of cyclist fatalities occur involve an HGV. These often occur when an HGV is turning left at a junction'. About one quarter of accidents resulting in serious injury to a cyclist involved an HGV, bus or coach 'passing too close' to the rider.......


It never ceases to amaze me that "truckies" will not indicate when passing a cyclist, is this because they are always holding a phone to their ear ?? I've lost count the number of times I've been following a truck who suddenly swerves to pass a cyclist The size of the truck also blocks out the cyclist to the motorists behind on many occasions which can also cause problems.

I was taught "mirror, signal, manoeuvre" surely it's not rocket science to think ahead and read the road, in front and behind.

It's also not rocket science to invest $10 in a mirror if you're on a bike. I've lost count of the number of times cyclists (remember I am one) are "SURPRISED" by a vehicle approaching from behind.
When I was a kid in the 70's, all bikes came with chunky rectangular mirrors.
When I learnt to drive I was taught to regularly scan the mirrors with my eyes, not turning my head, you need to be aware of what's happening all around, seems some cyclists use 'the force' to manage what's behind them and take evasive action, unfortunately this is more unreliable than Luke portrayed..

As for positioning yourself on the inside of a truck or bus turning, the operator may not see you in a mirror that is vibrating, as a bike without a flag is very narrow and may be in line with a stobie pole or tree or the clothes worn by the cyclist aren't hi-vis etc. there are a lot of reasons why bikes aren't always easily visible.

Hence cyclists (remember I am one) need to take some responsibility themselves, you can't be "Aware" of what is around you and aware of approaching danger without a mirror (or two). So if you are a cyclist who relies on "others" being responsible for your safety, then you are by definition "IRRESPONSIBLE". Don't place yourself on the inside of a heavy vehicle, how will you know if this could happen? Get a mirror, geez...how obvious is it?

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Now if you think that weight and aerodynamics will be consequently affected by a mirror or 2, and that this is an overriding concern in your desire to remain injury free and alive, then you are obsessive-compulsive or narcissistic and should not be on the road as you are either too good for us mere mortals or deluded in your ambition to win the Tour de France.

A vehicle without mirrors is defective, a bike on the road should be no different.

May the force be with you

I've been reticent to enter this thread as, when I commented on the subject on another forum, my comments were, shall we say, misconstrued by some of the cycling members. What I was trying to state was that, near where I live, there is a road that goes from Samford to Mt Glorious which is very steep & windy with sharp bends. This road is officially rated as "Unsuitable for caravans & trailer boats" but is still used regularly by cyclists. I frequently use this road & am yet to come across a cyclist who can maintain anything faster than walking pace up it or one who can ride in a straight line without zig zagging all over the narrow road. The new rules in Qld state that you may cross a double line to pass a cyclist "if safe to do so". Well on this road it's not & I would say a good cyclist would take some time to cover the 8 ks or so i.e. 16 kph = 1/2 hour which I can state that no cyclist, whatever drugs they're on, could do on this ascent. (They're not commuters either as there's nowhere really to commute to on this road.) A very experienced cyclist friend of mine who does long distance rides & trains very regularly will not use this road nor the Dayboro-Mt Mee road as he classifies them as too dangerous for cycles. He has also stated that one of his flaws is that when he is seriously "Head down, Bum up" that he does lose some awareness of his surroundings as his mind set is on performance & I don't reckon he'd be Robinson Crusoe there. So,Yes, I am a cycle aware driver because of my mates comments & also being forced to be basically by, shall we say, unthinking or perhaps unrealistic cyclists.
Maybe the powers that be could rate cycle friendly roads. Another thought is, why don't cyclists hire somewhere like Lakeside motor racing circuit for racing events as that may even get some spectators in? Just a thought.
Steve

Black and sexy...

http://www.velogear.com.au/media/cat...pin_mirror.jpg


Goes wherever your helmet and you do...

http://www.velogear.com.au/media/cat...met_mirror.jpg


When you want to be seen... (Not for ninjas or those that rely on other motorists)

http://www.velogear.com.au/media/cat...bilty_vest.jpg


Etc.

For those cyclists that unlike me when I ride, didn't learn how to use their arms to indicate or don't think it's worthwhile.

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...safety, there's no excuse...

Aerodynamic wind proof hi vis, check out the name and remember the associated carnage...


Fluorescent Visibility HI VIZ Vented Cycle Bike Windbreaker Gilet Safety Vest | eBay