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

Jesus, is this thread still going?
It's real simple.
Cyclists: Don't be dicks
Drivers: Don't be dicks
Done.

Originally Posted by Disco Muppet

Jesus, is this thread still going?
It's real simple.
Cyclists: Don't be dicks
Drivers: Don't be dicks
Done.

LOL
I think you've nailed it.
It's a my dick is bigger than your dick competition.
The answer lies in whose is bigger.
So the thread will go on forever.
LOL

Originally Posted by Disco Muppet

Jesus, is this thread still going?
It's real simple.
Cyclists: Don't be dicks
Drivers: Don't be dicks
Done.

D*BAD!

You can even buy the tee shirt/jersey

Originally Posted by RHS58

I'm a MAMIL, and generally I ride solo or with my daughter or a friend.
I am also a cyclist aware driver and more so a vehicle aware cyclist.
Occasionally I ride in organised groups - not more than 20 or so cyclists.
When group riding we take safety very seriously. Our routes as much as possible are away from main roads and thoroughfares. We keep left as much as possible. We do ride 2 abreast, and go single file when required, and stop and let traffic by when safe to do so.
Occasionally it's safer for us to stay 2 abreast but squeeze in close to allow traffic to pass. We make a decision that 10 pairs of riders riding tight is easier for a vehicle to pass than 20 in single file.
Most of my group rides are organised and with police permits. We must and do abide by the rules these permits specify. We also on these organised rides generally raise a lot of money for worthwhile causes such as Children's Cancer Institute, (over $400,000 to date), Diabetes Australia, etc

I'm disheartened to see the animosity between protagonists on this forum.
Seems people just want to bitch rather than come up with some useful ways for cyclists and drivers to safely interact on the roads.
Realistically, I doubt that cyclists are going to be banned from the roads, or that cyclists are ever going to have to be registered.
So let's come up with some other solutions.

Hi RHS,

You do a good job with the fundraising, thank you.

I don't think all posters are bitching, and many have come up with solutions. Not everyone agrees and that's life.

Glad to hear you consider safety and avoid main roads. I've been passionate on the topic of mirrors, so far nobody has poo pooed that safety solution. Then there's flags, hi-vis etc. then limiting shared roads to those that are 60kph and less.

You seem like an experienced cycling chap, what solutions do you recommend to avoid the incompatibility of the vehicle types on some roads?

Otherwise I'm interested in what rules are in those permits you mentioned. Can you share some details of those rules?

Cheers.

Some of the police permit stipulated rules for our group rides are common sense, others not so and probably thought up by non cyclists.
Don't have the actual document to hand, but at least the police recognise that motor vehicles and cyclists have to coexist on the roads.
For instance, in no special order, some police stipulated, some ours:
All normal road rules (and fines for transgressions) apply.
Groups no bigger than 24
Groups not to string out (difficult on long up hill sections) - but we try to keep riders of similar abilities in the groups to avoid this)
Support vehicles front and rear with signs, flashing lights, 2 way radios
No alcohol (d'oh), iPods, phone etc.
Single file on major roads
2 abreast otherwise
Pull over or stop when safe to allow traffic to pass (seen some unbelievable and reckless overtaking manoeuvres by crazy unnecessarily road raged drivers)
Set times and distances between groups - not always possible (breakdowns may slow a group) but we try. Group stops if one of its riders breaks down eg flat tyre.
Daylight hours only (for our events)
Stop at stop signs - must unclip / remove foot from pedal and put one foot on ground (this is a difficult one if 20 riders in single file do this then crossing the intersection takes a long time...better to all bunch up and stop together and go as one tight group - currently each one of us has to stop at the line and put a foot down - not ideal.
We wear hi viz jerseys - supplied.
Enjoy smile and wave. Explain to people why we're riding and for which cause - makes a lot of drivers more tolerant if they know we're raising money for a worthwhile cause.

Originally Posted by RHS58

I'm a MAMIL, and generally I ride solo or with my daughter or a friend.

OK, I will ask the obvious question. What is a MAMIL? Never before heard the expression.

Middle aged man in lycra

Originally Posted by Saitch

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

Lakeside is used by Hamilton Pine Rivers Wheelers, for racing events. Our club (Ipswich Cycling Club) uses Willowbank Dragway for racing and training. So some motor racing circuits are being used by cyclists.

Cheers, Mick.